Photograph of the first sale at the new mart at Crossapol in 2003.
For many years crofters on Tiree battled to secure funding to replace the old market stance at Crossapol which had very limited facilities. During sheep and cattle sales, the lorries for transporting livestock caused an obstruction on the main road to the west of the island.
Funding for the project amounting to £532,000 was finally secured in December 2002. The funders were Argyll & the Islands Enterprise, Argyll & Bute Council, the Scottish Land Fund, SEERAD, the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, United Auctions, Scottish Natural Heritage and Investors in Society.
The Rural Centre was officially opened on the 21st August 2003. The ribbon at the entrance to the Centre was cut by Donald MacIntyre and Iain MacInnes, the island’s oldest and youngest crofters respectively. The following day saw the first sale of a pen of eight lambs donated by the directors of Tiree Rural Development.
Colour photograph of the first sale in the new mart in 2003.
Lambs in the first sale at the new mart on the day of the opening of the Rural Centre at Crossapol in August 2003.
Colour photograph of Robert Beck, Ewan MacKinnon and Dorinda Johnston in 2003.
Ewan MacKinnon of Hillcrest, Balephetrish speaking at the opening of the Rural Centre at Crossapol in August 2003. Also pictured are Robert Beck of Ruaig and Dorinda Johnston of Balevullin.
Colour photograph of Jane Isaacson, Robert Beck and Ewan MacKinnon in 2003.
Ewan MacKinnon of Hillcrest, Balephetrish speaking at the opening of the Rural Centre at Crossapol in August 2003. Also pictured are Jane Isaacson of Kenovay and Robert Beck of Ruaig.
Local news including possible lack of funding for the Continuing Care Unit at Taigh a` Rudha, the lambs and sheep sale, the new Care & Repair scheme for the elderly and disabled, the open day at the Rural Centre, the Tiree Wave Classic and news from the school and golf club.
