Ross of Mull Historical Centre

03/06/2026

B’ e neach-siubhail a bh’ ann an Sandaidh (Ailidh Dall) Stiùbhart agus bha e na cheàrd-staoin. Bhiodh e a’ fuireach ann an Luirg airson pàirt den bhliadhna agus a’ siubhal air feadh Dùthaich MhicAoidh ann an Cataibh as t-Earrach is as t-Samhradh.

A rèir Chaluim Iain MhicIlleathain bho Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba, b’ e aon de na sgeulaichean Gàidhlig a b’ fheàrr air tìr-mòr na h-Alba a bh’ ann an Ailidh. Dh’ionnsaich e a’ chuid as m***a de na sgeulachdan aige bho a mhàthair agus a bràithrean. Bha tòrr dhiofar sheòrsaichean de sgeulachdan aige - sgeulachdan mu Oisean agus a ghaisgich, sgeulachdan os-nàdarra, sgeulachdan mu charactaran èibhinn, agus sgeulachdan mu dheidhinn nan daoine ris an do choinnich e fhad ’s a bha e a’ siubhal.

Anns a’ chlàradh seo, tha Ailidh ag innse sgeulachd air mar a chaidh bonnach a chruthachadh agus mar a chaidh ithe le madadh-ruadh. Chaidh an sgeulachd a chlàradh le Hamish Henderson bho Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba ann an 1957.

Tha tar-sgrìobhadh den sgeulachd ri fhaighinn ann am fiosrachadh a’ chlàraidh.
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Alec Stewart, also known as Ailidh Dall (Blind Alec) was a travelling tinsmith who was born in 1882. Although he settled with his family in Lairg in Sutherland, they would spend 5-6 months a year travelling in MacKay Country.
According to Calum Iain Maclean of the School of Scottish Studies, Alec was one of the finest Gaelic storytellers on mainland Scotland. He learnt most of his stories from his mother and her brothers, and his repertoire was wide-ranging. He would tell ancient stories about Ossian and his warriors, supernatural stories, stories about humorous characters, and stories about people they would meet when they travelled from place to place.

In this recording, Alec tells a story about how how a bannock was made by a family who had no food, and how it got eaten by a fox. Alec was recorded by Hamish Henderson of the School of Scottish Studies in 1957.

A transcription of the story is available on the track information page.
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https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/34051?l=en
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Photo of Hamish Henderson & Alec Stewart ©School of Scottish Studies, University of Edinburgh

01/06/2026

June is Gypsy, Roma and Traveller History Month and it aims to raise awareness of these communities and their contributions to society. Our theme for this month is Travellers’ traditions, beliefs and ways of life.

The oral tradition was central to the lives of Travellers and it is this tradition which has gifted us with a precious legacy of stories and songs.

In this recording from 1976, Traveller Duncan Williamson says that his father was a great storyteller. The children would do chores for him because they looked forward to getting a story. Some of the stories were fantastic, about giants, witches and warlocks. Duncan thinks his father might have heard the stories from his father before him. Duncan is being interviewed by Linda Williamson on behalf of the School of Scottish Studies.

Duncan Williamson (1928-2007) is widely regarded as one of Scotland's greatest tradition bearers. Although primarily known for his vast store of traditional tales and for his dynamic storytelling, Duncan also had a significant repertoire of songs, tunes and Traveller lore, and was a skilled Jew's harp and harmonica player. After gaining wider attention during the folk revival, Duncan's recognition increased greatly through his collaboration with his second wife Linda, with whom he published many collections of traditional stories.
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https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/29737?l=en
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Image supplied courtesy of the Gordon Shennan Collection, Inverness Museum & Art Gallery, via Am Baile

28/05/2026

Here’s Allan Walker (1894-1975) from Killin telling how his father showed him the ruins of sheilings above the village and told him about the activities which would have been undertaken there. He also says that, centuries ago, it was common for neighbouring clans to raid sheilings and take young women for brides.

His father also told him that when it came to the marriages of the sons and daughters of clan chiefs there was a lot of inter-marriage between Ireland and the Highlands. Allan then explains how this led to the introduction of Irish surnames found in the Highlands.

Allan is speaking to Anne Ross of the School of Scottish Studies in a recording made in 1964.
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https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/50930?l=en
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This image is part of the IF Grant Photographic Archive and is supplied courtesy of the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, Edinburgh Central Library, via Am Baile.

21/05/2026

20/05/2026

The blackhouse design dates back several thousand years and was built to withstand the harsh weather of the Outer Hebrides. These houses were always oriented facing east, so the prevailing winds and storms hit the back of the building.

