Photocopy of an academic paper ‘Brochs and the Hebridean Iron Age’ by Euan W. MacKie published in the journal Antiquity XXXIV, 1965. Includes section on Dùn Mor Vaul.
Associated People: MacKie, Mr Euan, Tiree
2016.69.3
Copy or transcript of a paper on ‘The Excavation of the Broch at Vaul, Tiree, 1962-1964’, produced by the Hunterian Museum, University of Glasgow.
Click here to view 2016.69.3
2013.132.1
2013.132.2
2005.115.1
2005.115.2
Cornaig mill in 1962
Photograph of the interior of Cornaig mill in 1962.
Courtesy of Dr Euan Mackie
This photograph of the interior of Cornaig mill was taken in 1962 by Dr Euan Mackie of the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow. The shaft from the water wheel which turned the grinding stones can be seen protruding through the wall.
The other end of the mill was taken up with the ‘àth’, or drying kiln, which was fired with coal and driftwood washed ashore during the winter. Grain had to be dried before milling and great skill was needed in making sure it did not toast too fast or the flour would be left with a bitter taste.
The grain was poured on to slotted iron sheets above the kiln and two men, with white cloths tied over their boots, turned the grain at intervals with wooden shovels until it was toasted brown.
Black and white photograph of the interior of Cornaig mill in 1962.
The interior of Cornaig mill showing the millstone, photographed Dr Euan Mackie in 1962. (Original in Filing Cabinet 8 drawer 4)
2000.162.1
Audio cassette recording of a lecture about brochs given by Dr Euan Mackie in Vaul Golf Clubhouse in July 2000.
Recording of a lecture illustrated with slides given by Dr Euan Mackie in Vaul Golf Clubhouse in July 2000. Dr Mackie talks about the construction and architectural features of brochs across Scotland, the deterioration of many sites and current theories about their evolution from earlier structures. Their uses as defensive structures or as housing for an elite are discussed in a short Q&A session.
2000.172.1
Audio cassette recording of George Holleyman talking to Dr Euan Mackie in An Iodhlann on 26/7/2000.
George Holleyman talks to Dr Euan Mackie of the Hunterian Museum, Glasgow in July 2000 about the Stone Age flints, bronze objects and Iron Age pottery that he found in Balevullin and Balephuil while he was a service policeman on Tiree during 1941 to 1943. Also present are Ian Atkins of Balephuil and Maggie Campbell of Kilmoluaig.
2000.95.3
Dr Euan Mackie talking about the Vaul broch
Sound clip in English of Dr Euan Mackie talking in 2000 about the excavation of the broch at Vaul.
Courtesy of Dr Euan Mackie
Dr Euan Mackie, Honorary Research Fellow of the Hunterian Museum at the University of Glasgow and director of the excavation of Dùn Mòr in Vaul, talks to Dr John Holliday in April 2000 about the implications of the dig for Scottish archaeology and for himself personally.
Initially Dr Mackie requested permission from Argyll Estates to excavate a machair site at Balevullin where A. Henderson Bishop had found Iron Age pottery and other artefacts in 1912. This was refused because the area was used for grazing cattle.
An alternative site of the broch at Vaul was acceptable. Dr Mackie directed the excavations there over three seasons in the early 1960s which produced a wealth of material from the late 6th or 5th century B.C. to the 2nd or 3rd century A.D. The finds are stored in the Hunterian Museum in Glasgow.
2000.95.1
Harry Kelly talking about Catriona McKinnon of Vaul
Sound clip in English of Harry Kelly talking about Catriona MacKinnon of Vaul.
Courtesy of Mr Harry Kelly
Former chemistry teacher Harry Kelly of Glasgow was recorded in April 2000 talking to Dr John Holliday about the time he spent in the early 1960s as a volunteer at the excavation of the Iron Age broch at Vaul.
When his tent was washed out by rain soon after his arrival, Harry was offered lodgings by Catriona MacKinnon of Rhum View in Vaul. Catriona was a mine of information about life on Tiree in the 1930s.
Much to Harry’s surprise, she had made her own pottery from local clay and dyed cloth with lichens. In this clip, Harry talks about the method she used to make pots.














Click here to open the sound file s2000-95-3.mp3.