Transcript of a Police Report submitted to Tobermory Procurator Fiscal charging Donald McLean with Breach of the Public Peace on 13 April 1861.
McLean (boatman, Kenovay) is accused of committing a Breach of the Peace on board the Islesman Steamer. The report mentions a fight between Donald Campbell Esquire (the Reef) and Alexander McLean (Scarinish). Furthermore, the Stewart on board the Islesman Steamer is charged with the offense of the Act of License for supplying spirits. Alexander Buchanan Esquire (Scarinish), Archibald Brown (shipowner, Manal), Archibald McKinnon (shoemaker, Scarinish) and Neil McLean (fisherman, Caoles) are named as witnesses.
Digitised copy of Letter from Malcolm McLaurine, chamberlain of Tiree, to the Duke of Argyll, 15 Apr 1803. McLaurine discusses: carrying out the plan of four mail lands; threat of emigration; crofts; joint occupation of the mail lands; obtaining compliance with the mail lands scheme; fishing; mills; encroachment of the Reef; barley and distilling; smuggling of gin brandy and tobacco. In a post script, McLaurine discusses tenants, mail lands, and quarrying tools.
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Digital copy of Memorial by Donald Campbell, factor of Tiree, 1754. Campbell writes of problems with the inhabitants who ‘not having anything to do for a great part of the year spend their time in drinking and caballing’, and informs the Duke that the soil is suitable for the ‘raising of Flax’ and that the only industry the inhabitants show any fondness for is spinning and weaving. Campbell also discusses the possibility of producing ‘oznaburgs’ (plain weave fabric woven in flax) in Tiree.
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From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
Photographs of three items belonging to the family of island factor Hugh MacDiarmid (1846-1928), who lived at Island House, Heylipol, during 1876-1928. Top: an Entada phasaeoloides ‘sea-bean’ found on the beach by the factor’s daughter, Meta MacDiarmid, and made into a pendant for her (possibly by her fiancee). Middle: brass plaque from a wooden box of silver plated cutlery presented by people of Tiree to Meta on her marriage. Bottom: a coffee or chocolate pot presented by the Duke of Argyll to Hugh MacDiarmid in 1906, probably on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
Green glass soda/mineral water bottle known as a ‘torpedo’ or ‘Hamilton’ bottle. The bottom is round so that it must be stored on its side in order to keep the cork wet and prevent the gas from escaping. Torpedo bottles were manufactured during most of the 1800s. Found in rocks on Gott Bay.
Brown glass beer bottle made by James Aitken & Co, Brewers, Falkirk, found at an old dump at Vaul. Aitken’s Brewery operated from 1900 until 1960. The bottle probably contained it’s 90% ale or export.
Green glass beer bottle with a screw top made by George Younger, Meadow & Candleriggs Brewery, Alloa, which was operational during 1897-1963. Found at Garradh Mor, Moss, in 2017 and probably dating from the 1950s.