The construction method has remained largely unchanged: two parallel dry stone walls with the gap between filled with earth or peat for insulation.

The roof was either thatched or covered with turf, supported by a frame resting on the outer wall, creating a distinctive “shelf” around the house’s exterior.

Thatch was held in place with netting and heavy stones to prevent it from being blown away. Small windows helped maintain the strength of the walls and shielded the interior from the worst weather. Floors were typically made of flagstones or packed earth, with a central fire area inside.

A photograph of Morag Cameron standing in the doorway of her traditional thatched house at Moss on Tiree.

The roof thatch is secured with a net of coir rope weighted down by stones. Both the exterior and interior walls are coated with white lime, made by burning limpet shells. In the 1700s and 1800s, homes like this often housed families of 12 or more. Today, only a few such houses remain on Tiree.

14/05/2026

Seo fiosrachadh mu àirighean ann an Diùra air a thoirt seachad le Sandy Buie (1908-1991), a rugadh agus thogadh anns a’ Chnoc Chrom, Diùra. B’ e croitear is gillie a bh’ ann. Tha e a’ bruidhinn ri Iain MacIllEathain bho Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba anns a’ chlàradh seo bho 1971.
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Here's information about sheilings in the island of Jura as told by Sandy Buie (1908-1991). Sandy was born and raised in Knockrome, and was a crofter and gillie. He says that there were about 80 sheiling huts on the moor and he gives some information regarding the size and shape of the huts.

Women would go out to the sheilings to tend the cattle and make cheese while the men came home to work at the peats. Sandy tells how the sheiling system became obsolete in his father's youth. He is being recorded by John MacLean of the School of Scottish Studies in 1971.
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https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/42285?l=en
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This image is part of the IF Grant Photographic Archive and is supplied courtesy of the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, Edinburgh Central Library, via Am Baile.

04/05/2026

This month’s theme is sheilings (‘àirighean’ in Gaelic).

Sheilings, or shielings, were dwelling places out with crofting townships where people would move to in the summer with their cattle, so that the animals could feed on the rich pasture there.

In this recording from 1958, Roderick Campbell gives a detailed account of sheiling life in the Bragar area of Lewis when he was a boy. He says that the sheilings would be occupied from the end of April/beginning of May for around three months, and that they were located about eight miles away from the township. He describes the sheiling huts, the day-to-day activities, and the evening entertainment.

Roderick is being recorded by Eric Cregeen of the School of Scottish Studies.
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https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/98978?l=en
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This image is part of the IF Grant Photographic Archive and is supplied courtesy of the Edinburgh and Scottish Collection, Edinburgh Central Library, via Am Baile.

01/05/2026

’S e Mìos Choimhearsnachd is Eachdraidh Ionadail a th’ ann/ May is Local Community and History Month.

Tha a’ mhìos seo a’ brosnachadh gun ionnsaich daoine mu eachdraidh anns na sgìrean aca fhèin.

Anns a’ chlàradh seo, tha Lachlan MacIllEathain a’ toirt fiosrachadh air dùin timcheall Loch na Bà ann an Muile. Tha e cuideachd ag innse mu bhlàran a bh' anns an sgìre eadar Clann MhicIllEathain agus Clann Dòmhnaill, agus eadar Clann MhicIllEathain Locha Buidhe agus Dhubhaird.

Rugadh Lachlan (1923-2010) ann am Peighinn a' Ghàidheil, Muile agus bha e na thuathanach aig Cnoc Tìr Mhàrtainn ann an Grùilinn. Chaidh a chlàradh le Sgoil Eòlais na h-Alba ann an 1963.
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This month-long initiative encourages people to learn about history in their local area.

In this recording, Lachlan Maclean gives an account of brochs around Loch na Bà in Mull. According to tradition the Doideag Mhuileach [the Mull Witch] lived by the loch. He also tells of battles in the area between the MacLeans and MacDonalds, and the MacLeans of Loch Buie and Duart.

Born in Torrans, Pennyghael in Mull, Lachlan had a farm at Knock, Gruline and he was known as Lachie Knock. The recording was made by the School of Scottish Studies in 1963.
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http://tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/79416
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Ferry boats approaching the pier at Craignure, Isle of Mull in 1948. Photo supplied courtesy of the Christopher J Uncles Collection, Highland Archive Service via Am Baile.

02/02/2026

Ross of Mull Historical Centre is open Tuesday 3rd Feb, from 1.00 to 4.00.