Photograph of a painting by Duncan MacGregor-Whyte ca 1910
Colour photograph of an oil painting of two women by Duncan MacGregor-Whyte who had a studio at Balephuil in the early 1900s and painted many Tiree people. The woman holding the toy rabbit is probably his wife, Mary Barnard, also an accomplished artist who opened `The Bunny Shop` in Oban.
Research sent in by the current owner of Duncan MacGregor-Whyte and Mary Barnard’s Tiree home, The Studio, Balephuil:
I have been conducting some on line search regarding the Bunny Shop which Mary Barnard operated in Oban. Although she died in 1946 I vaguely remember that it was open during a holiday the family spent in Oban/Benderloch in 1952/1953. My google led me to the website “Mary Wheelhouse (1867-1947)- Women Who Meant Business” who was a renowned entrepreneur who founded Panoma Toys . During the 1920’s, Panoma acted as agents for another artist turned toy maker, Mary Bayliss Barnard. Based in Oban, MBB was by the mid 1920’s employing four more women to keep the stock flowing into her Bunny Shop”. I noticed that Mary Wheelhouse studied for 3 years at Acedemie Delecleuse as had Mary Barnard (and Duncan MacGregor Whyte)…..networking 100+ years ago!
Photograph of the ship`s badge of HMS Sturdy, pre-wreck
Colour photograph (scanned from an internet page) of the ship`s badge of HMS Sturdy as it would have looked before it was wrecked on rocks off Sandaig in 1940. Brass rope edge, brass lettering “STURDY” on black, green and brown oak tree on white background, and brass crown on top.
33 photographs and programmes of RAF Tiree theatre company performances during WWII
33 black & white photographs, and eight programmes, of performances by `The Tireans` and `The Reef Players`, the RAF personnel theatre groups who staged shows at RAF Tiree during WWII. Includes photocopy of one programme signed by all the performers (the original returned to the donor). Superb stage sets and costumes. The wardrobe supervisor, Stanly Bowman, was the donor`s father. (six photos, S100-S105, accessioned separately for display files).
