A Croft in Caolas
£10.00
Product of: Isle of Tiree
Ships to: United Kingdom Only
Warmest thanks to all who have bought a copy of A Croft in Caolas, and thank you too to those who have posted so many kind reviews. These are greatly appreciated. The book has sold remarkably well since it was first published in February 2021. The author, ever an optimist, thought that he would be lucky to sell six copies. The actual sales figure (to date) is nearer 500!
As a boy in the 1950s, Donald Meek lived in ‘Coll View’, Caolas, in the Hebridean island of Tiree, with his parents and elderly MacDonald aunts and uncles. He was enthralled by their experiences of life in Tiree, Falkirk, Africa and Canada. Here he brings the MacDonalds and Meeks to life, setting them in their contexts in Tiree and beyond.
Out of stock
This book tells the story of one Tiree crofting family over 250 years. In the 1770s, Donald’s ancestor, John MacDonald, lived in the joint-tenant farm of Caolas. When crofts were created in 1804, the MacDonalds moved to their own croft in Àird Deas, Caolas, but economic difficulties in the 1840s compelled the senior members of the family to emigrate to Orillia, Canada, leaving behind two of their children, Hector and Christina. Through the kindness of his MacLean relatives, Hector MacDonald, the writer’s great-grandfather, obtained the holding on which ‘Coll View’ stands to the present. Hector and his wife Effie produced a family of ten, seven of whom had to seek employment on the Scottish mainland and across the Atlantic. In 1913 Hector MacDonald Meek, their grandson and the writer’s father, was ‘orphaned’ by the emigration of his parents to Vancouver, and he too was brought up in ‘Coll View’ by Hector and Effie MacDonald. This alone ensured the continuation of the croft within the family.
Donald Meek reflects on the immense changes and challenges which he has witnessed in his family and community, and describes his own struggle to restore the family holding, now in the capable hands of his elder daughter, Rhoda Meek.
The book is lavishly illustrated with photographs from the family archives and documentary sources.
Reviews
Amazing service not only by you but also by Royal Mail!! Recipient delighted with the book, as her family have “roots” on Tiree.
Very interesting as after about 20 years holidaying on the island found this book telling us things we didn’t know
Quick …. very efficient…..enjoyed my books Thank You
This is a wonderful book, interesting and beautifully written. The storyline is fascinating about the family’s history and island connections. I recommend this book and Isle 20 to everyone.
I think this book is very special indeed and Donald Meek has done Tiree and all of us with a connection to Tiree a real service by writing it.
I asked for the book for Christmas 2021 (and should have provided a review much sooner). It came alongside a dozen other books that Christmas but it was an easy choice to pick up first, in large part because my family too is from Caolas, related to Donald and his. There are many books about Tiree, but Donald Meek has done something uniquely valuable, using his personal story to bring to life the story of big changes on the island, from the formation of the crofts in Caolas through to the present day. A wonderful book.
Looking forward to reading this and my dad is too!
Hello Donald , I didn’t realise you personally sent the book .I was at OHS same time as you but I doubt you will remember me. Shirley Evans from Tobermory .I shared lodgings with Jessmie Rutter .The book is for a friend who is going to Tiree in September
An outstanding book. I have no connections to Tiree but this volume traced the history of a family and croft. It could be any family, anywhere.
If you have an interest in people and how the works works you will love this!
The book arrived very promptly, very happy to have a copy. Could have been signed….!
Excellent fast service. Great book.
Prompt delivery of a pristine book. Very pleased with it.
Very quick delivery. Exceptional value! Enjoying immensely, thank you
Very quick and professional service. Will be using Isle20 more often in future and would recommend the service to others. Mòran taing!
Delightful experience! Easy to order, super fast delivery, excellent product. Well done Isle20!
Quick service; enjoying reading the book.
Chan eil mi ach air tòiseachadh air seo a leughadh, ach tha e a’ còrdadh rium gu mòr. Deagh sgeulachd air a deagh sgrìobhadh.
Great service! My book arrived well packaged and quickly.
