Isabella MacIver Thomson: The First Lewis Woman in Athabasca

Iseabail NicÌomhair NicThòmais: A’ chiad Bhana-Leòdhasach ann an Athabasca

Language: Dual Language Gaelic/English 

Thig còmhla ri Iseabail air turas air leth agus i a’ siubhal bho chladaichean Steòrnabhaigh gu raointean fiadhaich Fort Chipewyan. Ann an 1880, chuir am boireannach dàna seo, nach do dh'fhàg riamh eilean a h-òige, ’s gun facal Beurla aice, an aghaidh gach cunnart is gàbhadh gus am biodh i còmhla ris an duine aice air fàsaichean an-iochdmhor Chanada.

“Rinn gach neach a chuala càit an robh mi a’ dol, agus na trioblaidean a bhiodh mam choinneamh... an dearbh dhìcheall stad a chur orm bhon ghnothaich chunnartach a chuir mi romham.”

Thig còmhla ri Iseabail air an eachdraidh tharraingeach seo, far an toir gach duilleag thu nas fhaisge air cridhe boireannach iongantach agus a turas anabarrach do shaoghal ùr coimheach. Tha a sgeulachd a’ nochdadh an seo ann an Gàidhlig airson a’ chiad turais.

Embark on an extraordinary journey with Isabella or Ishbel as she was known as she ventures from the shores of Stornoway to the wilds of Fort Chipewyan. In 1880, this daring woman, who had never left her native island and spoke no English at the time, defied all odds to reunite with her husband in the untamed Canadian wilderness.

“All those who knew where I was going, and the difficulties I would have to surmount... did all in their power to dissuade me from my desperate undertaking.”

Join Isabella on this captivating adventure, where every page brings you closer to the heart of a remarkable woman and her incredible journey into the unknown. Her story appears here in Gaelic for the first time.

Published: 2025

ISBN: 978-1-907443-91-6

We gratefully acknowledge support from the Gaelic Books Council towards this publication.