A Balemartine man remarked during World War II that ‘Hitler was the best local councillor that Tiree ever had!’ By this he meant that the arrival of the RAF in 1941 brought a remarkable improvement in the infrastructure of the island.
A three-runway airport was constructed, as well as hundreds of Nissen huts and two NAAFIs selling alcohol and showing films. In addition, the road network was upgraded to cope with the lorries carrying supplies between the pier, the RAF station at Crossapol and the radar base at Hough.
The main road to the east end of the island used to be along the sandy expanse of Tràigh Ghott, the beach along Gott Bay; the tarred road around the bay was laid in 1931. This photograph shows workmen gravelling the road up to the doctor’s surgery at Baugh.
Black and white photograph of road-building during WWII.
Black and white photograph of John Docherty and Margaret Campbell nee MacKechnie c. 1944.
John Docherty and Magaret Campbell nee MacKechnie in 1944 or 45. John was from Ireland and stayed with Maggie`s parents in Kilmoluaig while he worked on the roads.
Audio cassette recording of Archie MacKinnon interviewed by Maggie Campbell in Cornaigmore on 4/12/2002.
Archie MacKinnon of Cornaigmore talks to Maggie Campbell in December 2002 about the construction of the Cornaig to Scarinish road in 1934, the Ruaig to Caoles road in 1942, the Cornaigmore to Balevullin road in 1946, the Vaul road in 1948, quarrying, the mainland construction companies; a fatal accident on the Caoles road; laying stable floors; his work as a hammer man at the Croish and Vaul smiddies; the hospitality of the Vaul ladies. Èairdsidh ’Ic Fhionghain a Còrnaig Mhòr a bruidhinn ri Magaidh Chaimbeul anns an Dùbhlachd 2002 mun togail an rathaid Chòrnaig gu Sgairinis ann an 1934, rathad Ruiag gu ’n Chaolas ann an1942, rathad Chòrnaig Mhòr gu Baile Mhuilinn ann an 1946, luchd oibreach tìr mòr, tubaist bas mhòr air rathad Chaolais, a’ leagail ùrlar cloiche, obair na fear-bualaidh uird anns na Chrois agus Bhalla, caoimheachas boireannaich Bhalla.
Typewritten account of the construction of roads in Tiree between 1934 and 1954 by Archie MacKinnon, Cornaigmore.
Information about the construction of the Cornaig to Scarinish road in 1934, the Ruaig to Caoles road in 1942, the Cornaigmore to Balevullin road in 1946 and the Vaul road in 1948 written by Archie MacKinnon, Cornaigmore.
Photocopied letter from the factor Hugh MacDiarmid dated 20/5/1898.
Letter from the factor Hugh MacDiarmid dated 20/5/1898 to the Duke`s chamberlain about a new road through the Reef (with copy of O/S map) and the change of name of the main Post Office in Scarinish.
Letters regarding a disputed right of way through the commons of Kilmoluaig and Upper Cornaigmore, 1895
Copies of two letters: (1) from the factor Hugh MacDiarmid dated 24/7/1895 to the Duke`s chamberlain about a right of way through the commons of Kilmoluaig and Upper Carnaigmore claimed by a merchant Charles MacLean and a crofter John Cameron in Moss, and the breaking of the march dykes to effect the right of way, (2) to William Sproat dated 26/8/1895 from John Cameron of Moss about the disputed right of way through the march dykes of Kilmoluaig and Upper Cornaigmore farms.
Audio cassette recording of Neil Johnston, Heanish interviewed by Maggie Campbell in Heanish on 24/6/2002.
Maggie Campbell talks to Neil Johnston of Heanish in June 2002 about his work with the Council Roads Department, clearing cattle grids, tending the cemeteries, the gravel pit at Moss, and also the dances during the Glasgow Fair. Tha Magaidh Chaimbeul a’ bruidhinn ri Niall Mac Iain a Hianais anns an Òg Mhìos 2002 mun obair aige aig le Roinn nan Rathad aig a’ Chomhairle; a’ glanadh nan cliathan chruidh; a’ sgioblachadh nan cladh; an doc greabhail ’sa Mhòinteach; agus cuideachd dannsaichean aig An Fhèill Ghlaschu.
