Township: middleton

1999.284.1

Audio cassette recording of Donald MacArthur, Middleton talking to Maggie Campbell in December 1999.

Donald MacArthur of Middleton talks to Maggie Campbell in December 1999 about crofting today compared to how it was when he started, how the wetter weather, subsidies for late cutting and fewer people working the land have contributed to the change from hay-making to silage, about using fertilisers rather than seaweed, keeping cattle outside because of SEPA rules, the changes in cattle transportation and the paperwork involved, changing prices, the effects of BSE, a strong pound and subsidies; he gives his thoughts about the future of crofting in Tiree, diversification, the need for community spirit and religious faith.

1998.276.1

Audio cassette recording of Hector MacPhail talking at the Scarinish Hotel in January 1998.

Hector MacPhail of Ruaig talks at the Scarinish Hotel on 31st January 1998 about emigration to Canada, New Zealand and Patagonia, the Duke of Argyll’s factors, the MacNiven family, cattle droves, smacks and schooners, the shops at Middleton and Hynish, three Tiree men who emigrated to Seattle, ancient graveyards, a school trip to Dundee, Captain Donald MacKinnon of the Taeping, the Downie family, emigration history at Inverary Archives, CalMac boats, the storms in 1953 and 1968, the emigrations of 1855 and 1877. (Continued on AC43)

2000.84.2

Black and white photograph of the crew of the Letitia, Glasgow, 1917.

The crew of the `Letitia` of Glasgow in 1916-17. Back row: (2nd left) Charlie MacDonald, Ruaig – uncle to Mary Flora MacKinnon, Balephetrish and Margaret MacInnis, Ruaig; (3rd left) John MacArthur – father of John MacArthur, Middleton Farm; (2nd right) Alasdair MacDonald – father to Lachie MacDonald, Middleton; (1st right) John MacKinnon, Balephetrish – uncle to John MacKinnon (Iain Aonghais), Kilmoluaig. The ship ran aground at Halifax NS on 1.8.1917 and was abandoned on 4.8.1917.

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2000.84.3

The crew of the ‘Baron Polwarth’

Photograph of the crew of the ‘Baron Polwarth’ in 1916.

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Courtesy of Mr Lachie MacDonald

The ‘Baron Polwarth’ was a tramp steamer that plied its trade around the British coasts and European ports. Owned by the tramp ship company Hugh Hogarth & Sons, which later became the Baron Line, the ships were recognisable by their buff and black funnels.

The owners had a reputation for being overly economical when feeding their crews. As a result, the line was nicknamed the ‘Hungry Hogarths’. The crew of the ‘Baron Polwarth’ included several sailors from Tiree.

One of them, Dougall Lamont, son of Archie Lamont of Cornaigmore, died as a result of an accident on board in January 1916. His remains were brought home to Tiree and interred in Kirkapol cemetery. His fellow crew members clubbed together and bought a marble book which was placed on his grave.

Black and white photograph of the crew of the `Baron Polwarth`, Ardrossan in 1916.

Crew of the Baron Polwarth, Ardrossan, 1916. L-R: (back row) Charlie MacDonald, Ruaig, uncle to Mary Flora MacKinnon, Balephetrish and Margaret MacInnes, Ruaig; John MacKinnon, Balephetrish, uncle to Ian MacKinnon (Iain Aonghais), ‘Lochview’, Kilmoluaig; Charles MacDonald, uncle to Lachie MacDonald, Middleton; John MacArthur, father of John MacArthur, Middleton Farm; (middle row) Hugh Cameron; Walter MacDonald, Moss, uncle to Johann MacKinnon, Barrapol and Neil Brownlie; unknown; (front row) possibly Walter Mackinnon, Greenhill; unknown.

2000.84.7

Black and white group photograph taken in the 1918.

Group photograph taken in the 1918. L-R: (front row) Charlie MacDonald, uncle of Lachie MacDonald, Middleton; John MacArthur, father of John MacArthur, Middleton Farm; Neil Sinclair (Niall a Dan), brother of the late Alasdair Sinclair (Alasdair Ruadh), Greenhill.

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