Pipe wind cap from Calum (Salum) MacLean’s shop in Salum. Round metal cap for placing over the end of a smoker’s pipe in order to prevent the wind from disturbing the tabacco. These were used by sailors, crofters when in the hay barns, or by those not wanting holes burned into their clothes.
Red ‘Orfeo’ accordion belonging to Robert Nisbet, Heanish. Includes travel case.
Framed oil painting of Captain Donald MacKinnon, Heanish (1827-1867), who sailed the ‘Taeping’ to victory in the Great China Tea Race of 1866. It was painted by the artist Lai-Sung, based in Hong-Kong, who painted many paintings of sailing ships during 1850-1885.
The two images are of the painting before and after restoration by Egan, Matthews & Rose, Dundee (© Egan, Matthews & Rose 2022).
Ornate glass walking stick presented to Captain Donald MacKinnon, Heanish, in recognition of his achievement in winning the great China Tea Race of 1866. From the estate of Robert Nisbet, Heanish. The silk ribbons were added later to hang the walking stick.
Small, round, brass ‘Aneroid’ barometer belonging to Robert Nisbet, Heanish, and thought to have come from the tea clipper ‘Taeping’ that was sailed to victory in the Great China Tea Race of 1866 by Captain Donald MacKinnon, Heanish.
Portrait photograph of Kenneth Nisbet Mure QC (1947-2016) in barrister’s wig and gown. From the estate of Robert Nisbet, Heanish.
Kenneth Mure’s mother lived on Tiree, and while he lived in Giffnock, he retained a holiday home on the island. Graduating from Glasgow University, he was qualified in both Scots and English law, and was an expert in revenue and property law. Mr Mure became a highly respected Advocate for Scotland in 1975, and took silk as a Queen’s Council for the UK in 1989.
He left over £3m in his will to create the Misses Nisbet Educational Fund, a trust that would be used for “the advancement in education and that for the benefit of residents or former residents of Tiree and in particular those who have attended school in Tiree and such other persons who in the opinion of the trustees have a substantial personal or family connection with Tiree.”
Green Cornaigmore School tie belonging to Michael Holliday, Baugh, around 2000, with a label bearing his name sown to the back.
Piece of patterned vaul-ware pottery from the inner west wall of Dùn Mòr Vaul (NM 04225 49270), collected by John Wombell during a North of Scotland Archaeological Society (NOSAS) field trip in June 2017.
Small round wall-clock from either Skerryvore Lighthouse or the Scarinish Light, which came into the possession of Donald Brown’s uncle in Vaul.
Chanter belonging to Captain Lachlan MacPhail, Tiree and Glasgow (1889-1961), who was a great piper and writer of Gaelic poems and bagpipe tunes, and who had a pipe tune named after him. The chanter was presented to An Iodhlann by his eldest grandson on behalf of Lachlan’s three daughters Isabel, Cath and Margaret, who spent the holidays in Tiree in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s.
