THE PRECURSORS OF THE TIREE ASSOCIATION
The Tiree Association that we know and love today held its first meeting in Glasgow in 1901 (see Yesterday’s News no. 43). But islanders had come together over a period of seven years some thirty years before this.
SOIRÉE OF THE NATIVES OF TIREE [1871]
‘The natives of Tyree resident in Glasgow held their first annual soirée last evening in St Mary’s Hall [in the east end of Glasgow]. Mr George McLean presided. The hall was most uncomfortably crowded, and many had to find accommodation in the side rooms. The Chairman in the course of his remarks referred to the history of Tyree, and gave many amusing incidents relative thereto. Songs were given.’ (North British Daily Mail, 25 February 1871, p. 4)
From the beginning, there was the pleasure of meeting up with the ‘Tiree family’, but also a concern for those enduring hard times and for those coming to the city from the island for the first time:
SOIRÉE OF THE NATIVES OF TYREE [1873]
‘On Tuesday evening, the natives of the island of Tyree resident in the West of Scotland held their third annual soirée in the Assembly Rooms, Bath Streeet, Glasgow. The meeting was numerous and of the most respectable character, and was presided over by John McFadyen of Newcastle … The Caledonian Piper Band was in attendance, and played as an overture to the proceedings of the evening ‘The Pride of Caledonia’. A blessing having been asked by the Chairman, the company partook of tea, singing by way of thanks the first portion of the Hundredth Psalm. After tea, the chairman delivered an interesting address … His object in coming had not been to make anything like a long speech, but simply to mingle once more with the natives of their beloved island of Tyree. He was afraid, although he had intended to inflict on them some tremendous oration, that, what with the excitement of travelling, and the excitement of meeting so many friends, shaking of hands and so forth, the speech would have been fairly shaken out of his head. (Applause.) … By and by, he trusted, the natives of Tyree would not forget to follow the example of the natives of such districts as had associated with their annual reunions some benevolent fund for the special benefit of those whom poverty or misfortune might reach, or for such as, coming to a city like Glasgow, might need aid as well as counsel. (Applause.) … In Tyree, as in many other parts of the Highlands, the work of depopulation had been going on for the last thirty years, and its population was now not what it was in the olden time; still, many of those who had been compelled to leave it had had cause to thank a kind Providence that the step had been for the material and prosperity of themselves and their families. There was an indomitable energy in the Highland character that triumphed in many instances over the most adverse circumstances, and prevented anything like the treading out of its characteristic peculiarities. Some were afraid that the Gaelic language would go down; not he. It was as irrepressible as the Highlander himself; if it went down here, it got up there with an inherent vitality; and though such a wild fancy should ever be realised as that it could go down at home, we would find it strong and healthy in Canada and in Australia, where in many districts it existed today as pure as it had been transmitted to them by their fathers … At one time, I thought that we were to have no soirée at all this year, because the time was far advanced before any volunteer ventured to take the initiative; but our thanks are due to those few gallant patriots who came forward and moved the rest to action, and who have been the means of giving us this fine entertainment tonight. I hope that, by next year, some of you will take an interest in the soirée; for everyone from the island of Tyree who resides in Glasgow should encourage it, and not leave the burden upon the few; but let each have a pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether.’ (Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette, 1 March 1873, p. 5)
[1877] ‘The natives of Tyree resident in the city have instituted what it is henceforth to be known as “The Tyree Friendly Society”. The rules of the society, which are neither very perspicacious nor grammatical, fail to state whether all applicants for membership must be a native of the isle which gives it its name. FIONN.’ (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 5 May 1877, p. 5). I cannot find any other record of this un-grammatical and un-perspicacious society.
There was another soirée the following year, following which these gatherings seem to have fallen into abeyance.
It was a time of huge immigration from the islands to Glasgow. The Glasgow Islay Association was formed in 1862, the Glasgow Lewis and Harris Association in 1887, the Glasgow Uist and Barra Association in 1888 and the Coll Association 1931.
The 1880s were a time of revolution in the Highlands, and meetings became more political. We will deal with these another week. But in 1891 there was a further call to arms:
TIREE ASSOCIATION
‘Sir, What was the result of the meeting of the Tiree people which was called some time ago by means of an advertisement in the Oban Times. The object of that meeting was to organise a Tiree Association, but I have heard nothing of it since. Is silence in this instance to be taken to mean failure? In speaking of this to a Highlander the other day, he said: “There was no use organising a Tiree Association. A Tireeman will honour anybody but a Tireeman. As soon therefore as a president and secretary are elected, every other Tireeman will be so disgusted with the choice that ever afterwards harmony will be impossible.” Should we not try again and show the world that we can love each other, act together, and sacrifice all minor things for the sake of our dear little island home? … To the prime movers: “If at first you don’t succeed, try again.”’ M. H, Tiree. (Oban Times and Argyllshire Advertiser, 28 February 1891, p. 3)
Ten years later, the Tiree Association was born.
Dr John Holliday