Colour photograph of a cross carved on a rock.
Cross carved on a rock near the Kirkapol chapels photographed in 2001.
2002.69.14
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Record Type: jewels
2002.69.15
Tobar Eachainn
Photograph of Tobar Eachainn at Kirkapol.
Tobar Eachainn (Hector’s Well) is situated on the west bank of Kirkapol stream a hundred metres to the east of Kirkapol graveyard. Formerly known as Tobar Odhrain (Oran’s Well), its waters were said to have healing properties.
St Oran was a relative and a disciple of St Columba. He possibly spent time in Tiree as the larger of the two graveyards at Kirkapol is also dedicated to him. Evidence of the foundations of a chapel was uncovered there by a grave-digger in the late 19th century.
The well is a natural spring which is enclosed within dry-stone walls and roofed with turf-covered slabs. It was closed as a source of drinking water in the 1940s because of its close proximity to the graveyard.
Colour photograph of Tobair Eachainn.
Tobair Eachainn, once known as Tobair Odhrain, on Lodge Farm.
2002.70.1
Tiree Aerodrome in 1944
Photograph of Tiree Aerodrome in 1944.
Courtesy of Sergeant Neil Owen
The origins of the Tiree airfield go back to 1934 when Midland and Scottish Airways selected a grass landing site on the Reef. A rental dispute delayed until 1937 the start of air services which continued to operate spasmodically during World War II.
The Reef was requisitioned by the Ministry of War in 1940 to provide air cover for the convoys routed from the North Sea to the Irish Channel. Contractors Melville, Dundas & Whitson and Tawse of Aberdeen were among those involved in building the airstrip, roads and living quarters for the RAF base.
Labourers were brought in from Ireland and the mainland, including prisoners from several Scottish jails. Quarries at Baugh and Balephetrish were blasted out and the ruins of the Glassary seaweed factory in Sandaig and the storehouse on Scarinish jetty were demolished and used as hardcore.
Aerial photograph of Tiree Aerodrome, 1944.
Aerial view of Tiree Aerodrome taken in 1944 showing erosion.
2002.69.1
Colour photograph of Rev. Bob Higham at the Kirkapol chapel.
The smaller of the two Kirkapol chapels, possibly called St Brendan`s, in 2001, with contractor Sara Carruthers on the left and Rev. Bob Higham on the right.
2002.67.1
Colour scan of brass plate.
Colour scan of brass plate from the Glassary seaweed factory cart engraved `NORTH BRITISH CHEMICAL CO. LD. TYREE NO. 1`.
2002.66.2
Invoice from Hugh Campbell to Mrs MacDonald of Balinoe for haulage in 1953.
Bill totalling £4 17/3d for haulage of furniture in July and August 1953 from Hugh Campbell of Hynish to Mrs MacDonald, Daisy Brae, Balinoe.
2002.64.1
The shop at Balemartine
Postcard of the shop at Balemartine.
Courtesy of Mrs Mairi Campbell
Kirsty MacKinnon (Cìorstaidh Ailein) and her half brother, Lachie MacDonald (Lachainn Dhòmhnaill) opened a shop in Balemartine that became the second largest shop on the island.
Their house and shop was built by Hugh MacKinnon, the contractor in Crossapol, for £600. When asked why it was being built so high, Lachie replied, “Tha mi sgith de thòit Ghorraig” (“I am tired of the smoke of Gorraig”, an old name for that part of Balemartine which had a bad reputation).
Lachie took over the coal business from Hugh MacLean of Balemartine. He brought in coal on puffers such as the ‘Starlight’ and the ‘Moonlight’ to Soroby beach, where there is still a mooring ring to mark the spot.
Postcard of Balemartine shop.
Balemartine shop.
1997.158.1
Black and white photograph of the `Mary and Effie`.
The `Mary and Effie` in Scarinish harbour in 1945.
1997.158.2
Black and white photograph of Tiree regatta.
Returning to Scarinish harbour after a regatta, year unknown.
1997.158.3
Black and white photograph of George and John MacFadyen in horse-drawn cart.
L-R: Captain George MacFadyen of Lighthouse View, Scarinish and John MacFadyen of East View, piermaster until 1950, year unknown.
