Grave times

This is an old grave in the cemetery in the village. Unlike all of the other graves, which are marked by headstones or simple boulders, this has a rather grand enclosure. It is the grave of one of the children from the Helm family - one of the tenant farmers from the south who came to Lewis after the clearances to "farm" the crofts as a single, large unit. This family lost several children and the family line died out (there is a wonderful local tale of a curse put upon them for their involvement in the trauma of the clearances!). What a wonderful spot to lie for eternity, close to the old early-Christian chapel - but I always think it is sad that they came here to start a new life and had such a tragic history.