The graves in the older part of Maraig cemetery are covered over with a thatch of matted dead grass. Only a few headstones stand proud, although there are lots of hidden marker stones – some no more than a chosen piece of gneiss upended in the ground. This ornate grave with its cast iron crosses attracted my attention. 

The inscription reads: In memory of Donald Ross McGuffie, youngest son of James McGuffie, Lightkeeper, who died are Island Glass lighthouse on 17th Nov 1897, aged 18 years.

That set me wondering what tragic events led the family to erect such a magnificent headstone to their son. Direcleit provide the answer by using some spare credits on Scotland’s People to access the record of young Donald’s death:

17 Nov 1897 3:45am  Island Glass, Scalpay, Harris (Mother’s Maiden Name: Annie Ross) Psoas Abscess  2 Years

The psoas is a long muscle that runs down the spine and across to the head of the femur and psoas abscess is an extremely rare condition where it become infected giving pain and fever and limiting movement. Today the abscess would be drained and treatment with modern antibiotics would lead to a rapid recovery. But at the end of the 19th century it would have meant months of incredible pain and a long lingering death. Two years of watching him suffer and deteriorate must have been heart breaking, leading the family to erect this monument.
 
Direcleit has more on the lightkeepers of EIlean Glas here.