Record Type: review

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1998.176.5

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Photograph of Flora MacEachern of Cornaigbeg in a swimming costume in the 1930s.

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Courtesy of Mrs Mairi Brady

Flora MacEachern, known as Fileag, was the daughter of the blacksmith at Creag Mhòr in Cornaigbeg. She was photographed in the 1930s in a swimming costume that was typical of the Victorian era, covering the arms and legs and accessorised with a fancy cap.

In the 19th century bathing in the sea was considered to be therapeutic. Although costumes were quite modest, it was common for men to swim naked when away from women. This practice was banned in Britain in 1860; bathing was segregated until 1901.

In the early 20th century, bathing wear started to shrink, first exposing the arms then the thighs; collars gradually receded and necklines plunged. New fabrics allowed for more comfortable and practical swimwear and swimming became the leisure pursuit it is today.

1998.176.11

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Archie MacEachern and his sister Fileag in Harris

Photograph of blacksmith Archie MacEachern and his sister Fileag at Leverburgh Sunday School in Harris in the 1920s.

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Courtesy of Mrs Mairi Brady

In this photograph taken at Leverburgh Sunday School in Harris in the 1920s, Archie MacEachern is in the centre and his sister Fileag is second on the left. Their father was Archibald MacEachern, the blacksmith at Creag Mhòr in Cornaigbeg.

Archie worked for around eleven years on Harris as a blacksmith and missionary. Part of his work involved making spearheads for the harpoons used in the whaling industry. He returned to Tiree in the 1930s to work in the smiddy at Creag Mhòr.

He married Catherine MacLean from The Brae, Cornaigbeg and the couple had three children, Archibald, Hugh and Mary. Archie continued his missionary work, preaching in the United Free Church in Kirkapol in the 1930s.

Black and white photograph of Archie and Fileag MacEachern in Harris in the 1920s.

Leverburgh Sunday School, Harris, in the 1920s. Archie MacEachern is in the centre and his sister Fileag is second left. Archie was the blacksmith at Creag Mhor in Cornaigbeg and also a lay preacher and missionary. He preached in the United Free Church in Kirkapol in the 1930s.

1998.164.3

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Flora MacLean discarding flower heads from the Hynish bulb farm

Photograph of Flora MacLean discarding flower heads from the Hynish bulb farm, photographed by the Sunday Express in May 1957.

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Courtesy of Sunday Express

Flora MacLean of Kenovay was photographed by the Sunday Express in 1957 discarding flower heads from the Hynish bulb farm. In the 1950s daffodil, tulip, narcissus and hyacinth bulbs were grown by a number of Tiree crofters to supply mainland hot-house growers with bulbs for forcing.

The busiest time was in the spring and summer. The flowers were removed to strengthen the bulbs which were dug up in June and graded according to size and condition. Large bulbs were exported to the mainland with the smaller ones replanted in the autumn for another year’s growth.

The initial outlay for ‘mother’ bulbs was high although spent bulbs could be purchased for a fraction of the cost. Unfortunately, the crop was decimated by diseases and pests, profit margins fell and the scheme petered out.

Black and white photograph of Flora MacLean of Druimfhraoich, Kenovay.

Flora MacLean of Druimfhraoich, Kenovay, discarding bulbs from the Hynish bulb farm, photographed by the Sunday Express in May 1957.

1998.174.1

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Black and white postcard of Am Bail`Ur / The New Village, Balephuil, around 1900.

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Postcard of Bail`Ur, Balephuil around 1900. Houses L-R: Taigh Iain Bhlac (his first thatched house at present-day cattle-grid); Taigh Iain ’ic Dhòmhnaill Mhòir (MacDonald); Taigh Mòr an Tuathanaich / Dhomhnaill Mhic Nèill (MacNeill); Taigh Nèill Òig / Chaluim Nèill Òig (Sinclair); Taigh Dhonnchaidh Mhurchaidh (Campbell); Bùth Iain ‘ic Dhòmhnaill Mhòir (MacDonald); Taigh Sheumais Bhàin (MacDonald); Taigh Fhearchair/Taigh Chailein Fhearchair (MacDonald); Taigh MhacÀidh (Mackay) / Ealasdair Iain Mhòir / a’ Ghreusaiche  (MacArthur); Taigh Màiri Bheag; Taigh Ealasdair Bhrùin (Brown); Bùth/Taigh Ealasdair Lachainn (Mackinnon); Taigh Dhòmhnaill ‘ic Lachainn (Mackinnon); Taigh Chlèabhair (John Kennedy); Taigh na Coinneimh /  Balephuil Mission House; Taigh Chaluim Nèill (Brown); Taigh Ghilleasbaig Chaimbeil (Campbell)

Amendments to house names provided by Ailean Boyd, Balephuil.

1998.156.2

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Iain MacLeod of Ruaig

Photograph of Iain MacLeod of Ruaig in RAF uniform.

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After only one year at university, Iain MacLeod of Ruaig enlisted in the RAF. Along with two other Tiree lads, Alasdair Campbell of Kenovay and Hector Campbell from Crossapol, he was sent to the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

These three young Tiree men were in the first group of fifty RAF pilots sent to North America to be trained. After a year, they gained their wings and returned to Britain.

In 1943 while on patrol in two Mustangs, Iain and a fellow pilot were surprised by four Messerschmitts. His friend dived and escaped, but Iain turned to face his attackers, was shot down and killed.

