Dates: 1860s

2016.50.1

Large wooden chest thought to belong to Captain Donald MacKinnon, Heanish, captain of the tea clipper ‘Taeping’, which sailed to victory in the Great Tea China Tea Race of 1866. Includes a note describing the link between the chest’s current owners, Mr & Mrs Brian Young, and the Captain. Brian Young’s mother, Irene MacKinnon Roxburgh, was a descendent of Captain Angus Lamont and Effie MacKinnon, who was Donald MacKinnon’s sister.

2016-50-1-note

2016.49.1

Bound list of Tiree Merchant Seaman Records compiled by John MacLean, Clydebank, in May 2012. Includes (a) a printed extract from the Register of Seamen’s Tickets 1845-1854 (BT113) held at the National Archives in Kew, listing ticket numbers, seaman’s first and last names, place and date born, first date at sea and designation (post held), age, and ticket details, (b) a list of Tiree Mariners 1848-1920 including ship’s name, mariner’s first and last names, age, birth place, current address, designation, voyage, and previous ship. See also 2010.53.14

2016.33.2

Bound booklet of transcribed excerpts regarding Tiree from the Autobiography and Memoirs of George Douglas, 8th Duke of Argyll (1823-1900).

Click here to view Tiree excerpts

2016.31.1

Large craggan made on Tiree in about 1870, bearing a handwritten label from the period.

The label reads “Croggan from Tyree 1879. Specimen of native pottery. The peculiar nature of the c[roggen] is suposed to render the milk boiled in it condusive to the cure of consumption. Presented by Rev. William Ross, October“.

William Ross was one of the founder members of the Archaeological and Physical Society of Bute, a group of Victorian gentlemen who put together a collection of objects and natural history specimens from around the world, thus forming the first Bute Museum. When the museum moved premises in 1907 it was decided that the collection would concentrate on Bute alone, and the non-Bute items were distributed. This Tiree craggan remained in the Bute Museum until it was given to An Iodhlann in April 2016. Includes a handwritten display label from the Bute Museum.

2016.31.12016.31.1-label

Tiree in 100 Objects – 19 – Craggan

The History of Tiree in 100 Objects

2016.26.1

Colour photograph of the grave stone of Hector Cameron, Balephuil (1836-1883), who emmigrated to Canada in the early 1860s with his brother Donald Cameron. Hector is buried in Belsyde Cemetery, Fergus, Wellington County, Ontario. Their mother was Catherine Black from Balephuil, who was also the mother of Ann MacLeod. Also named on the gravestone: Effie Cameron (1839-1915), Duncan Cameron (1863-1892), Libby Cameron (1875-1898), Mary Cameron Arnold (1871-1899).

W146

2016.8.1

Emailed information from Robyn Wiggs (Mackay), Australia, to Keith Dash, Australia, about Robyn’s ancestor Captain Colin Mackay (1839-1889) who was the Chief Constable of Argyllshire during the Crofter’s War of 1886, and who led the police expedition to quell the uprising on Tiree.

Extract: “… pertaining to the Crofter’s War 1886 which gives my great grandfather, Captain Colin Mackay, Chief Constable of Argyllshire, as the leader of the police expedition at that time.  I know he died 17 September 1889, Cormly/Comly? Building Lochgilphead, Argyll.  He is buried Achnabreac Cemetery Argyll.  … indicate he was a serving member of the Police at the time of his death… His headstone was erected by the members of the constabulary… His widow, Susan Mackay (Whyte/White), with their children immigrated to Australia to join their eldest son. From there our family continues.

 

2016.6.1

Photocopy of a hand-written account of the story of Donald ‘The Pilot’ MacLean, Ruaig (born 1727), who piloted Bonnie Prince Charlie’s rescue ship after the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The seven-page letter was written on small pieces of paper around 1900 by Donald’s grandson, also Donald MacLean (1817-1907), who lived at Hynish House. It begins “the following is what report I heard from my father over 70 years ago”.

Tiree in 100 Objects – 8 – Donald the Pilot

The History of Tiree in 100 Objects