Acquisitions

2025.52.3

Sylloge of Coins of the British Isles. Part 1, 1966. by Robert B K Stevenson

A hardback book with details of Viking hoards in Tiree

 

2025.51.1

Papers compiled by Grant Farquharson about his grandfather, Cpt Donald Archibald MacCallum 1884 – 1941, born Kilmoluaig, Tiree

Notes include rescue of crew of the Spanish ship Delfina in 1928 by the crew of SS Huntsman of which Donald Archibald was chief officer. See 2010.77.2

There is an account of Donald Archibald’s wartime experiences including as captain of SS Designer when hit by a torpedo, sinking in six minutes. Out of 78 men onboard, Donald and 66 of his men were lost.

Award of two medals: The Emile Robin Medal from the Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners Royal Benevolent Society, The Liverpool Shipwrecked Humane Society.

Photocopied photographs of the medals, the SS Huntsman, its captain and Donald Archibald and rescued dog. Donald Archibald with Isabella “Bella” McNeil, born Balevullin 1885 – 1947, newspaper cuttings.

 

Also an account of Donald Archibald’s nephew, Capt Donald MacCallum 1903 – 1943. Captain of SS Baron Dechmont when hit by a torpedo from U-507. Taken PoW aboard U-Boat but lost his life ten days later when it was sunk. See 2010.77.1

Both are named on Tiree’s war memorial and at Tower Hill, London

Additional research by Flo Straker

2025.50.2

an Iron Age mortar

Found by divers Michael Sharpe, Charles Guest and Simon Arnold from North of Scotland Archaeology Society (NOSAS) in September 2023 in Loch Bhassapol on the south side of Eilean Àirde na Brathan, 15m offshore in 1m of water.

From Dr Fraser Hunter’s report:

Large ovoid cobble (stone not identified) with a pecked oval hollow (60 x 70 mm) centrally on the flattest face. The base is pecked but part of the sides are worn smooth, suggesting use as a mortar.

Also an Iron Age quern fragment at 2025.50.1

see entry at tireeandcollarchaeology.org

With the permission of His Grace the Duke of Argyll