Digitised copy of a letter from John McKinnon to the Duke of Argyll, dated 30 January 1894. In this letter McKinnon (Moss) complains that he was due to inherit a croft from his cousin, Catherine Sinclair (Moss), but that it was claimed by his cousin Neil Sinclair (cottar, Balephuil) and that the Factor, Mr Wyllie, entered Neil Sinclair’s name on the rent book. McKinnon references the work he did to improve the croft, that he took care of his cousin in her old age, and his current hardships. He was summoned by Mr Sproat (Procurator Fiscal) in Tobermory and failing his appearance was told his cow would be poinded. McKinnon also mentions that Sinclair was one of the first to take up their abode in Moss.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
Digitised copy of a letter from Donald Campbell (Kirkapol) to the Duke of Argyll, addressed from Gott and dated 10 November 1890.
In the letter Campbell explains how he has been ‘reduced to my present unfortunate position’, he refers to his cows ‘shirring’, resulting in death of calves, blames his three sisters for their lack of care towards the cows, problems in paying his rent and accruing ‘considerable’ arrears, his sisters commencing a law-suit against him, advice from Mr Sproat (Procurator Fiscal) in Tobermory to declare himself bankrupt, the sale of his belongings, and his hope that the Duke will allow him to keep his crofts. Campbell writes that his father-in-law Donald MacKinnon (tenant, Kirkapol) is willing to undertake joint payment of the rent. The letter contains a postscript signed by his father-in-law expressing his willingness to join with Donald Campbell in the management of the crofts in Gott and payment of the rent. Campbell also mentions attending the market in Mull to sell horses.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
Transcript of correspondence regarding a petition made by Isabella Lamont (daughter of Charles Lamont, Ruaig) to the Duke of Argyll. Contains a cover letter from J Wylie to the Duke of Argyll in support of Lamont’s petition, dated 30 June 1890; a copy letter from Hugh McDiarmid (Tiree Factor) to the Duke of Argyll (undated); and the petition from Isabella Lamont (daughter of Charles Lamont, Ruaig) to the Duke of Argyll, dated 27 May 1890.
Lamont requests a site to build a home for herself and her children, both of whom were fathered by Alexander Macdonald (son of Widow Macdonald, Ruaig).
Click to read a transcript of this item. Catalogue entries for the letters are available at 2022.10.1, 2022.10.2.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
Digitised copy of a petition made by Isabella Lamont (daughter of Charles Lamont, Ruaig) to the Duke of Argyll for help with accommodation for her and child, dated 27 May 1890. Lamont requests a site to build a home for herself and her children, both of whom were fathered by Alexander Macdonald (son of Widow Macdonald, Ruaig).
Digitised copy of a letter regarding a petition made by Isabella Lamont (daughter of Charles Lamont, Ruaig) to the Duke of Argyll. Contains a cover letter from J Wylie to the Duke of Argyll in support of Lamont’s petition, dated 30 June 1890 as well as a copy letter from Hugh McDiarmid (Tiree Factor) concerning accommodation for Isabella Lamont and her child (undated).
Compact, leather-covered, Gaelic ‘Biobull / Bible’, produced by Comunn-Bhiobull Duthchail na h-Alba. On the inside front cover is written ‘Cornaig Sunday School. For Mary Ishbel MacDonald [Kenovay], with every good wish for the future, J Gillies, 28/8/46. John Gillies was the Church of Scotland Missionary on Tiree for 17 years (1937-1954), teaching Sunday School in Gaelic and English.
Hardback book ‘The Scottish Anthem Book’, 1922, revised from the original ‘Book of Anthems’, which was published in 1875 as and aid to singing hymns and psalms in the Church of Scotland. Belonging to Effie MacDonald (nee MacCorquodale), Kenovay, it is signed ‘Euphemia Cameron MacCorquodale, No. 8’.
Small, green-paper covered Gaelic booklet of religious questions and answers `Leabhar Aithghearr nan Ceist` edited by Iain Domhnullach, D.D., Ministeir ann an Dgire na Toisigheachd, in 1893. The booklet has been lovingly covered with stiff card from an old cigar/cigarette box, and signed by ‘H Ray’ and by ‘R Macdonald’. It is also annotated in pencil throughout. From the belongings of the MacDonald/MacCorquodale/MacLean family of Kenovay.
Photograph and sample of gutta-percha from a bale found embedded in the machair shore at Sandaig (NL 936 436) by visitor Jennie Hynd in September 2022. The extent of the lichen and vegetation on the bale suggests that it had been there for some time.
Gutta-percha is a stretchy, rubbery material, derived from the latex of the Palaquium gutta tree in Malaysia. During the second half of the 19th century, gutta-percha was imported into Britain in vast quanities and used as insulation for underwater electrical cables, golf balls, chewing gum and root canal treatment. Synthetic materials have since largely replaced it.
Bales of gutta-percha have been washed up on the beaches of western Europe for over 100 years, with many likely to have come from ships wrecked during WWI such as the Japanese liner Miyazaki Maru, which was sunk by a German U-boat off the Scilly Isles in 1917.
