Specification of the fishing boat ‘Duchess of Argyll’
Transcription of a letter of 1860 from Malcolm Liston of Granton regarding the specifications of the fishing boat ‘Duchess of Argyll’.
Courtesy of His Grace the Duke of Argyll
In 1860 the 8th Duke of Argyll commissioned Malcolm Liston, a boat builder in Granton, to build a ‘first class fishing boat’ costing £130. Named the ‘Duchess of Argyll’, the boat was delivered to Tiree and let out to local fisherman.
Much larger than the average Tiree boat of 22 feet, the ‘Duchess’ was the latest in a series of attempts to encourage local fishermen who, since the rich fishing banks offshore were discovered in the 18th century, had been unable to compete with the bigger boats and superior equipment of crews from the north-east and other islands.
The ‘Duchess’ lasted only ten years. Because of her size, she was difficult to pull up on the beach and had to be moored offshore. In 1871, during a gale, the anchor chain tore out the stern, broke the mooring and she drifted ashore among the rocks at Hynish and was smashed.
Photograph of Dr Alexander Buchanan, Medical Officer for Tiree 1860-1911.
Courtesy of Mr Hugh MacKinnon
In 1860 Dr. Alexander Buchanan, a 25 year old surgeon newly qualified from Edinburgh, was appointed Tiree’s Medical Officer. He was given the tenancy of Baugh farm as a living by the Duke of Argyll.
He married Colina Campbell, daughter of the tenant of Balephetrish farm, and the couple had six children. From a farming background himself, he was no doubt helped in the running of his 160 acre farm by his wife’s family.
Dr Buchanan worked until his death in 1911 aged 75. It was said his patients would feel better at the sound of his oilskins rustling. On his death a monument was erected on Cnoc Eibrig in Baugh to a ‘Medical officer and loved and valued friend of the islanders’.
Black and white photograph of Dr Alexander Buchanan, 1835-1911.
Dr Alexander Buchanan, 1835-1911, Medical Officer for Tiree from 1860 to his death in 1911.
Photocopied extract from book `Annals of the Free Church of Scotland 1842-1900` edited by Rev William Ewing, D.D., Vol I: pp 160, 234, 248, Vol II: pp 121-123.
Biographical information about Free Church ministers who served Tiree.
