Kirsty MacKinnon (Cìorstaidh Ailein) and her half brother, Lachie MacDonald (Lachainn Dhòmhnaill) opened a shop in Balemartine that became the second largest shop on the island.
Their house and shop was built by Hugh MacKinnon, the contractor in Crossapol, for £600. When asked why it was being built so high, Lachie replied, “Tha mi sgith de thòit Ghorraig” (“I am tired of the smoke of Gorraig”, an old name for that part of Balemartine which had a bad reputation).
Lachie took over the coal business from Hugh MacLean of Balemartine. He brought in coal on puffers such as the ‘Starlight’ and the ‘Moonlight’ to Soroby beach, where there is still a mooring ring to mark the spot.
Black and white photograph previously attributed to Donald MacFadyen, Scarinish (b. 29/4/1852). Now attributed to his brother John MacFadyen (b. 2/10/1833, emigrated to Australia)
Previously attributed to Donald MacFadyen (b. 1852), storekeeper in Scarinish, son of Allan MacPhaiden and Amelia Stewart.
Colour photograph of John Thomson Skinner outside the Crofters.
John Thomson Skinner of Crossapol, manager of the West Highland Crofters and Farmers Ltd outlet on Tiree, outside the new building on the day in opened in 1978-9.
