Hugh MacNeill of Balevullin
Series of five photographs of Hugh MacNeill of Balevullin demonstrating how his mother would make a craggan.
Courtesy of Mr George Holleyman
Hugh MacNeill of Balevullin, Tiree demonstrates how his mother, Flora MacNeill, would make small clay pots known as craggans which were believed to have special healing properties particularly in the case of consumption.
After selecting a large lump of local clay, it was carefully worked by hand into a vessel with a neck and everted rim. The finished pot was allowed to dry then baked in the ashes of the fire. Milk was poured into and over it while still hot to make the surface less porous.
The photographs were taken by George Holleyman, an archaeologist posted to RAF Tiree during World War II. He later published a paper ‘Tiree Craggans’ in the journal ‘Antiquity’.
Copied postcard of a black and white drawing of Scarinish harbour.
Postcard of Scarinish harbour.
Black and white photograph of an unknown woman and boy.
Unknown woman and boy. (not indexed)
Black and white photograph of a singing class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh.
Singing class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh in Tiree High School with Edward Campbell (centre) of Cornaigbeg and tutor Mairi MacArthur.
Black and white photograph of an accordion class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh.
Accordion class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh in Tiree High School with tutor Gordon Connell, Sarah Williams of Balemartine and Daniel Gillespie of Balinoe.
Black and white photograph of a keyboard class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh.
Keyboard class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh in Tiree High School. On the right are Sara Hunter of Moss, Hannah Williams of Balemartine and tutor Mark Fallon.
Black and white photograph of a Hebridean dance class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh.
Hebridean dance class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh in Tiree High School with Graeme Smith of Crossapol, Michael Holliday of Baugh and Johann MacLean of Kilmoluaig in the foreground. The dance tutor is Joanna Campbell of Barra.
Black and white photograph of a drumming class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh.
Drumming class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh in Tiree High School. L-R: tutor Tommy Johnston; Iain Brown, Cornaigbeg; Peter White, Crossapol; Calum Williams, Kirkapol.
Black and white photograph of a chanter class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh.
Chanter class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh in Tiree High School with tutor Anne Johnston.
Black and white photograph of a chanter class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh.
Chanter class at the 1990 Feis Thiriodh in Tiree High School with tutor Ann Johnston.
