Black and white photograph of the Tiree Pipe Band at Cornaigmore.
The Tiree Pipe Band at Coll in 1967 Pipe Major Robert Beck (extreme left taldks to Piper Hector J. C. Campbell (2nd left).
1997.155.2
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Associated People: Beck, Mr Robert, Ruaig (1926 - 2014)
1997.155.5
Black and white photograph of the Tiree Pipe Band.
The Tiree Pipe Band at the Tiree Association Sports on 22nd July 1967. L-R: (back row) Gordon Connell, James Baxter, ? Campbell, Hugh MacLean, Stewart Langley, Neil MacPhail, Lachlan MacFadyen, (front row) vet Robert Beck, Colin Brown, Hugh MacEachern, Ann Sinclair, Alasdair Sinclair, Hector J. C. Campbell.
1997.155.6
Robert Beck at the 1967 Pipe Band World Championships
Photograph of Robert Beck at the Pipe Band World Championships in 1967.
Courtesy of Mr Robert Beck
The Tiree Pipe Band competed at the World Championships in Oban in 1967 and won second prize in Grade 4. In this photograph Robert Beck is seen receiving the prize from Lady MacLean.
Robert was Tiree’s vet from 1959 to 1974. As chairman of the agricultural sub-committee of the Tiree Council of Social Services he spearheaded a very successful community effort that resulted in Tiree being the first brucellosis-free area in the world. Brucellosis is an infectious disease with no cure that causes abortion in cattle and fevers, anxiety and depression in humans.
Robert went on to work on the staff of the Dick Vet School in Edinburgh. He retired in 1994 and settled in Ruaig with his wife Sheena. He still plays the pipes and tutors children at the local school.
Black and white photograph of Robert Beck of the Tiree Pipe Band at the World Championships in 1966.
Vet Robert Beck of the Tiree Pipe Band at the World Championships in 1966.
1997.155.8
Black and white photograph of the Tiree Pipe Band arriving at the World Championships in Oban in 1967.
Oban Times photograph of the Tiree Pipe Band arriving at the World Championships in Oban in 1967. Apart from the Pipe Band, the other Tiree people in the picture are William Sloan (secretary of RSPBA), Seumas MacNeill, Professor Donald Meek, Iain Lamont, Mrs Sheena Beck and her sons Drew and Robin.
1997.155.4
Black and white photograph of the Tiree Pipe Band at the Tobermory Games in 1966.
The Tiree Pipe Band at the Tobermory Games in 1966. L-R: (back row) Colin Brown, Neil MacPhail, L. MacFadyen, (front row) vet Robert Beck, Hugh MacLean, Hector J. C. Campbell.
1997.229.1
Tiree blacksmiths in the 20th century
Sound clip in English of retired vet Robert Beck talking about the blacksmiths on Tiree in the 20th century.
Courtesy of Mr Robert Beck
Retired veterinary surgeon Robert Beck talks about the number of blacksmiths on Tiree within living memory during a public talk on the subject of Scotland’s native horse given at the 1997 Feis Thiriodh. In 1945 there were over four hundred working horses on the island providing ample work for eight smiddies.
The Tiree Clydesdale was in great demand in the early 20th century especially for work in the towns. Derived from cross-breeding a superior type of native pony introduced to Tiree in the early 1800s with Clydesdales brought in by Tom Barr in the 1870s, they were tougher and faster than mainland-bred draught horses.
Many crofters kept one or two brood mares which were also worked. Three stallions, two Clydesdale and one Highland pony, ‘walked’ the island, kept by Hector Campbell of Cornaigmore, John MacLean of the Brae, Cornaigbeg and Donald MacIntyre of Gott.
2002.101.8
Photographic slide of Robert Beck taken around 1965.
Vet Robert Beck playing the pipes at a Sports Day at Cornaigmore School around 1965.
1997.36.3
Photocopy of letter from J. Steele, Regional Vetinary Officer, Ayr, dated 8/7/1969, to vet Robert Beck.
Congratulations to all concerned with the Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme on Tiree.
1997.36.4
Photocopy of letter of 22/1/1969 from W. R. Wilson, Divisional Vetinary Officer, to vet Robert Beck.
Reiteration of an offer of assistance to the crofting community on Tiree re the Brucellosis Scheme.
1997.36.6
Draft letter dated September 1968 from Tiree Council of Social Service to the Divisionary Vetinary Officer.
Draft letter from theTiree County Councillor and Robert Beck, vet and Chairman of the Agricultural Sub-Committee, on the advisability of the cattle owners of Tiree to join the Brucellosis Accredited Herds Scheme while the cattle are still free from infection.