In August 1910, a mysterious motorboat, manned by four Germans and one Norwegian, visited Tiree, Scotland. They consulted a local fisherman about wreck sites and the coastline, sparking suspicions of espionage. After four days, they vanished, prompting islanders to speculate they were spies rather than treasure hunters.
In July 1917, a Canadian airman named C. Maclean Gardner, stationed in England during WW1, expressed his deep affection for Tiree, his mother’s birthplace, in a letter to the Oban Times. He reflected on his memories and love for the island through an acrostic poem, highlighting its beauty and significance to him.
In December 1924, a Glasgow girl fled her position in Scarinish, Tiree, and was missing for 13 days before being found safe in a hayloft. Surviving on biscuits, marmalade, and turnips, her disappearance stemmed from the loss of a watch. The story highlights concerns from her employer and the community’s search efforts.
In August 1910, the ‘Morning Leader’ reported on Tiree, an island with 200 tax-exempt families among a 2,000 population, overseen by a single policeman. Despite the absence of licensed premises for fifty years, distilleries persist, highlighting an unnoticed yet vibrant life on the island.
Dr. Alexander Buchanan, Tiree’s first doctor from 1860 until his death in 1911, was revered by the locals, leading to the erection of a monument in his honor. He favored water from An Fhaodhail as a remedy. Following his death, his farm was sold by his daughter in 1913.
The poem, written in 1903 by an unknown author, expresses admiration for the beauty of Tiree, an island characterized by its raw nature and the presence of sea birds. It reflects on the search for peace amid life’s chaos, emphasizing themes of love, truth, and the infinite rest found in the pursuit of deeper understanding.
During World War One, Tiree faced hardships as the Duke of Argyll owned vast uncultivated land. Islanders defied his law to grow food amid difficult conditions. Reports suggested it would be more generous for the Duke to allow cultivation to meet national needs. The content reflects on these challenging times.
