Ann Morrison was born in Strond, Isle of Harris, in about 1800. Her father was Ewen Morrison, whose father was the Gobha Mor – the blacksmith of Stangigearry, on the hills above Scarista. She was married to Donald MacLean, son of William MacLean who came from Mull to work on the farm of Strond. Ann and Donald emigrated to Cape Breton in 1826 with their sons Ewen and John and settled on a site on the shore at St Anns where they raised a further five children – Rachel, Neil, Mary, Sarah and William.

They joined the church congregation of one of their neighbours – Rev. Norman MacLeod from Stoer. He was a spell-binding preacher, and many joined his congregation at St Anns, although his rules were very strict and very firmly enforced.

In the 1840s potato blight struck Cape Breton and life became much more difficult. Rev. Norman set off for Australia and by the time Ann and Donald were getting ready to join him, they got word that he was disappointed in Australia and had moved on to New Zealand.

So, they set off in December 1857 for Auckland in the Breadalbane, then to Whangerie on the way to the settlement at Waipu, where they eventually settled.

The settlement in Waipu prospered and much of its history has been preserved in the “House of Memories” in Waipu.