The baptism of Christine MacDonald at Balephuil in the 1960s
Photograph of the baptism of Christine MacDonald at Balephuil in the 1960s
Courtesy of Mr Donald MacKinnon
The Reverend Cowie is pictured here around 1963 baptising Christine MacDonald in Abhainn Bhì, attended by lay preacher, Lachlan MacKinnon. The stream, named after a Columban saint Mo Bhì, has long been associated with Christianity.
For over a hundred years until the 1940s, the Baptist Church was very influential in Tiree and its buildings frequently filled to capacity. In 1874 its membership peaked at a hundred and sixty. By the late 1980s it had fallen to under ten; today there are around a dozen.
There are two small Baptist churches on the island at Balemartine and Baugh. Only the Balemartine one is still in use and Sunday services attract over thirty worshippers.
Black and white photograph of a baptism at Balephuil.
Baptist minister Rev Cowie baptising Teen MacDonald in the burn at Balephuill, with Lachie MacKinnon, Parkhouse in attendance, around 1963-4.
Black and white postcard of Island House.
Island House with a windmill to the right.
Black and white photograph of the Tiree Hall Committee in the 1950s or 60s.
Tiree hall Committee in the 1950s or 60s. L-R: (front) John Fletcher, teacher at Cornaig; Flora MacArthur, Sandaig; Mary MacKinnon (Mairi Katina); (back) Roland Robertson, Uist, teacher at Heylipol; John Gault, Co-op manager; Hugh MacLean, Salum; Iain MacKinnon, Ruaig; Sandy MacKinnon (Sandy a` Ghobhainn); Hector J. C. Campbell.
Black and white photograph of a lugboat.
Postman Hugh Lamont, who lived at Daisy Bank in Ruaig, at the stern of his lugboat `The Katie` which was named after his wife and won prizes at the regattas.
Black and white photograph of a Cornaig School sports team.
Sports team at Cornaig School. L-R: Ina Brown, Colina MacDonald, Patsy MacPhee and Agnes MacDonald with factor Mr MacLaren.
Black and white photograph of the pipe band at the Agricultural Show in Crosspol in 1965.
The Tiree Pipe Band playing at the Agricultural Show in Crossapol in July 1965.
Black and white photograph of sheep-dipping at Kennavara in 1933.
Sheep-dipping day for Barrapol at Kennavara in 1933.
Black and white photograph of the winners at a Tiree regatta in 1970.
The winners at a Tiree regatta in Scarinish on 21/7/1970. L-R: Hector MacArthur, Caoles; Duncan MacInnes, Ruaig; Donald MacKinnon, Sandaig; bank manager Willie Grout (with shield).
The Met. Station at Cornaig School
Postcard of the Met. Station at Cornaig School.
Courtesy of Mr Donald MacKinnon
In 1924 the Meteorological Office proposed to establish an official telegraphic weather reporting station on Tiree at Cornaig School.
However, they first needed to bring a telegraph line to the post office at Cornaig which the GPO would only do if it was guaranteed an income of £60 per year. The Treasury offered to pay more than half of this and the line was installed in 1926 when five local people put up a guarantee of £5 a year each.
The headmaster Donald O. MacLean agreed to become the Met. Office Observer on Tiree for the sum of £52 a year and John MacPhail of Cornaigmore, was appointed Deputy Observer. The first report was filed in September 1926.
Black and white postcard of the Met Station at Cornaig School.
Postcard showing the Meteorological Station at Cornaigmore. Built by Hugh MacKinnon, Crossapol in 1926. The Headmaster of Cornaig School, D. O. MacLean first took charge of it, followed by Headmaster Mr. Morrison until he left in 1938. John MacPhail, crofter at Cornaigmore, took charge of the Met Station during the war years and, after his death, his wife Marion MacPhail took over responsibility. In around 1945 the Meteorological Office opened at the Reef, Crossapol, and the Cornaigmore station was closed.
