Photocopied extracts from the County of Argyll Sixth Annual Report by the Medical Officer of Health Dr Roger MacNeill, pp 44-45.
Report by Dr Buchanan about the improvement in housing in Tiree, especially cottars` housing.
2001.97.29
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Tag Archives: cottars
2001.97.30
Photocopied extracts from the County of Argyll Eighth Annual Report by the Medical Officer of Health Dr Roger MacNeill, pp 20-21,36-39.
Report of three cases of scarlet fever in Tiree and continuing improvements in the housing stock.
2000.59.1
Family tree for John MacPhaiden of Mannal and two colour photographs of gravestones in Tiverton, Ontario.
Family tree for John MacPhaiden, cottar then crofter at Mannal and his wife Effy Campbell (c.1803-1868) of Gortendonell, some or all whom emigrated to Canada; photograph of Effy`s gravestone; photograph of the gravestone of Captain Duncan MacFadyen (1846?-1902) and his wife Annie.
1999.155.1
Photocopied leaflet `Tiree Food Producers Sent To Prison`.
Leaflet produced by the Highland Land League about eight Tiree men who were sent to prison in 1918 for occupying land in Balephetrish leased by Thomas Barr.
1999.69.1
Tiree Food Producers Sent To Prison
Transcription of a Highland Land League publication of 1918 titled ‘Tiree Food Producers Sent To Prison’.
Courtesy of Mr Hugh MacLeod
During World War I, the Government encouraged people to cultivate unused land. It also instructed the Board of Agriculture for Scotland in 1914 to break up large farms for returning servicemen. The Board decided to take over the lease of 137 acres of Balephetrish farm for small holdings.
However, Thomas Barr, the tenant of Balephetrish farm, claimed £1,243 in compensation which the Board refused to pay although it allocated the land to a number of applicants. By 1918, eight Tiree cottars could wait no longer and ploughed 30 acres of Balephetrish farm and planted potatoes and other crops.
They were arrested and taken to Oban where they were welcomed like heroes by the local branch of the Highland Land League. At the subsequent court hearing they were found guilty and sentenced to ten days in prison with the recommendation that ‘they be treated to the privileges of political prisoners’.
1998.170.6
Photocopied letter dated 12/9/1893 to the County Clerk from a group of cottars and fishermen.
Letter dated 12/9/1893 to the County Clerk from a group of cottars and fishermen wanting to rent land in Crossapol or Heylipol..
1998.170.9
Photocopied letter dated 9/9/1893 to the County Clerk from a group of Tiree cottars.
Letter dated 9/9/1893 to the County Clerk from a group of Tiree cottars looking for land to rent in Hynish under the Small Holdings Scotland Act of 1892.
1998.170.10
Photocopied petition dated 1893 to Argyll County Council from a group of Tiree cottars.
Petition dated 1893 to Argyll County Council from a group of cottars from Kilmoluaig, Balevullin, Sandaig, Kilkenneth, Moss, Cornaigmore, Cornaigbeg, Kenovay and Barrapol, all wanting to rent land under the Small Holdings Scotland Act of 1892.
1998.170.11
1893 petition to the County Council
Transcription of a petition of 1893 to the County Clerk by Tiree cottars asking to benefit under the Small Holdings Act.
Courtesy of Argyll & Bute Archives
The Crofters Holdings (Scotland) Act of 1886 introduced a new form of land tenure based on security of tenure, fair rents, and compensation for permanent improvements at the termination of a tenancy. The new Act only applied to holdings which were held on a yearly tenancy and whose annual rent did not exceed £30.
Cottars who had no crofts remained outside the political settlement until 1892 when the Small Holdings Act enabled County Councils to acquire suitable land ‘for the purpose of providing small holdings for persons who…will themselves cultivate the holdings.’
In 1893 forty-two cottars, most of whom were formerly in possession of crofts, petitioned the County Clerk William Sproat asserting the demand for small holdings on the island and claiming their right to benefit under the new Act.
1998.170.12
Photocopied petition dated 19/11/1892 to the County Clerk from a group of Tiree cottars.
Petition dated 19/11/1892 to Argyll County Council from a group of cottars from Balemartine, Mannal, Balinoe and Barrapol, all wanting to rent land under the Small Holdings Scotland Act of 1892.
