Tùr Mhic Chaluim at Kilkenneth
Photograph of Tùr Mhic Chaluim at Kilkenneth in 2001
Born in Argyll in 1849, the Reverend Donald MacCallum was radicalised by what he saw of the Clearances and became the crofters’ and cottars’ champion. This was a rare stand for a minister at that time dependant as they were on their landlord for manse, glebe and living.
He served in Loch Geàrr, Arisaig and Skye, where he became the only Highland minister of that era to be imprisoned for his political beliefs. He came to Tiree in 1887 but was forced out after 18 months by the Argyll family who refused to support him.
The crofters of Tiree erected the cairn in his honour. The inscription read: ‘Tùr McCallum, 1st July 1889. Bas no Buaidh. Death or Victory.’
Colour photograph of Tur Mhic Chaluim in Kilkenneth in 2001.
Tur Mhic Chaluim in Kilkenneth photographed in February 2001 by Catriona Hunter. The memorial was erected in honour of the Reverend Donald MacCallum who was born in Argyll in 1849. He was radicalised by what he saw of the Clearances and became the crofters’ and cottars’ champion. This was a rare stand for a minister at that time dependant as they were on their landlord for manse, glebe and living. He served in Loch Geàrr, Arisaig and Skye (where he became the only Highland minister of that era to be imprisoned for his political beliefs), then came to Tiree in 1887. He was forced out after 18 months by the Argyll family who refused to support him. The inscription reads: ‘Tùr McCallum, 1st July 1889. Bas na Buaidh. Death or Victory.’
I visited this cairn in September 2023, and saw the stone built into it inscribed
TUR MHICCHALUIM
1 JULY 1889
Below that, there was also a brass inscription, which read,
IN MEMORY OF
REV. DONALD MACCALLUM
BORN CRAIGNISH ARGYLL 9TH OCTOBER 1849
MINISTER OF HYLIPOL TYREE
DEC 1887 – AUG 1889
DIED 23RD APRIL 1929 AT GLENDALE SKYE
INTERRED IN GLENDALE CEMETERY
LIKE THE BIBLICAL PROPHETS
HE TOOK UP THE CAUSE OF THE OPPRESSED
AND WAS CHIEF LEADER OF THE
LAND LEAGUE MOVEMENT OF THE TIME