Biography

Andrew Noble was born in Harris in 1823. He was the son of Thomas Noble from Kirkhill and Catriona Fraser. Thomas was a teacher in Harris at one point, possibly around 1820 in Pabay, and taught in the Isle of Skye and possibly North Uist. He had a family of eight children: three boys and five girls. Although it is unclear whether Andrew was born before the family left Kirkhill, it is known that he spent some time at Inchberry School where Latin was taught.

Andrew married Margaret MacKenzie and was a missionary, catechist, and teacher who spent around twenty years working in the Isle of Skye. He was highly respected as an evangelist even though he never held the formal role of minister.

In the periodical Gairm 85, the Reverend John MacInnes from Fortrose wrote about what he heard as a youth about Andrew Noble: "He was a polite, honest man of unblemished character. He was not one to be controlling as some in his position were."

Reverend MacInnes recounted an incident when poor Andrew was questioning a crowd at a house in Ramasaig. At the time, there was a shepherd from Harris, described as a "small strong man with sharp words and renowned for his sharp speech and sarcasm." The shepherd arrived in Ramasaig, hungry and thirsty after travelling a distance to see his relations. He opened the door and was not happy with what he saw. Reverend MacInnes stated:

"Most of the Ramasaig locals were sitting comfortably in the kitchen with Andrew Noble, the local preacher, at the head." The Catechesis was taking place, and a young boy, apparently timid and shy, was grappling with 'the effectual calling' or 'justice though faith'. It looked as though the Catechesis could last for a few hours yet. The shepherd was not pleased, hungry and thirsty as he was. He planned to stop the good work and had his own way of doing so. He warmly welcomed his fellow people. 'You do not have to question this nice boy. He has the answers on the tip of his tongue, I'm sure of it.' And then he looked at Andrew, and smiled at him, and said: 'Ah, Andrew, I am glad to see you today, fulfilling such a blessed duty. It was not always like this. Many a happy night we had together long ago in Portree. But that was before the change of grace came upon you. But, do you remember that day on the top of Drum Ùidh, the day you and the Big Tinker fought? I have not seen such a swift brawl since that very day. I was proud of you for taking him on.' Andrew had to finish the Catechesis before the Harris shepherd remembered any more stories."

Kenneth Campbell, a merchant, owned a yacht named the Hilda. At the time the song Òran a' Hilda was composed by Andrew Noble, people from Scalpay would pray in Tabert, and weddings, baptisms and Communion services also took place there. Two ministers wanted over to Skye after the Communion services, and Kenneth Campbell took them over.

Andrew Noble died at the age of 76 on the 28th of May 1899 in Lephin, Glendale. He is buried in Glendale.

List of compositions

Òran a' Hilda