Digitised copy letter regarding erecting a pier at Gott Bay, undated (c.1880s). The letter outlines the troubles with constructing a pier at Gott bay, due to the force of the wind and waves particularly during the winter, as well as the high cost of estimates for the work (between £7,000 and £13,360) as well as the cost of maintenance. The writer refers to the reluctance of engineers to undertake the project, and also mentions the Report of the late Western Highlands and Islands Commission. The writer also refers to a recent accident involving a boat being upset in Gott Bay while attending on a steamer. Neither the recipient or writer is identified.
From the archives of the Dukes of Argyll at Inveraray Castle, made available through the Written in the Landscape project.
Digitised copy of a Report from Heylipol Public School for the winter months, February 1883. The report was written for the Duke of Argyll by J McFarlane and is divided into observations on ‘attendance’, ‘progress’, ‘general’ and ‘state of the island’ and contains remarks on: attendance for December 1882 to February 1883; the affect of weather on attendance; subjects taught and standards; appointment of compulsory officers; comments on parents and their attitudes to education; and teachers. McFarlane also discusses unrest in the island (the ‘wild & extravagant ideas that originally started in Ireland’ and the ‘circulation of pernicious & revolutionary literature’) and refers to a petition signed by crofters in the west end. He recounts a conversation with a man named Donald, a crofter in Balevullin, and also refers to the consequences of inadequate farming techniques.
Transcript of Precognition of Witnesses submitted to Henry Nisbet, Tobermory Procurator Fiscal, regarding the sudden deaths of Malcolm McKinnon and Ann or Nancy MacDougall or Burnett on 3 October 1860. McKinnon and MacDougall/Burnett died when a mail packet ran ashore in Glenbeg, near Loch Sunart, during a storm. Statements are provided from:
Hector Lamont (master and owner of a mail packet, Kirkapol. Brother-in-Law of Malcolm McKinnon, deceased) Archibald McFadyen (seaman, Kirkapol) Niel McLean (crofter, Ruaig) Niel McKinnon (Arinagour, Coll) Alexander Campbell (Inland Revenue Officer, Broadford, Isle of Skye. Sister-in-Law of Ann or Nancy McDougall or Burnett)
A transcript of the Inventory of Precognition regarding the deaths of nine fishermen in the Balephuil fishing diaster. This document provides statements from witnesses to a great storm in July of 1856 which claimed the lives of nine men from Balephuil: Archibald McLean (age 50), Donald McLean (aged 29), Colin McDonald (aged 40), Alexander McDonald (aged 42), Neil Kennedy (aged 18), Hugh Kennedy (aged 14) and Hugh McKinnon (aged 14), John Campbell (aged 29) and Malcom McArthur (aged 55).
Statements are given by witnesses to the tragedy as well as by relatives of the deceased, including: Malcolm McDougall (Fisherman, Balephuil); John MacPhail (aged 23, Fisherman, Balephuil); Isabella Black or MacLean (aged 40, widow of Archibald MacLean); George MacLean Esq (Tenant, Hynish); William Wilson (aged 28, Surgeon, Scarinish).
Digitised copy of Letter from Malcolm McLaurine, chamberlain of Tiree, to the Duke of Argyll, 10 Mar 1802. In this letter McLaurine discusses: timber claimed but not proved; sending a sample of wine from a cask lying in a barn; rents due; distilling; barley and coals; Clyde Packet; the island being cut off due to stormy weather; opening a weekly communication with the post office at Tobermory; the ground officer; methods to find a good school master; model of a wind miln [windmill]; poor enclosure on McLaurine’s farm.
Digital book and video of an art project ‘Along/between/across: Sand, Grass, Wind, Brick, Studio’ centred around the exploration and artistic expression of Tiree’s natural environment. Researched during a two-week stay on Tiree in summer 2018 by Sabine Kussmaul of the University of Chester.
A large book of photographs of temporary installations and on-site drawings, named ‘Practice Routes, Side lines, Undercurrents’, is held on An Iodhlann’s archive computer (too large to upload).
Newspaper article about the Balephuil fishing disaster, 1856
Photocopy of a newspaper article from the Glasgow Herald, July 1856 (and typed transcript by donor), about the loss of nine fishermen in a storm off Balephuil in 1856. Thirty-nine men set off fishing in six boats but were overtaken by a gale. Thirty out of thirty-three men survived in three boats that made it to Islay. All six were lost from one boat that came ashore on Coll.
Booklet tracing the history of Tiree`s weather station and early flights to the island, the RAF, traditional methods of forecasting the weather and weather extremes. Researched by Dr John Holliday for a summer exhibition at An Iodhlann.
Photograph of Alasdair Sinclair, Brock, as a “young inventor” ca. 1940
Black & white photograph of Alasdair Sinclair (1923-2009), Brock, as a boy with a hand-made `sail-bike` on the machair. Alasdair grew up to be an international engineer. He was also one of An Iodhlann`s most enthusiastic co-founders. (original stored in filing cabinet 9 drawer 4)
Large colour document about the geology, wildlife, environment and economy of Scotland`s coastal waters. Produced as a consultation document for the Scottish Government to shape the Scottish Marine Plan for future management of the coast line. Contributions by Ian Boyd, St Andrews University and Balephuil.
