Colin MacPhail and Captain David Barclay
Photograph of Colin MacPhail of Crossapol and Captain David Barclay at Renfrew Airport in 1965.
Courtesy of Mr Ailig MacArthur
Manager of Tiree airport from 1936 to 1960, Colin MacPhail is pictured here with Captain David Barclay at Renfrew Airport in 1965. Colin was also a lay preacher and special constable. As one of his contemporaries said of him, “He had bracelets in one pocket and the Bible in the other.”
His duties included keeping the landing strip clear of cattle at plane times and to raise the windsock. David Barclay was always looking for an opportunity to play practical jokes on Colin and would often fly in as low as possible, hiding his presence until the last moment.
One day Colin slept in and was late for the flight. A tall man, he had a huge bicycle with a 30 inch frame. He was pedalling furiously towards the Reef when David Barclay flew up behind him. Colin took out his handkerchief and held it up as a windsock!
Black and white photograph of Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and Captain David Barclay in 1965.
Renfrew Airport in 1965. L-R: Colin MacPhail of Crossapol and Captain David Barclay taken during Captain Barclay`s retirement ceremony. (Original in Filing Cabinet 8 drawer 2)
Black and white photograph of Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and Captain David Barclay in 1965.
Renfrew Airport in 1965. L-R: Colin MacPhail of Crossapol and Captain David Barclay taken during Captain Barclay`s retirement ceremony. (Original in Filing Cabinet 8 drawer 2)
Black and white photograph of Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and Captain Eric Starling in 1961.
L-R: Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and Captain Eric Starling outside Tiree airport at Colin`s retirement in 1961.
Black and white photograph of Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and Captain David Barclay in 1965.
Renfrew 1965. L- R: Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and Captain David Barclay at Captain Barclay`s retirement ceremony.
Black and white photograph of Captain David Barclay, Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and Robert McKean in 1965.
Captain Barclay`s retirment ceremony in Renfrew, 1965. L-R: Captain David Barclay, Colin MacPhail, Crossapol and BEA Scotland Manager Robert McKean.
Two black and white photographs taken at Captain David Barclay`s retirement ceremony in 1965
Captain David Barclay`s retirement celebration in Renfrew 1965.
Notebook of weather observations made by Colin MacPhail, Crossapol.
Notebook of handwritten weather observations made by Colin MacPhail of Crossapol from May 1942 to November 1943.
Policeman`s baton.
Wooden baton with leather wrist strap originally belonging to Colin MacPhail of Crossapol who was a special policeman for many years around the 1930s.
Tiree in 100 Objects – 90 – Police baton
The History of Tiree in 100 Objects
Black and white photograph of Colin MacPhail of Crossapol.
Colin MacPhail of Crossapol, Tiree airport manager until his retirement in 1961. (Original in Filing Cabinet 4 drawer1)
