Dr John Holliday’s next batch of articles in the series titled ‘The History of Tiree in 100 Objects‘, originally published in An Tirisdeach, are now available to view on our website. Click here to view object numbers 51 to 75.
The busy people at Argyll Estates’ archive at Inveraray Castle have just sent us this latest update on the Written in the Landscape project, including their plans to bring over a number of items not seen before on Tiree during 13 – 17 May 2019.
A new short film commissioned by the Tiree Maritime Trust, and supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, is the result of a project in which Tiree’s young people researched and presented their maritime heritage. Some of the filming took place in An Iodhlann, and many of the old photographs are from our archive. You can watch the film through the Maritime Trust’s website.
We recently received several digitised documents from Inveraray Archives through the Written in the Landscape project, and there are plans for an exhibition of items from the archive next spring. Please click here for more information.
An Iodhlann’s building is enjoying a fresh new look. The whole exterior has been stripped of its salt-spray, lichen growth and peeling paint, and re-painted in its traditional livery. With the addition of new signs, flags and bench, the building looks more ‘alive’ and welcoming, and we are already seeing an increase in the number of visitors. In May alone, there were almost twice as many visitors as in May 2017.
The bench is a lovely addition and is being much used. It was donated by the family of the late Mairi Campbell who was heavily involved with An Iodhlann, and whose expert knowledge of the island is very much missed. Since the above photo was taken, a memorial plaque has been attached to the bench.
After over two years of planning, fundraising and preparation, An Iodhlann’s new exhibition at the Airport is now complete and is looking great. There is a display about the history of the airport in the Arrivals lounge and one about emigration in Departures. An Iodhlann is grateful to John MacCaskill and staff at the airport for providing and preparing the spaces, and to the Tiree Trust for providing Windfall funding.
Lastest news from Keith Dash’s Isle of Tiree Genealogy website: “Recent entries by Allison McKinnon to the Overseas Cemetery Records page of the are excellent examples of what is now possible in the new version of the webpage. In particular, I draw attention to her entries for the Glen Bard Cemetery, Nova Scotia, named after Bard John MacLean of Tiree (www.keithdash.net/OCR/OCR58.pdf), the Stewartdale Cemetery, Nova Scotia (www.keithdash.net/OCR/OCR60.pdf) and the Minto Cemetery, Manitoba (www.keithdash.net/OCR/OCR56.pdf).”
Scanned copy of a Christmas card posted from RAF Tiree to Wales in 1944. It reads “From daddie with love to little Heddus [who was born only 8 weeks previously] and Mum”. The poem in Welsh translates roughly as “With hope that your Chirstmas will be full of song / To snow, or not to snow, may your world be purely white”. LAC John Roberts was stationed on Tiree in 1944-45.
The excavation of the mound at Kirkapol has been completed and the ground returned to its previous state. Many Tiree residents and visitors joined the professional archaeologists in the dig, and they made some wonderful findings. Dr John Holliday has written a short report on the excavation for An Iodhlann’s website. You can read it here.
The Heritage Lottery Fund has granted An Iodhlann £10,000 to organise the excavation of what is thought to be a Bronze Age, or even Viking, grave at Kirkapol. The excavation will be led by professional archaeologists who will be looking for assistance from local volunteers. Watch this space for more information…
