Audio cassette recording of Ailig MacArthur, Heylipol, interviewed by Maggie Campbell in Heylipol on 24/5/2002.
Maggie Campbell talks to Ailig MacArthur (Ailig a’ Chìobair) of Heylipol in 2002 about his work as fireman at Tiree airport and the different types of service planes used, crofting and how its affected by the Environmentally Sensitive Area scheme and the grant system, how crofts are being amalgamated into farms, cattle sales and the local wildlife especially geese, the shops in Balemartine and Balephuil and the shop vans, story-telling. Tha Ailig Mac Artair (Ailig a’ Chìobair) a’ bruidhinn ri Magaidh Chaimbeul ann an 2002, mu ’n obair a bh’ aige aig Port Adhair Thiriodh, nuair a bha e na fhear-smalaidh, na h-itealan a bha air an cleachdadh, croitearachd agus mar a tha an sgeama an ‘Environmentally Sensitive Area’, a’ beantal do ’n eilean, mar tha croitean air an cur còmhla mar bhaile-fhearainn, fèill cruidh, eunlainn an eilean, gu sònraichte na geòidh, bùthan ann am Baile Mhàrtainn agus Bail’ a’ Phuill, carabadan agus naidheachdan.
Black and white photograph taken at Port an Tobair in 1950.
Port an Tobair, 1950. L-R: Donald MacDonald, Allan MacFadyen, Lachie MacDonald, Tilda MacDonald, Archie MacDonald, Lachie MacArthur, Hugh MacFadyen, Duncan MacArthur, all of Balemartine.
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.
Audio cassette recording of 1985 BBC Reidio nan Gaidheal programme about the Balemartine bard by Donald Meek.
Professor Donald Meek talks on BBC Reidio nan Gaidheal in 1985 about the Balemartine bard, John MacLean (1827-1895), his songs and poetry including A’ Chailinn Mhaiseach Dhonn, Calum Beag, Di-moladh na Tea, Manitoba and Breacan Màiri Uisdean, the community he lived in, clearances, emigration and Land Leagues. Tha an Àrd-Ollamh Dòmhnall Meek a’ bruidhinn air Rèidio nan Gàidheal ann an 1985 mu Bhàrd Bhaile Mhartainn, Iain Mac ’Ill ’Leathain (1827-1895); na h-òrain ’s am bàrdachd aige nam measg A’ Chailinn Mhaiseach Dhonn, A’ Chaluim Bhig, Dì-Moladh na Tea, Manitoba agus Breacan Mairi Uisdein; a’ choimhearsnachd; eilthireachd; agus Tirisdich a shabaid an aghaidh nan uachdaranan.
