Porthole from the WWII warship, HMS Sturdy, which was wrecked on rocks off Sandaig during a storm in 1940. The porthole has been re-painted by Donald Brown, Vaul, and decorated with a sketch of the ship. The stainless steel bolts and backing (made from an old fish box) were added by Donald.
Articles about the loss of the RAF bomber that went missing in action over the English Channel during WWII, carrying Charles McLean (1917-1941), son of Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay and Linlithgow. (1) Newspaper article written around the event. It is not clear whether those missing included Charles, but the description fits the event. (2) Print-out of article from ‘Aircrew Remembered’ written by Donald Price, nephew of Charles McLean, in 2017 aircrewremembered.com/halley-george-charlton. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Digital book and video of an art project ‘Along/between/across: Sand, Grass, Wind, Brick, Studio’ centred around the exploration and artistic expression of Tiree’s natural environment. Researched during a two-week stay on Tiree in summer 2018 by Sabine Kussmaul of the University of Chester.
Click here for project brief ; video Wind, Water, Rhythms
A large book of photographs of temporary installations and on-site drawings, named ‘Practice Routes, Side lines, Undercurrents’, is held on An Iodhlann’s archive computer (too large to upload).
Research article by Rena Maguire, 2019, about reconstructing a Bronze Age horse’s bridal made using a deer antler tine for a bit cheek piece. A similar antler tine, also thought to be a bit cheek piece, was found amongst items excavated from Dun Mor Vaul by Euan Mackie in 1962-1964. Entry includes extracts from associated papers.
Click here for link to article
Softback book ‘Shore Lines – word pictures from an island’ by Donald E Meek, 2019. A collection of verse in English composed by Donald Meek, Caoles, about his life on Tiree from the 1950s to the present. Signed by Donald for An Iodhlann.
Copy of a page from An Tirisdeach 679 about a visit to Tiree by the Free Czechoslovak Air Force Associates, an organisation dedicated to remembering the Czech men and women who served in the RAF during WW2. Includes a detailed biography of Flying Officer Leonard Revilliod (1922-1944) who died in a mid-air collision over Island House in 1944.
Click here to view 2019.63.1
Hardback book ‘Inspired by Chance’ by artist Kirsty Laird, Edinburgh & Brock, 2019. Photographs, descriptions and background of some of Kirsty Laird’s driftwood sculptures made while on Tiree. Includes a section about Kirsty’s background and life. An inscription reads “For John Holliday and An Iodhlann, the gift of this book, in response a long life-time of my love for Tiree”.
Music CD ‘This is how the ladies dance’ by Eabhal with Jamie MacDonald, Ruaig.
Photocopy of a magazine article about the changing fortunes of Basking Sharks in British waters, 2019.
Lapel or cap badge of RAF 518 Squadron found on a sports field in South Island, New Zealand, in 2019 (32 x 20 mm). Made in Birmingham by HW Miller – medal, badge and button manufacturers since the 1930s. 518 Squadron – Meteorological Observers was stationed on Tiree during WWII. Only a handful of New Zealand men served at RAF Tiree, and it is presumed that the badge belonged to one of them and was dropped on his returned to New Zealand. The badge depicts a hand holding a key with the inscription ‘Tha an Iuchair againn-ne / We hold the key’.
