Handwritten letter, dated 21 June 1883, from Hector McDonald, Lochgilphead, to Lachlan (a’ Mharsanta / the merchant) McLean (1836-1921), Kenovay, regarding the activities of the Royal Commission and the hardships of Tiree crofters. The letter is very probably referring to Crofters’ rights and the Napier Commission. Includes the remains of the original envelope stamped by both Lochgilphead and Oban post offices. Part of a large collection of items belonging to and about Donald Archibald McLean, Kenovay (1890-1981), and his family.
Photograph of the Napier Commission play at An Talla in 2006
Colour photograph of Tiree amateur actors performing scenes from a play about the Napier Commission 1883 into the living conditions and treatment of crofters during the 1800s. Directed by Mabel MacArthur and performed at An Talla during the A` Bhuain homecoming in spring 2006. On stage (L-R): Barbara MacIntyre, Gott; John Fletcher, Balemartine; John Bowler, Balephuil (as Lord Napier); unknown; Lachie Brown, Balevullin; Mark Beese, Kilmoluaig; John MacLean, Balephuil; `Bear` MacKinnon, Balinoe; Alasdair `Billy the Post`. Original held on CD in filing cabinet 10 drawer 1.
Photograph of a packed audience in An Talla in 2006
Colour photograph of An Talla`s main hall at full capacity (and some more) during a performance of the Napier Commission play in 2006. The play was written and performed for the A` Bhuain homecoming of the Tiree diaspora. Original held on CD in filing cabinet 10 drawer 1.
Photograph of a play about the Napier Commission in An Talla in 2006
Colour photograph of Tiree amateur actors on stage in An Talla during the A` Bhuain homecoming in spring 2006. The play was based on the Napier Commission of 1883 held to investigate the living conditions and treatment of crofters in the late 1800s. On stage are (L-R): Barbara MacIntyre, Gott; John Fletcher, Balemartine; John Bowler, Balephuil (as Lord Napier); unknown group; Danny Lapsley, Caoles; unknown at lecturn; `Bear` MacKinnon, Balinoe; Mark Beese, Kilmoluaig; John MacLean, Balephuil; Alasdair `Billy the Post`; Rebecca Wright, Heylipol; unknown children. Original held on CD in filing cabinet 10 drawer 1.
‘Tiree – an unauthorised biography’ – a history of Tiree and its people by William Clelland, 2009.
Text on CD-ROM about the history of Tiree and its people compiled by Australian descendant of Tiree, William Clelland. Includes chapters on the geography of the island, archaeology and first settlers, Christianity and the Gaelic language, Vikings and the wider Scottish history, overpopulation, black houses, kelp and education, evictions and emmigration, Napier Commission, Tiree bards. Index. Appendices including Tiree place names, weapons held by Tiree men and whether `rebel` in 1715, Argyll Estate report of 1737, prisoners of the `45 rebellion, sales from farms, Old Parish Register for marriages and baptisms 1766-1854, households and population 1747-1901, Napier Commission evidence and witness statements 1883, population census 1779-1891. For appendices see 2009.123.2-11.
Appendix I: Witnesses before the Napier Commission, from “Tiree – an unauthorised biography”
Printout of Appendix I: Witnesses before the Napier Commission, from “Tiree – an unauthorised biography”. List of the names, ages, occupations and townships of the Tiree witnesses that stood before the Napier Commission in 1883.
Paperback book `The Highland Clearances` by Eric Richards.
An account of the origins of the Clearances in the 18th century, the crofting legislation of the 1880s and how the the process of clearance was part of a wider European movement of rural depopulation.
