A selection of butter shaping tools including paddles, a stamp and a curler. From the estate of Angus MacLean, Sea View Caoles, latterly Scarinish. From c.1880s onwards.
2024.22.1
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Dates: 1880s
2024.9.9
Yesterday’s News No. 9 – The loss of the Nancy of Dublin
From a collection of historical accounts by Dr John Holliday
2024.9.2
Yesterday’s News No. 2 – Cornaig Church
From a collection of historical accounts by Dr John Holliday
2024.1.1
Newspaper article – from the Newcastle Herald, Australia, Thursday Mar 2, 2000. John MacFadyen emigrated from Tiree to Australia. He is third from the left and has “Trea McFadyn” on his L arm. He was the treasurer of the miners’ union when he died of pneumonia at 67 years, 11 September 1900. He worked his way up from the pits to being a Checkwayman.
2022.32.2
Digitised copy of a letter from D MacInnes to Lord Archibald Campbell, 7 April 1885.
In the letter MacInnes (4 Battery Terrace, Oban) describes a conversation with an unnamed Tiree man who was born and brought up on the farm of ‘Hianous’ (perhaps Heanish). This unnamed man believes that the people of Tiree are better treated than on any other estate, but that only one half of the population can afford a comfortable living. He describes the situation on the farm of Scarinish, and mentions Sandy MacLean. He writes that four of the crofts there each maintain a horse, two cows, and a ‘stirk or two’ for £15 rent, and that the tenants have ‘unrestrained liberty’ to use as much sea ware (seaweed) as they like for manure and kelp making.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
2022.32.1
Digitised copy of an article entitled ‘New Method of Working Seaweed’ by Edward C C Stanford, F.C.S., c.1884. Stanford was the Chairman of the Glasgow and West of Scotland Section of the Society of Chemical Industry.
The article describes a process invented to supersede the plan of burning seaweed into Kelp ash, and mentions that works were erected in Tiree and North Uist in 1863 to carry it out this process. Contains tables of cost of working different amounts of seaweed, the cost of materials, the value of the produce, and the advantages of the new process.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
2022.31.7
Digitised copy letter regarding erecting a pier at Gott Bay, undated (c.1880s). The letter outlines the troubles with constructing a pier at Gott bay, due to the force of the wind and waves particularly during the winter, as well as the high cost of estimates for the work (between £7,000 and £13,360) as well as the cost of maintenance. The writer refers to the reluctance of engineers to undertake the project, and also mentions the Report of the late Western Highlands and Islands Commission. The writer also refers to a recent accident involving a boat being upset in Gott Bay while attending on a steamer. Neither the recipient or writer is identified.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
2022.31.4
Digitised copy of a Report of Enquiries made regarding Donald Sinclair, 20 August 1886.
Donald Sinclair was a joiner and Chairman of the Land Law Reform Association and one of the six arrested crofters who were taken to Inveraray. The report details how Sinclair was convicted on charges of theft in October 1877 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, after breaking into a spirit shop at 55 London Street, Glasgow, and stealing beer or porter, champagne and gin.
Enclosed is a copy of a statement made by Neil MacKinnon (24 Raglan Street, Glasgow), a childhood friend of Sinclair. MacKinnon provides details of Sinclair’s good character, particularly following his time in prison, and claims that Sinclair is now an evangelist, teaches Sunday School and preaches, and that he is a fluent speaker in Gaelic on religious and political subjects. MacKinnon also provides details of Sinclair’s marriage to the daughter of ‘the largest merchant in Tiree’. The following people gave evidence on behalf of Sinclair: Mr McIntyre (publican), Mr McKechnie (the contractor), John McDonald (watchman), Donald McKechnie (contractor’s foreman). Apart from the publican, these were all natives of Tiree.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
2022.31.3
Digitised copy of Tiree Estate, Improvements &c done for Crofters, 1878-1885. The list is organised by year and contains details of improvements, repairs to buildings, charity and ‘miscellaneous’ works along with their costs. Works performed include fencing, drainage, ditches, dykes, and roofing. There are records of charitable works, such as supplying seed potatoes to crofters, and providing assistance for replacing a boat, the purchase of livestock, and animals, or for building repairs.
The following names appear in the record, and some names appear more than once:
Lachlan McLean (Cornaigbeg), Malcolm McDougall (removed from Heanish), John McLean (Caoles), Alexander, Neil and Donald McFadyen (Caoles), John McLean (Balephuil), Widow Murdoch Campbell (removed from Balinoe), Widow Catherine McKinnon (Kilmoluaig), Donald McCallum (smith and crofter, possibly Kilmoluaig), Donald McPhee (crofter, Balemartine), Captain William Sinclair (Mannal), Widow Murdoch Brown (Mannal), John McKinnon (Balephuil), Angus McArthur (crofter, Balemartine), John Brown (Mannal), Colin Henderson (Balemartine), Widow Alexander Henderson (Balemartine), Rev John McFarlane (Balinoe), Archibald, Donald and John Campbell (farmers, Balinoe), Neil McKinnon (Moss), John Morrison (son in law of Neil Morrison [deceased], Moss), Donald McDougall (Balephuil), Donald McFarlane (Balemartine), Angus McInnes (Kilmoluaig), Alexander Livingston (Heanish), Rev Duncan McFarlane (Heanish), Hugh McKinnon Junior (crofter and packet man, Heanish), G B Smith & Co (Glasgow), Alexander and John McFadyen (Barrapol), A & J McFadyen (Balemartine), James Brown (Balemartine), Hector McDonald (Caoles & Ardess), Archibald McDonald (Caoles & Ardess), Widow Neil McKinnon (Heanish), John McDonald (Heanish), Angus Munn (Heanish), Neil Campbell (Balinoe), Archibald McLean (Balemartine), Donald Campbell (Balemartine), Donald McLean, (Balemartine), Widow Mary McLean (Crofter, Vaul), John McPhail (crofter, Cornaigmore), John McLean (crofter, Kilmoluaig), John Cameron (Moss), P & R Fleming & Co (Glasgow), Hector McPhail (Cornaigmore), Hugh McLean Junior (Caoles), Donald Kennedy (Balevulin).
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
2022.31.2
Digitised copy of a letter from the Board of Supervision, to the Duke of Argyll, dated 26 November 1885 regarding the care of paupers in Tiree. A copy letter from D McPhail, Inspector of Poor in Tiree, dated 26 October 1885, is enclosed. McPhail writes regarding the death of Janet McLean or McFadyen (pauper, Balinoe) who lived alone and was found dead in her house. A copy of the medical certificate signed by Alexander Buchanan is included. McPhail observes that ‘we may have more cases of the same kind’ and that ‘the above is the second death in a house alone within the parish this year’.
Also enclosed is a list of paupers living alone in the Parish of Tiree, dated 16 November 1885: Ann McKinnon (Balinoe), Hector McLean (Balinoe), Cath[erine] McDougall (Balephuil), Marion Kennedy (Balevullin), Christina McDonald (Caoles), Mary Brown (Caoles), Mary Campbell (Ernal), Cath[erine] McLean (Ernal), Cath[erine] McFadyen (Heanish), Ann McLean (Hynish), Hannah McDonald (Kenovay), Cath[erine] McKinnon (Mannal), Flora Brown (Sandaig), Malcolm McDonald (Scarinish), Cath[erine] McKinnon (Scarinish), Flora Cameron (Ruaig), Arch[ibal]d McLeod (Vaul). McPhail notes the types of support they receive from the Parochial Board (including ‘necessary clothing and an allowance of soap’).
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.