Letter: More to history of island emigration

MARY M Green (Letters, 31 October) is mistaken by scornfully accusing Donald Trump's mother of not visiting Lewis after she emigrated. I believe Mrs Trump visited Lewis on many occasions.

Like many other islanders, Mary MacLeod (Mrs Trump) emigrated after the First World War because of lack of employment. The 'land fit for heroes' promised during the war was not implemented by the government after the armistice and as a result thousands of islanders left for foreign shores.

Commenting on the exodus of young men and women from the Western Isles, a contemporary magazine stated: "They presented a splendid appearance, the standard of physique being exceptionally high and they are sure to be an acquisition to the land of their adoption."

The Western Isles will never make up the population lost in the First World War and the emigrations that followed in the inter-war years, 1920-1938. Out of every hundred people of Lewis, to the four killed in the war a further ten went forth to exile. The regimental magazine of the Seaforth Highlanders reported: "What is Canada's gain is unfortunately our loss." Despite the heavy losses sustained by the Western Isles in the two world wars they have not received any reward from the British government.

Donald J MacLeod, Bridge of Don