Olympian in Sleat

Donald Archie MacDonald, known as Archie ‘Mór’ MacDonald was born in 1895 in Sasaig in south Skye. He was a policeman who was also an Olympic medal holding wrestler. Reflections from Neil MacKinnon on knowing Archie -

Neil got to know Archie 'Mor' Macdonald when he was working for the Hydro Electricity Board in the 1950s. He would be doing jobs in Archie's house in Ferindonald and got to know him. He was a lovely man, a real gentleman and had led an interesting life. He retired to his native Skye after a career in the Glasgow Police where he had been an accomplished piper.

Neil was fascinated by the framed medals on display in Archie's house, not that Archie was talking about it but they were there for anyone to see...an Olympic medal, won by this Skyeman for wrestling. He won the Olympic bronze medal for wrestling in Paris in 1924.

Neil had first-hand experience of this retired gentleman's physical strength. Situated by the door to the house were two quorn stones (milling stones) which Archie said (and demonstrated on request) that he lifted each above his head every day, and by this time the man was in his 60s! Neil as a young man in his twenties couldn't lift them above his head, he recounts! Neil in those days wore a bib and brace (dungarees) not a boilersuit and for a laugh Archie once lifted him up off the ground by the back of his dungarees!

Another time, he was passing on the road in Ferindonald in his van with his electrical 'journeyman' beside him and they noticed a strange sight appearing from the shore - it was like a giant beetle. Neil thought he was seeing things! In fact it was Archie walking up with his rowing boat on his back and the seats of the boat across his chest - no bother to him! On asking locals about it they remarked oh yes, he does that regularly! The medal is now held in the collection at the Armadale Castle Museum.

Told on behalf of Neil MacKinnon

More information on visiting the area can be found here.