Black and white photograph of John MacIntyre of Moss in the 1920s.
John MacIntyre (Iain Chailein) of Moss with a Clydesdale horse in the 1920s.
The souterrain in Kilkenneth in 1918
Photograph of John MacIntyre and his son Colin at the opened souterrain in Kilkenneth in 1918.
Courtesy of Mr Colin MacKinnon
John MacIntyre (Iain Chailein Mhurchaidh) and his son, Colin, are pictured here at the souterrain in Kilkenneth opened by chance when ploughing in 1918. It was later covered over.
Less than a mile away, a Y-shaped passage was exposed in the 1890s in the sand dunes at Tràigh Ghrianail. Measuring 9.2 metres long, 1 metre wide and 1.5 metres high, it was known locally as An Taigh Falaichte (the hidden house) and used for shelter by those working on the shore. It has since disappeared.
Similar underground structures were built on the mainland around 200 AD. They may have been used as byres or stores, or as places to hide from raiders.
Black and white photograph of John MacIntyre at the souterrain in Kilkenneth around 1920.
John MacIntyre at the rear of the horse and his son Colin at the opened souterrain in Kilkenneth around 1920.
Planting potatoes at Middleton in the 1920s
Photograph of Alasdair MacDonald planting potatoes with Lizzie MacArthur, Effie and Mary Ann MacDonald at Middleton in the 1920s.
Courtesy of Mr Lachie MacDonald
Taken in the 1920s, the photograph illustrates a standard plough used to prepare the ground for sowing corn. Because of the fine sandy soil in most of Tiree, a ridger was not successful.
The women followed in the furrow planting potatoes from the supplies heaped in their sack aprons and the ploughman made a second furrow to cover them. This process was repeated leaving a 45 cm space between the planted furrows for the grubber.
The Middleton seaweed factory operated by the North British Chemical Company can be seen in the background. Known locally as the Glassary, it ceased operation in 1901 and was demolished during World War II.
Black and white photograph of Alasdair MacDonald planting potatoes at Middleton in the 1920s.
Planting potatoes at Middleton, with the Glessary (as it was known) in the backgound in the 1920s. L-R: Lizzie MacArthur, Middleton and Greenhill – aunt of John MacArthur, Middleton Farm; Effie MacDonald, married to the late Archie Walker, Coll and Kenovaay, Tiree – aunt of Lachie MacDonald , Middleton; Mary Ann MacDonald – aunt of Lachie MacDonald, Middleton; Alasdair MacDonald – father of Lachie MacDonald, Middleton. The photograph illustrates a standard plough used to prepare the ground for sowing corn. Because of the fine sandy soils in most of Tiree, a ridger was not successful. Instead, the standard plough was used and the women followed in the furrow with supplies of potatoes heaped in their sack aprons. The ploughman made a second furrow to cover the potatoes. The same process was repeated thus leaving an 18 inch (45cm) space between planted furrows to allow the grubber to be used.
Audio cassette recording of Maggie Campbell talking to John George MacLean in Scarinish on 11/1/2000.
Maggie Campbell talks to John George MacLean in January 2000 about the pay and conditions of the workers building piers in Tiree, the lighter taking cargo to the steamers, the sling and crane used to lift livestock, the railway tracks down Gott Bay pier to the stores, the pier at Heanish, the coal puffers and the ‘Mary and Effie’, pier masters, and the Scarinish Hotel and shop. Tha Mairead Chaimbeul a’ bruidhinn ri Iain Dheòrsa Mac ’Ill ’Leathain a Sgairinis anns an Fhaoilteach 2000 mun phaigheadh agus shuidheachadh luchd-obrach nan cidhe Thiriodh; an geòla a giùlain luchd gu na bàtaichean-aiseig; an crann a thog beathaichean; an rathad-iarainn air a’ chidhe; cidhe Hianais; bàtaichean-guail agus am Mary and Effie, na maighstirean-cidhe; taigh-òsda Sgairinis agus Bùth Dhan.
Audio cassette recording of Alasdair MacKechnie and Angus MacLean talking to Maggie Campbell in October 1999.
Alasdair MacKechnie of Mull and Angus MacLean of Scarinish talk to Maggie Campbell in October 1999 about bringing cattle from Tiree to the Ross, the links between the Ross and Hynish when Skerryvore was being built, how fishermen came from South Uist to teach the Ross people how to fish at the time of the potato blight, the exchange of peat for potatoes with Tiree people, regular peat-cutting trips to the Ross from Tiree, the ferry links that used to exists; two songs are sung: Fàgail Loch Buidhe and Mhairi Mhin Mheall-Shieileach. Tha Alasdair ’IcEachairn a Muile agus Aonghas Dhòmhnuill Eòghainn Mhòr a Sgairinis a’ bruidhinn ri Magaidh Chaimbeul anns an Dàmhair 1999 mu bhi toirt beathaichean as Tiriodh gu ’n Ros, an co-cheangal a bha eadar An Ros agus Haoidhnis nuair a bha an Sgeir Mhòr ga togail, mar a thàinig iasgairean a Uibhist a Deas a dh’ ionnsachadh iasgach do mhuinntir an Ros an àm bliadhna a chailleadh am buntàta, an t-suaip mòine ri muinntir Thiriodh airson buntàta, cuairtean riaghailteach do ’n Ros airson mòine, co-cheangal bhàtaichean a b’ àbhaist a bhi ann; tha da òran air an seinn: Fàgail Loch Buidhe agus Mhàiri Mhìn Mheall-Shuilean