Reading Room

Last time, we looked at the library in the Scarinish Reading Room. This week, we consider all the other ways the building was used, at a time when there were very few public spaces on the island.

1892

“The reading room kindly erected by the Duke of Argyll is a great boon to the island. It is exceedingly neat and handsome, and will be most useful for those waiting for the steamers, who have hitherto had to endure much wet and cold in former years. There are quite a number of papers and serials in the reading room, and friends are expected to send more. The editor of the Strand Magazine sent several books; some were sent also by Mr Campbell, Inverness, and others.”
— Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 24 September 1892, p. 6

1893

“Mr D. H. MacFarlane, M.P., sent some time ago £2 as a donation to the Tiree Reading Room. The sum was sent to Mr Samuel Cowan, publisher, Perth, who takes a great interest in the reading room. He added to the sum and sent twenty-four volumes. Last week Messrs Wm. Brock & Sons, grain merchants, Glasgow, sent a gift of books (forty volumes). Mr R. West, the tenant of the Tiree shootings, contributed £1 as a donation. It is to be hoped others taking an interest in the island will contribute in the shape of books or money, which will be duly acknowledged by the secretary, Mr Hugh MacDonald, postmaster.”
— Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 13 May 1893, p. 6

1894

“Notes: Mr Watson, photographer, Edinburgh, has presented the Tiree Reading Room with two fine pictures beautifully framed, viz.—‘Oituar Scarinish agus Cleite Ruaig’, and ‘Tràigh Bhaigh agus Eilean nan Sìliag.’ They are very valuable pictures, and Mr Watson has already got a medal for them. Mr Watson, one of the masters in the Merchants School, Queen Street, Edinburgh, is taking holidays in the island at present. He is staying at the Baugh Manse.”
— Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 4 August 1894, p. 6

1912

“School Board: The statutory meeting of the School Board was held within the Reading Room of Scarinish Library on Tuesday of last week, Mr H. Macdiarmid, chairman of the Board, presiding.”
— Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 27 January 1912, p. 6

“Old Age Pensions: A meeting of the Tiree Pension Sub-Committee was held in Scarinish Reading Room on Wednesday last week, Mr H. Macdiarmid, chairman, presiding. All the claims submitted were passed, and the applicants recommended for the full pension of five shillings per week.”

“Pier Committee: A meeting of the above Committee was held in Scarinish Library on Saturday last, Mr Barr, chairman, presiding. Correspondence from Mr Woulfe Brenan, engineer, was read, giving an approximate idea of the nature and cost of the work yet to be done, and stating that it was of importance that the contractors should lose no time in proceeding with the erection of the unfinished part of the breakwater.”
— Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 23 March 1912, p. 7

As we saw last time, the building burned down in October 1912. Wisely, it was fully insured and it was re-built.

1926

“Proposed Regatta: A public meeting was held in the Reading Room, Scarinish, on Wednesday evening of last week for the purpose of considering a proposal to hold a regatta. Mr Peter Macneill presided over a good attendance. It was unanimously agreed to hold a regatta in the month of July. The following were appointed to a committee, with the power to add to their number: Messrs Alexander Henderson, Neil Macdonald, Alex. Campbell, Alex. Maclean, and Maclean, Heynish, for the Balemartine district; Alexander Kennedy, Balephuil; Rev. William Mackenzie, Hylipol; Messrs Archd. Currie, Kilkenneth; John Cameron, Balevullin; D. O. Maclean, Cornaigmore School; John Macdonald, Kenovay; John Brown, the Hotel; Malcolm Mackinnon, J. Macfadyen, Archd. Maclean, Neil McKinnon and Hector Mackinnon, Scarinish; and Hugh Macfadyen, Caolis. The committee decided that the programme of the regatta should consist of two sailing races, three rowing races including respectively one man and coxswain, two men and coxswain, and four men and coxswain; the other events including ladies’ and men’s swimming races, and a tug-of-war. It is anticipated that the regatta will receive the hearty support of the members of the Glasgow Tiree Association.”
— Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 27 March 1926, p. 7

Dr John Holliday

No 28 – Reading Room YN.28-reading room