Cases visited in Tiree during the Poor Law Inquiry of 1843
Transcription of an extract from the Minutes of Evidence of the Poor Law Inquiry in 1843 with notes of cases visited on Tiree.
Two Commissioners from the Poor Law Inquiry visited Tiree in 1843, one of whom was shown round a sample of thirty poor families across the island by a Mr MacLean of Hynish. Half of the cases visited were on the Poor Roll and received four to six shillings a year from the Parish.
By 1841 the population of Tiree had swelled to 4,961, double what it had been fifty years previously and more than the island could comfortably support. Nearly half the inhabitants were estimated to be living in deep poverty.
Widows with children and elderly spinsters were particularly vulnerable as were landless cottars without a trade. The able-bodied poor had no legal right to assistance and were expected to find employment on the mainland.
Local news including the proposed community buy-out of Sruthan Stores, the possibility of leasing the petrol pumps at the Crofters, continuing sales of petrol at Balemartine, report from the GP about radioactive material from Sellafield on the west coast, Kilmoluaig – part 1 by Sandy MacKinnon and a breakdown of Tiree`s population by age.
Photocopied extract from book `The Third Statistical Account of Scotland`, pp 127-131.
Account of Tiree written by Malcolm M. MacLean in 1953. Includes population figures from 1801-1951 censuses and paragraphs about the island`s history, its churches, housing, education and transport.
Newspaper cuttings about the new mart and jobs on Tiree, 2002
Two newspaper cuttings from the Oban Times, Nov. 2002: (1) `New project officer appointed to push on Tiree mart plans` – continuing application for funding to appoint a project officer to promote the new mart, (2) `Politicians want jobs for Tiree` – Argyll & Bute MPs press for public service jobs to based on Tiree.
Original and photocopied report `Tiriodh agus Colla: A social and economic geolinguistic study` by Clive James, Caernarvon, Wales in 1991.
The numbers of Gaelic speakers in the Hebridean islands in Argyll from 1891 to 1981 focussing on Tiree and Coll and the relationship between economic strength and cultural and linguistic survival.
Newspaper cutting about incomers` views of Tiree, with photocopies.
Views of Jack and Audrey Carter and John and Nancy Martin on living on Tiree, and Article on Mary and Elizabeth Robertson`s garden and craft shop at the Glebe.
