Williamina Barclay

Williamina McIntosh Barclay MBE (5 March 1883 – 15 July 1975) was a nurse who was one of the main initiators of the evacuation of the Scottish archipelago St Kilda.

Biography Barclay was born in Glasgow to Jessie Maxwell and Andrew Barclay, who was an engineer. The severity of these conditions peaked during the harsh winter of 1929–1930, which caused several islanders to question whether they should continue living on St Kilda.

As of 1930, thirteen men, ten women, eight girls and five boys lived in St Kilda, all on Hirta. The 10 households rented cottages from the landowner, with the other six cottages being unoccupied. The evacuation was encouraged by Barclay who was very concerned about health issues, especially after the deaths of two young women. The islanders finally agreed and the majority signed a petition on 10 May 1930, stating that "it would be impossible to stay on the island another winter." The plan was supported by Dugald Munro, the missionary and schoolteacher, and by Nurse Barclay.

One reliable source states that "officials found forestry work for the men, and most of them were settled at Lochaline near Oban, while other families went to live at Strome Ferry, Ross-shire, Culcabock near Inverness, and at Culross, Fife".