Colour photograph of Robert Beck, Ewan MacKinnon and Dorinda Johnston in 2003.
Ewan MacKinnon of Hillcrest, Balephetrish speaking at the opening of the Rural Centre at Crossapol in August 2003. Also pictured are Robert Beck of Ruaig and Dorinda Johnston of Balevullin.
Colour photograph of Jane Isaacson, Robert Beck and Ewan MacKinnon in 2003.
Ewan MacKinnon of Hillcrest, Balephetrish speaking at the opening of the Rural Centre at Crossapol in August 2003. Also pictured are Jane Isaacson of Kenovay and Robert Beck of Ruaig.
Colour photograph of Jane Isaacson cutting the ribbon to open the new mart in 2003.
Jane Isaacson of Kenovay cutting the ribbon at the new mart at the opening of the Rural Centre at Crossapol in August 2003.
Colour photograph of Donald MacIntyre of Gott inspecting lambs at the first sale at the new mart in 2003.
Donald MacIntyre of Gott, Tiree`s oldest crofter, inspecting lambs at the first sale at the new mart on the day of the opening of the Rural Centre in August 2003.
First sale at the new mart
Photograph of the first sale at the new mart at Crossapol in 2003.
For many years crofters on Tiree battled to secure funding to replace the old market stance at Crossapol which had very limited facilities. During sheep and cattle sales, the lorries for transporting livestock caused an obstruction on the main road to the west of the island.
Funding for the project amounting to £532,000 was finally secured in December 2002. The funders were Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, Argyll & Bute Council, the Scottish Land Fund, SEERAD, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, United Auctions, Scottish Natural Heritage and Investors in Society.
The Rural Centre was officially opened on the 21st August 2003. The ribbon at the entrance to the Centre was cut by Donald MacIntyre and Iain MacInnes, the island’s oldest and youngest crofters respectively. The following day saw the first sale of a pen of eight lambs donated by the directors of Tiree Rural Development.
Colour photograph of the first sale in the new mart in 2003.
Lambs in the first sale at the new mart on the day of the opening of the Rural Centre at Crossapol in August 2003.
Colour photograph of Donald Morrison auctioning model cows at the opening of the Rural Centre in 2003.
Donald Morrison auctioning model cows with Sophie Isaacson of Kenovay at the opening of the Rural Centre in 2003.
United Auctions catalogue for the sheep and lamb sale in September 2003.
United Auctions catalogue for the sheep and lamb sale held at the Rural Centre in September 2003.
Black and white photograph of a dead killer whale on Crossapol beach.
Dead killer whale on Crossapol beach in 1989.
Black and white photograph of Colin MacPhail of Crossapol House.
Colin MacPhail of Crossapol House with a Clydesdale mare and foal.
Crossapol NAAFI during World War II
Photograph of Crossapol NAAFI during World War II.
Courtesy of Mr Willie Dickie
Created in 1921, the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) provide retail and leisure services to the British Armed Forces and their families. There were two on Tiree during World War II situated at Crossapol and Hough.
Occasionally in the winter, the clientele would have ‘a bit of session in the NAAFI’, sitting round the stove and plunging red-hot pokers into pints of beer. Pianos apparently didn’t last long. One eyewitness saw a tray loaded with plates of mince and potatoes emptied into the top of the piano. The plates were retrieved but the contents were not.
The RAF Embarkation Unit at Scarinish created their own pub in a Nissen hut which they called the Pier Arms. It had a proper bar, a few tables and chairs and was cosy and warm although the beer was reported to be no better.
Black and white photograph of Crossapol NAAFI during World War II.
Crossapol NAAFI during World War II. L-R: (back) Neil MacDonald, Kenovay (Niall Dubh); (middle) unknown; unknown; Eliza MacLean, Balephetrish; Marion MacDonald, Kenovay; Cathie MacKinnon, Kilmoluaig; Sheena MacKinnon, Cornaigbeg; Chrissie Shaw, Skye; unknown; Effie Dickie nee MacKinnon, Caoles; unknown; unknown; Chrissie Murray, Lewis; unknown; (front) unknown store manager; Isobel Johnston nee MacDonald, Milton; unknown cook, Barra; unknown cook, Lewis; unknown manageress (married to Lochmaddy piermaster); cook Dolly MacLean nee MacCallum, Hough; cook Cathie MacLean, Heylipol; cook Betty Campbell, Skye; van driver Adam; Effie MacDonald, Kinlochleven.
