1851 Pigot's Description of MullPigots 1851 Scottish DirectoryThe Argyllshire part of this directory covers Inveraray, Barr, Campbeltown, Clachan, The Island of Islay, Lochgilphead, Oban, Tarbert, Tayienloane, and Tobermory. The people mentioned in Tobermory part, many of whom you'll encounter in Jo Currie's book, are as follows: Post Office at Tobermory: Post Master John Sinclair esq. The Edinburgh and other mails arrive from Oban on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; and are despatched on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Office hours from eight in the morning until nine at night. Gentry and Clergy: Campbell Alex. esq Auchnacraig Campbell Lieut. Angus, 78th H.P. Campbell Capt. John, Ardnacross Campbell Donald esq. of Misnish Fraser Rev. Alex. minister of Torosay Gregorson Jno. esq of Ardtornish Maxwell James esq. Aros McArthur Rev. Donald, minister of Kilman [sic] and Kilmore McAskill Allan esq. of Mornish McDougall Hugh esq. of Achlie McGuarie Lieut Col Charles Glenforsa McGueen Charles A. esq of Scour McLean Alex esq of Coll McLean Donald esq. of Drimnine McLean Hugh jun. esq of Coll McLean Mrs M. D. (of Torlisk) Clephane McLean Murdoch esq of Lochbuy McLean John esq of Killendine McLeod Rev John minister of Morvern McLachlan Dugald esq of Kilmore McLachlan Kennith esq Tobermory Sinclair John esq (of Knock) Morven Stewart Donald esq of Glencripiedle Stewart Sir Hen. of Ulva and Mull Stewart Jn esq of Achadashenig Stewart Miss, of Glenmorgen Merchants, Tradesmen &c. Professional Gentlemen: Maclachlan Ronald, physician McLean Donald, esq surgeon to the forces Morvin Martin George, writer Nisbett James, writer Agent: Campbell Duncan, esq to the British society Shopkeepers, Traders &c: Beaton Archibald, vintner Black Thos. shoemaker Cameron John, merchant Campbell John, mercha Campbell John, vitner Gray Donald, merchant, Loch Sunart McCallum Jno. joiner & carpenter McColl John, merchant McColl Duncan, shoe maker McDonald Alexander, merchant McDougall Hector, merchant McDougall John, merchant McLachlan Donald, gen. merchant McLachlan Dugald, merchant McLachlan Donald, vintner McLean Charles, merchant McLean Donald, merchant McLean Given, merchant McLeod Norman, tailor McIntyre Donald, baker Smith Thomas, innkeeper Sinclair John, merchant Custom House: Mr John McDougall, collector Mr Wemyss Orrock, Comptroller Excise Office: Mr David Walker, Supervisor Mr Duncan Smith, Officer Mr Alex Mathieson, Officer Fishery Office: Mr Robt Cuthbertson, Inspector Sheriff's Court: John Gregorson esq Sheriff substitute Jas Nesbitt esq procurator fiscal James Nesbitt, Norary Public George Martin, Notary Public Angus Cameron, Deputy Sherriff's clerk [spelling seems to be rather idiosyncratic] Conveyance by Water: for passengers: The Highlander, Steam Packet, leaves Tobermory every Friday for Glasgow, touching at Oban, Lochgilphead, Rothesay, Greenock &c and returns every Wednesday to Tobermory on its route to Sky or Staffa, to which places it proceeds alternately. Description of Tobermory Note : Spelling and punctuation as they appear in the directory. Icolmkill is, of course, now known as Iona. TOBERMORY: is a thriving seaport in the island of Mull, and county of Argyll. It is seated at the extremity of a fine sheltered bay, said to be one of the safest harbours on the western coast of Scotland. It is between two and three miles from the main land, and derives its name from a celebrated well or spring, called Mary's well, to which the vulgar superstitiously ascribe many imaginary virtues. The Spanish ship Florida, when at anchor here in the sixteenth century, was destroyed by one of Queen Elizabeth's emissaries. Part of the wood of this vessel was presented to his Majesty, on his late visit to Edinburgh, by Sir Walter Scott. On the west side of the town are the remains of an ancient chapel, dedicated to the Virgin, and of a fortification, understood to be of Norwegian origin. Tobermory belongs to the British society for extending the fisheries, and improving the sea coast of the kingdom. The town was commenced about 34 years ago; it is tolerably well built, has a gay and animated appearance, and possesses excellent quays for the accommodation of shipping. In the immediate vicinity is a fine loch, called Mary's lake, situated between two finely wooded hills, extremely precipitous in their descent. This pleasing spot belongs to Hugh Maclean esq.of Coll, who is improving it in a manner highly creditable to his taste, and who intends to build an elegant cottage on the banks of the lake. The tourist would be highly gratified by visiting this spot, and also the three cascades in its vicinity, one of which is particularly grand. Tobermory is the only village in Mull, or the western islands, of any consequence; its trade is chiefly domestic, with a tolerably good herring fishery. By ascending a hill in the neighbourhood, there may be seen the islands of Tyree, Coll, Eigg, Muck, Sky, and various others of smaller importance. Mull, which is about 24 miles long, and in some places nearly as broad, has been much improved of late, which is principally attributable to the minute division of property. Beinmore, the highest mountain in the island, is said to be near 3000 feet above the level of the sea. The celebrated island of Staffa is about fifteen miles distant. To give a description of this most magnificent production of nature, is, it must be confessed, most difficult. All who have seen Fingal's cave, concur in saying,that, when it first bursts upon the sight, the effect is indescribable. Awe and astonishment so completely fill the mind, that there is no room for minor emotions. The far famed island if Icolmkill, the earth of which may be called royal, "was once the luminary of the Caledonian regions, whence savage clans and roving barbarians derived the benefits of knowledge, and the blessings of religion". It is separated from Mull by a narrow channel of about a mile broad. The inhabitants have lately made a profitable traffic by disposing of the channel pebbles to the numerous visitors, who now frequent the island. They assert, that pebbles of a certain appearance are endowed with many secret virtues, given to them by their tutelar saint, Columba. The island of Ulva, separated from Mull by a channel of about one hundred yards broad, is said to produce the finest kelp in the western highlands. There is a great number of basaltic columns on the shore. Tyree, westward of Mull, is a very fertile island, abounding in marble, of which, it is said, the rocks on the sea shore are entirely composed. Coll, to the north of the latter, is rather a sterile and mountainous island. Here stand the ruins of a castle, of which there is a fine view from the sea. In concluding the sketch of these interesting islands we may observe, that the scenery, connected with them, is of a description not easily to be forgotten by those who have once seen them, and is justly celebrated by the immortal Scott in his "Lord of the Isles". Ardtornish castle in Morven, so much spoken of by the Bard, is well worthy the stranger's notice, as are the interesting ruins of Aros castle, the ancient residence of the kings, or lords of the isles, and castle Duart, formerly the residence of the McLeans in Mull, with castle Doonan in Lismore. The population of Tobermory is near 1400.
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