De Havilland Rapide over Sandaig
Photograph of a de Havilland Rapide over Sandaig.
Courtesy of Mr Donald MacKinnon
The first commercial flights from Renfrew Airport began in 1933 to Campbeltown and Islay. The following year a 29 year old businessman, George Nicholson from County Durham, set up Northern and Scottish Airways to take over these routes and develop others.
In October 1935, Nicholson was flown by his chief pilot, David Barclay, on a reconnaissance trip to Tiree. Islanders were woken early as he flew for some time low over the island, landing at 6 a.m. on An Tràigh Mhòr, the beach at Gott Bay. In May 1936, Colin MacPhail was appointed Northern and Scottish Airways local manager.
On 1st July 1936 David Barclay flew the first commercial flight to Tiree via Islay and landed on the Reef in a De Havilland Rapide, a fabric-covered twin engine biplane that could carry eight passengers.
Black and white photograph of a de Havilland Rapide over Sandaig after World War II.
De Havilland Rapide over Sandaig after World War II. The `X` off shore on the right marks the spot where the Sturdy went down.
Black and white photograph of the wife of Donald MacArthur of Balephuil sliabh.
The wife of Donald MacArthur (Domhnall an t-sleibh) from Balephuil sliabh.
Black and white postcard of a `typical bulb croft on Tiree`.
Postcard of a typical bulb croft on Tiree. (Original in Filing Cabinet 4 drawer 1)
Black and white photograph of Flora and Dugald MacArthur from Balephuil sliabh.
Siblings Flora (Floraidh Dhomhnaill an t-sleibh) and Dugald (Dughall Dhomhnaill an t-sleibh) MacArthur from Balephuil sliabh.
Black and white photograph of Balemartine School in 1925.
Balemartine School in 1925. (Original in Filing Cabinet 4 drawer 1)
Black and white photograph of the MacGibbon children (neice and nephew of Dugald MacArthur, Balephuil sliabh).
The MacGibbon children (neice and nephew of Dugald MacArthur, Balephuil sliabh) who emigrated to Canada or Australia with their parents who both died of flu.
Black and white photograph of Balephuil.
View of Balephuil with Kennavara in the background. At the extreme left is Taigh an Sgoileir.
Black and white photograph of Flora and Dugald MacArthur from Balephuil sliabh.
Duplicate of X79 (1999.92.10) – not indexed or displayed.
Black and white photograph of crofters with a reaper in the 1930s.
Cutting corn with a reaper in Balinoe or Heylipol in the 1930s. L-R: Hector MacLean; mason Alasdair MacArthur (Donald the plumber`s grandfather); Neil MacLean, Hector`s brother; Murdoch MacKinnon, Cu Dheis.
Black and white photograph of Calum, Dugald and Sandy MacArthur from Balephuil.
L-R: Calum, Dugald and Sandy MacArthur from Balephuil.
