Dates: 1910s

1999.151.3

Audio cassette recording of Hector Campbell of Garaphail interviewed by Margaret Bennett of the School of Scottish Studies.

Hector Campbell of Garaphail and Comrie talks to Margaret Bennett of the School of Scottish Studies about Gaelic songs and poetry, the music sailors from Ireland and the islands made at sea, the connections between Tiree and Skye, his boyhood, New Year, Halloween and May Day, superstitions, the weather, herbal remedies, fishing, seaweed as food, the changes in crofting practice, what happened when someone died, dances, washing days and health.

1998.278.1

Audio cassette recording of a BBC programme with Alasdair MacNeill interviewed by Kenneth MacQuarrie.

Kenneth MacQuarrie interviews Alasdair MacNeill of Balevullin who sings a song about the Crofters’ War, talks about his early days as a farm-hand in Ayrshire, his sea-faring days and transporting the first 3000 American soldiers to join World War I from New York to Liverpool, going to New Zealand in 1924 where he worked as a farm-hand, his experience aboard the sinking ship Ventura en route from New Zealand to America in 1931 and finally sings a song he remembers from his childhood. Tha Coinneach Mhic Guaire a’ còmhdhail ri Alasdair Mhic Nèill a Bail’ a’ Mhuilinn a tha a’ seinn òran mu Chogadh nan Croitearan agus a’ bruidhinn air mar a thòisich e air obair na fhear-oibre-fearainn ann an Àir, a làithean aig fairge agus a’ giùlain trì mìle saighdear a bha dol gun Cheud Chogadh bho New York gu Liverpool, dol don Seallainn Nuadh ann an 1924 far an robh e ag obair na fhear-oibre-fearainn a’ buain meuran nan cailleach marbh, mar a chaidh am bàta Ventura fodha air an rathad as an Seallainn Nuadh gu Ameireaga ann an 1931; tha e sin a’ seinn òran air an robh cuimhne aige bho làithean leanabais.

2000.130.2

The souterrain in Kilkenneth in 1918

Photograph of John MacIntyre and his son Colin at the opened souterrain in Kilkenneth in 1918.

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Courtesy of Mr Colin MacKinnon

John MacIntyre (Iain Chailein Mhurchaidh) and his son, Colin, are pictured here at the souterrain in Kilkenneth opened by chance when ploughing in 1918. It was later covered over.

Less than a mile away, a Y-shaped passage was exposed in the 1890s in the sand dunes at Tràigh Ghrianail. Measuring 9.2 metres long, 1 metre wide and 1.5 metres high, it was known locally as An Taigh Falaichte (the hidden house) and used for shelter by those working on the shore. It has since disappeared.

Similar underground structures were built on the mainland around 200 AD. They may have been used as byres or stores, or as places to hide from raiders.

Black and white photograph of John MacIntyre at the souterrain in Kilkenneth around 1920.

John MacIntyre at the rear of the horse and his son Colin at the opened souterrain in Kilkenneth around 1920.

2000.84.2

Black and white photograph of the crew of the Letitia, Glasgow, 1917.

The crew of the `Letitia` of Glasgow in 1916-17. Back row: (2nd left) Charlie MacDonald, Ruaig – uncle to Mary Flora MacKinnon, Balephetrish and Margaret MacInnis, Ruaig; (3rd left) John MacArthur – father of John MacArthur, Middleton Farm; (2nd right) Alasdair MacDonald – father to Lachie MacDonald, Middleton; (1st right) John MacKinnon, Balephetrish – uncle to John MacKinnon (Iain Aonghais), Kilmoluaig. The ship ran aground at Halifax NS on 1.8.1917 and was abandoned on 4.8.1917.

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