Black and white photograph of Iain MacLeod, Ruaig.

Iain MacLeod, Ruaig, in RAF uniform. He trained at the Spartan School of Aeronautics in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was killed on 15/5/1943.

1998.156.6

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Captain Lachlan Lamont

Photograph of Captain Lachlan Lamont of Ruaig.

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Courtesy of Mrs Anneen Black

Lachlan Lamont of Ruaig was captain of the S.S. ‘Sheerness’ which sank off the south-east coast of Ireland in 1927. His brother Archibald was also a sea captain and served in the Royal Navy Reserve during World War I along with other Tiree master mariners.

During the Dardanelles Campaign, Archibald was in command of the cargo carrier S.S ‘Asteria’ and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for bravery. The citation recorded that he ‘frequently experienced heavy shell-fire alongside the pier at Cape Helles during which he…coolly supervised the unloading of his ship.’

Archibald survived the war but died on board his ship after the Armistice was signed. He is buried in Istanbul.

Black and white photograph of Captain Lachlan Lamont from Ruaig.

Lachlan Lamont from Ruaig, captain of the SS `Sheerness` (see Q8).

1998.156.1

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Ruaig schoolchildren around 1905

Photograph of Ruaig schoolchildren around 1905.

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Courtesy of Mrs Anneen Black

Following the Education Act (Scotland) of 1872 when schooling became compulsory for all children between the ages of five and thirteen, five new schools were built in Tiree at Ruaig, Scarinish, Cornaigmore, Heylipol and Balemartine.

The Ruaig school served the east end of the island and replaced the schools at Kirkapol and Caoles. A former pupil, Danina MacKinnon of Brock, was examined in 1895 and was shown to have a ‘thorough efficiency in Reading, Writing and Arithmetic (embracing all the Standards of the Scotch Code).’

Her Merit Certificate certified her proficient in English, Geography, History, Domestic Economy and Gaelic and that her ‘character and conduct’ were ‘entirely satisfactory’. A surviving school jotter shows that she also learned Latin and Algebra.

Black and white photograph of Ruaig School around 1905.

Ruaig School around 1905. L-R: (back row) Margaret Storar, Caoles; Mary MacDonald, Sackhill; Flora MacFarlane, Vaul; Danina MacCallum, Port Ban; Joan MacKinnon, Vaul; Maggie MacFarlane, Vaul; Kate MacKinnon, Vaul; Bella Farquhar, Ruaig; Effie MacFarlane, Vaul; Catriona MacDonald, Caoles; Katie MacPhail, Vaul; (2nd back row) Charles MacLeod, Brock; Hugh MacLeod, Ruaig; Alasdair MacLeod, Ruaig; Hugh MacKinnon, Torr a’ Bhaile; Iain MacDonald, Sackhill; Colin MacIntyre, Milton; Iain MacDonald, Sackhill; Neil MacFadyen, Caoles; Hugh MacLean, Croish; John Alick MacArthur, Caoles; Donald A. MacDonald, Skipness; (2nd front row) Mary Margaret MacKinnon, Vaul; Morag MacDonald, Sackhill; Katie MacLean, Croish; Morag MacLean, Croish; Kirsty MacDonald, Skipness; Effie Clark, Ruaig; Katie MacLean, Vaul; Morag MacIntyre, Silversands; Marion MacKinnon, Rhum View; Lizzie (Bhan) Lamont; Katie Ann MacDonald, Skipness; (front row) Hugh MacFadyen, Caoles; John MacInnes, Ruaig; Maggie MacLeod, Brock; Mary MacLeod, Brock; Dolly Campbell, Vaul; Sarah MacDonald, Skipness; Hugh Hector MacArthur, Caoles; Donald MacLean, Croish.

1998.156.16

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Captain Archibald Lamont from Ruaig and his wife Mary

Photograph of Captain Archibald Lamont from Ruaig and his wife Mary (Mairi a’ Ghreusaiche) from Vaul.

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Courtesy of Mrs Anneen Black

Archibald Lamont, along with a number of other Master Mariners from Tiree, served in the Royal Naval Reserve during World War I. During the campaign in the Dardanelles, he was in command of the S.S. ‘Asteria’ and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

The DSC is awarded to Royal Navy personnel in recognition of ‘…gallantry during active operations against the enemy.’ The citation stated that Captain Lamont ‘has frequently experienced heavy shell-fire alongside the pier at Cape Hellas during which he has coolly superintended the unloading of his ship.’

Archibald survived the war but died on board his ship after the Armistice was signed. He is buried in Constantinople.

Black and white photograph of Captain Archibald Lamont from Ruaig and his wife Mary.

Captain Archibald Lamont from Ruaig and his wife Mary (Mairi a` Ghreusaiche) from Vaul. Archibald Lamont, along with a number of other Master Mariners from Tiree, served in the Royal Naval Reserve during World War I. During the campaign in the Dardanelles, he was in command of the S.S. `Asteria` and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.The DSC is awarded to Royal Navy personnel in recognition of `.gallantry during active operations against the enemy.` The citation stated that Captain Lamont `has frequently experienced heavy shell-fire alongside the pier at Cape Hellas during which he has coolly superintended the unloading of his ship.` Archibald survived the war but died on board his ship after the Armistice was signed. He is buried in Constantinople/Istanbul.

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