Digitised copy of a Report of Enquiries made regarding Donald Sinclair, 20 August 1886.
Donald Sinclair was a joiner and Chairman of the Land Law Reform Association and one of the six arrested crofters who were taken to Inveraray. The report details how Sinclair was convicted on charges of theft in October 1877 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail, after breaking into a spirit shop at 55 London Street, Glasgow, and stealing beer or porter, champagne and gin.
Enclosed is a copy of a statement made by Neil MacKinnon (24 Raglan Street, Glasgow), a childhood friend of Sinclair. MacKinnon provides details of Sinclair’s good character, particularly following his time in prison, and claims that Sinclair is now an evangelist, teaches Sunday School and preaches, and that he is a fluent speaker in Gaelic on religious and political subjects. MacKinnon also provides details of Sinclair’s marriage to the daughter of ‘the largest merchant in Tiree’. The following people gave evidence on behalf of Sinclair: Mr McIntyre (publican), Mr McKechnie (the contractor), John McDonald (watchman), Donald McKechnie (contractor’s foreman). Apart from the publican, these were all natives of Tiree.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
Digitised copy of a letter from John G Campbell to the Duke of Argyll, 8 May 1865. Campbell sends a report on the state of Tiree schools; the increasing number of scholars in Kirkapol; the need for a stand for children’s plaids and shawls in wet weather; bringing the school under government inspection; attendance at Balephuil; remarks on the teacher at Balephuil; remarks on Mr McCowan at Balevullin; declining attendance at Free Church schools; presentation of prizes by Mr Geekie; aversion to emigration and comments on the reasons for this.
Attached is a table entitled ‘Schools in the Island of Tiree Examined March 1865’ containing data for Kirkapol, Heylipol, Balevullin, Balephuil, and Cornaig. Contains figures for: the number attending; number present at examination; number on the roll studying reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar, geography, Latin, Greek, geometry and mathematics, algebra, book-keeping.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
Digitised copy of Petition by the tenants of Ballinoe [sic], Tiree, Jul 1803.
The petition is submitted by Alexander McLean, Duncan Campbell, John Macdonald, John Brown, John Macphaill, Alexander Campbell, John Campbell, John Bell, Neil Campbell, Hector Campbell ,and John McFarlane – all tenants in Balinoe. The petition mentions that the tenants feel ‘harassed and oppressed’; being prevented from cutting peat; the Factor and surveyor taking advantage of the petitioners by purchasing cattle at an ‘under value’; proclamations at the church door; being bound to provide services to the Factor and his servants; the lack of a miller to grind their grain.
Pamphlet for the Seirbhis Ghaidhlig/Gaelic Service held at Eaglais na Mointich/Heylipol Church on 27 July 1986, to commemorate 100 years of the Crofters Act and crofting on Tiree. Hymn 1 was written by a local man from The Land who composed it after waking on the Moss sliabh/moor after a heavy drinking session.
Large, carved, wooden lamp-shade made in the 1960s by Hugh MacDonald, Kenovay, for the Church of Scotland at Kirkapol. It was installed above the pulpit when electricity first became available on the island.
Various personal cards belonging to Charles McLean (1917-1941), son of Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay, kept by his family after going missing in action while serving in the RAF during WWII. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
