Black and white photograph of a prize-winning Clydesdale mare at the 1927 agricultural show.
Prize-winning Clydesdale mare at the 1927 Tiree Show in Scarinish, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
The long jump
Photograph of the long jump at the Agricultural Show sports in 1927.
Courtesy of Mr Ronnie MacLean
The long jump at the Agricultural Show sports day in Scarinish. This picture is from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled ‘1927’.
Black and white photograph of the long jump at the 1927 agricultural show.
The long jump at the 1927 Tiree Show sports in Scarinish, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
Black and white photograph of a prize mare and foal at the 1927 agricultural show.
Prize mare and foal belonging to Donald MacDougall of Ruaig at the agricultural show of 1927, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
John MacNeill of Greenhill with his champion Clydesdale mare
Photograph of John MacNeill of Greenhill with his champion Clydesdale mare in 1927.
Courtesy of Mr Ronnie MacLean
John MacNeill of Greenhill was photographed at the Agricultural Show at Scarinish in 1927 with his champion Clydesdale mare. Until the 1950s, crofting depended on draught horses for ploughing and transporting crops.
Clydesdales were introduced to Tiree around the 1870s by Tom Barr, the tenant of Balephetrish farm, and crossed with the local ponies. The resulting animals were comparatively light and fast and were occasionally ridden or driven in gigs.
Continued use of Clydesdale stallions resulted in Tiree becoming famous in the early 20th century for the production of this breed, with the sale of colts and fillies becoming one of the most important sources of income for the island.
Black and white photograph of a champion Clydesdale mare at the 1927 agricultural show.
Champion Clydesdale mare belonging to John MacNeill of Greenhill at the agricultural show of 1927, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
Black and white photograph of prize-winning cow at the 1927 agricultural show.
Prize-winning cow at the agricultural show of 1927, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
Black and white photograph of the high jump at the 1927 agricultural show.
The high jump at the agricultural show of 1927, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
Black and white photograph of a champion Clydesdale mare at the 1927 agricultural show.
Champion Clydesdale mare belonging to John MacNeill of Greenhill at the agricultural show of 1927, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
The Agricultural Show at Scarinish in 1927
Photograph of the 1927 Agricultural Show at Scarinish.
Courtesy of Mr Ronnie MacLean
Prior to World War II, the Show was held at the school in Scarinish. It was run by a committee comprising of one crofter from each township. The committee met each March to decide on the judges who came from Tobermory, Bunessan, Oban, Kerrera and sometimes as far afield as Stirling.
Crofters would get up at five or six in the morning to walk their animals to the Show venue. The horses were judged in a roped-off area within the school grounds, the cattle and sheep in specially erected pens, ducks and hens in coops at the back of the school.
Home Industry entries, such as butter, cheese, eggs, sewing and knitting, were displayed inside the school itself. To sustain the competitors and spectators, teas were served throughout the day in the marquee. Water for the teas was boiled on an open fire built against the playground wall.
Black and white photograph of the 1927 agricultural show held in Scarinish.
The 1927 Tiree Show with Scarinish School in the background, from a small photograph album from Silversands in Vaul titled 1927.
The Tiree Agricultural Show was started in the 1880s by Tom Barr, the tenant of Balephetrish farm, to encourage the local crofters to improve their breed of horses. Around 1900 a stirk would fetch £4 to £5 whereas a good year-old filly foal would fetch £25 to £30.
Prior to World War II, the Show was held at the school in Scarinish. It was run by a committee comprising of one crofter from each township. The committee which met each March to select judges, all of whom came from outside the island.
The horses were judged in a roped-off area within the school grounds, the cattle and sheep in specially erected pens, ducks and hens in coops at the back of the school and inside the school itself Home Industry entries, such as butter, cheese, eggs, knitting and sewing. Children could enter drawing and painting competitions.
To sustain the competitors and spectators, teas were served throughout the day in the marquee. Water for the teas was boiled on an open fire built against the playground wall.
After the judging, there were piping and dancing competitions and field sports. The piping competition was confined to locals and was often won by John MacLean of the Brae, Cornaigbeg. The sports included running, the high jump and long jump. There was a greasy pole competition, the prize for which was a bottle of whiskey, unusual on a temperance island. It was often won by John Bunting (Willie’s brother). The last event was a fiercely contested tug-of-war between the islanders and visitors.
After the sports, the prizes were given out from the shelter in the playground. The next day, the committee went out for a meal together.
(Information from Donald MacIntyre, Gott)
Black and white photograph of a Tiree regatta in 1981.
Tiree regatta off Scarinish in 1981.
Black and white photograph of a Tiree regatta around 1987-8.
Tiree regatta around 1987-8. L-R: (front row) ? Peter Whyte, son of Iain Whyte (12); ?; ? Rona MacKenzie, daughter of Alex, Harbour, Milton; ? Morag Ann, daughter of Donald Mackinnon (8); ? Iain MacKinnon, son of Donald Mackinnon (8); Alasdair MacArthur, Barrapol, brother of (23) & (28); (middle row) Duncan MacLean, Caolas, brother of Billy (16); Donald MacKinnon the Plumber, Sandaig; Alasdair (Etty) MacDonald, son of Alasdair (22); Gavin Carter, Crossapol; Christine, wife of Donald Iain Kennedy; Iain Whyte, Hydro-Electric; Lachie MacFarlane, Hynish; John MacLean, son of Duncan (7); Neil MacDonald, Skipnish; Alasdair (Billy) MacLean, brother of Duncan (7); Iain Aonghais MacKinnon, Kilmoluaig; Mike Stanfield; Charlie MacLean, Salum; Duncan MacPhee (Donnachadh Tèasaidh); Lachie Beaton, Bank Manager; (back row)Alasdair MacDonald, Mannal; ? John MacArthur, Barrapol, brother of (6) & (28); Douglas MacDonald, son of Alasdair (22); Simon Latham, Port a’ Mhuilinn, Baugh; Duncan MacInnes, Ruaig; Donald Farquar, Balemartine; Archie MacArthur, Barrapol, brother of (6) & (23); Dougie Campbell, Haven, Vaul; Lorna Munroe, PE teacher; Donald MacLean, Mannal; Willie Bunting, Crossapol; Donald MacIntyre, Gott (Dòmhnall a’ Ghobhainn; Iain MacDonald, Balemartine; Donald Kennedy, Port Ban, Caoles (Dòmhnall Bàn).
