‘Na Teantaichean’ at Clachan
Photograph of the remains of ‘Na Teantaichean’ at Clachan, Cornaig in 2004.
Tiree was an attractive summer base for fishermen from the north-east coast of Scotland during the19th century. They favoured the Green, Cornaig and Salum which were close to the rich fishing banks north of the island.
In those days, it was common for fishermen to have shelters down by the shore where they lived and stored their fishing tackle. Two ruins called ‘Na Teantaichean’ on the shore at Clachan in Cornaig can still be seen. The name suggests they were roofed with canvas.
The fishermen who used the site moored their boats at nearby Port nam Bàtachan. One of the crew would remain ashore to cook and dig for bait while the others were out fishing. After a day at sea they would sometimes meet up at the inn at Croish in Kilmoluaig.
Colour photograph of `Na Tentaichean` at the Green in 20040
The remains of `Na Tentaichean` at the Green where east coast fishermen stayed in the 19th century, photographed by Dr John Holliday in 2004.
Colour postcard of a dinghy with Kennavara in the background, photographed by Heather Green.
Postcard of a dinghy with Kennavara in the background, photographed by Heather Green for the Hebridean Educational Trust. (Postcard in Filing Cabinet 8 drawer 4)
Colour postcard of a lobster boat photographed by Heather Green.
Postcard of a lobster boat photographed by Heather Green for the Hebridean Educational Trust.
Colour photograph of Scarinish harbour in 2004.
The railway at Scarinish harbour used to beach the `Spindrift` in a cradle, photographed by Dr John Holliday in 2004.
Donald Archie Brown of Balevullin with an ‘àbh’
Photograph of Donald Archie Brown of Balevullin with an ‘àbh’.
Courtesy of Mr Donald Archie Brown
Donald Archie Brown from Balevullin is holding an ‘àbh’, a large triangular net on a long handle used to fish for cuddies (small fry) from certain rocks. Derived from the Old Norse word ‘haaf’ meaning sea, it may have been introduced to Tiree after the arrival of the Vikings in the 9th century AD.
The pieces of wood making up the ‘àbh’ were bound together with cord as nails or bolts would rust and split the wood. It was heavy and dangerous with a full net and used only by stronger, more experienced men.
The best time to use the ‘àbh’ was at dusk. The fish were brought close to the rock with bait, traditionally by spitting out chewed raw limpets. Then a handful of ‘siaban’, dried shell sand, was thrown on the surface of the water so that the fish could not see the net coming from above.
Colour photograph of Donald Archie Brown with an `abh` in 2004.
Donald Archie Brown of Balevullin with an `abh` made from an oar and herring net belonging to Donald Kennedy and made by Donald MacNeill, photographed by Dr John Holliday in August 2004.
Donald Archie Brown of Balevullin
Photograph of Donald Archie Brown of Balevullin spinning horsehair fishing line.
Courtesy of Mr Donald Archie Brown
Donald Archie Brown of Balevullin is pictured spinning horsehair fishing line using a small weight. Joined together with smooth knots, the line was used for fishing with rods from a boat or short lengths were used to attach the hooks to the main line used for flounder fishing.
Second-hand haddock line was often bought from east coast fishermen to use for flounder fishing. The main line was weighted to keep it on the bottom and up to 500 hooks spaced a yard apart were attached to it using horsehair which was light and floated.
Baiting the hooks was a tedious job. Lugworms dug up from the beach were the usual bait but mussels, if ones large enough could be found, were also used.
Colour photograph of Donald Archie Brown making horsehair fishing line in 2004.
Donald Archie Brown of Balevullin spinning fishing line from horsehair, photographed by Dr John Holliday in August 2004.
Colour photograph of Port Driseag at West Hynish in 2004.
Port Driseag at West Hynish photographed by Dr John Holliday in 2004.
Colour photograph of Traigh nam Muirsgian at Gott Bay in 2004.
Tràigh nam Muir-sgian at Gott Bay where razor fish are found, photographed by Dr John Holliday in 2004.
Colour photograph of Port a` Mhuilinn at Baugh in 2004.
Port a` Mhuilinn at Baugh photographed by Dr John Holliday in 2004.
Colour photograph of the fish trap between Eilean nan Gobhar and Heanish in 2004.
The fish trap between Eilean nan Gobhar and Heanish, photographed by Dr John Holliday in 2004.