A delightful book and a joy to read
I enjoyed A Croft in Caolas very much – a beautifully written, meticulously researched history of a croft, family and community in Tiree. But it is much more than a record of times and places. The deep affection held by the author for the elderly relatives with whom he and his parents shared their lives shines through every chapter. There was obviously wit, fun and laughter in the home and wider township, and there was sorrow and sadness too. Reading about eggs, butter, cake and scones being send off to the Front in France during WW1 was so touching, and the loss of a dearly loved young man from that family in that conflict was deeply affecting. A wonderful book.
A most interesting book. What could have been a narrow description of one family and an old island house turned out to be a fascinating tale covering many aspects of island and Scottish life. Migration, loss, self-sacrifice and struggles combine with the importance of family, of stability and of place. I enjoyed the read.
Excellent service and book arrived very quickly. Would def shop again
Ordering was easy and order arrived quickly. Delighted with purchase
Math dha – riribh. Moran taing
Quick dispatch.Beautiful cover and most interesting pictures throughout.
I was intrigued by the stories of family/ancestors from their experiences at home and abroad.
I felt so proud of the people-not only family members-whose lives were intertwined throughout the book.
It shows strong family /community bonds,true grit through adversity,love of people,place,language,culture,heritage and Christian faith.
It’s a wonderful book and I will dip into it again- and read it again at a later date.
I have no Tiree connections but this is a book with a very wide appeal .
I now hope to visit some day so I can see Coll View.
Prompt delivery and with a message, as requested, from the author. Perfect!!
Great service and a brilliant website!👌🏼
Our family has been holidaying on Tiree for the past 8 years and we’re always keen to learn more about the people and place. The book was purchased as a gift and the recipient is delighted. It arrived quickly and well packaged. As usual – top service and products from Isle20
Excellent service and excellent book
Brilliant thank you! Packaging great. Delivery fast.
Excellent service. I also appreciated that the packaging was recycled cardboard too.
Excellent service, speedy delivery
Bought for my partner. Arrived quickly. Looks very interesting.
Haven’t finished it yet, but so far I am really enjoying it, perfect read for lock down. Thank you Donald.
Prompt delivery of a special publication- great!
Excellent quick service. Thank you Rhoda!
A personally signed copy ! Delighted. A great read too 10/10
A1. Speedy delivery and well packaged. Slainte!
Very pleased with A Croft in Caolas. Excellent and interesting reading of the east end of our island!
Brilliant book. Highly recommended.
Book arrived in no time. Thank you.
A fascinating read, enjoyed it so much. Such interesting tales of Tiree people from the past. Thank you!
Found it very interesting!
Thought I had fun it ach bha e puredeadbrilliant!
It’s an interesting book as I know the area fairly well and some of the people.
Service can’t be faulted-received on the day after ordering.
Arrived more quickly in Canada than I expected👍🏼 And well packaged.
Great service. A lovely book. Thank you
Excellent book 👍
Arrived on World book day!
already reviewed
Bought as a gift so not read yet, but I am sure recipient will love it. Arrived well packed and in good time. Thank you.
A 5 is my hope, as I have not yet received the book. Was there an estimate as to how long it would take to get to Canada? Thanks, Marianne
Great service
I really enjoyed A Croft in Caolas it brought back many memories of the times I spent on Tiree. It is a great record of the way of life. I hope Professor Meek has many more happy times in Coll View
Very readable book ,and very well produced . Service was most impressive–next day delivery service, in these Covid delay times ,from Scotland to the Northern Irish countryside . Clear,attractive and easily navigable website, and a very straightforward ordering and payment system. It is a great initiative.
Excellent prompt service. Book is excellent too, so far.
Very quick service.
Delivered swiftly. A gripping read
Top notch service. Very easy to place my order and book arrived very well packaged and on time. The book was an outstanding read which I have already fed back to the author.
Gle,uamhasach, fiadhaich math! The
Received item very promptly.
Order was delivered successfully and in good time.
Have yet to read it as I had it sent to a friend I’ll be staying with later this year. The ease of purchase and fast delivery were excellent.
Excellent service and a brilliant book that brings back so many memories
Only just started reading but am hooked already!
Easy to order, delivered on time and a great read.
Have had a few orders now and each one has been stop on , excellent packing and quick delivery . Happy to support you all in your endeavour
A wonderful read! Very well written, with great photos
Great Service, Perfect
Wonderful book, delivered in double quick time. Thank you.
This book is exceptionally well written and I’d highly recommend. It is both an autobiography and a family history and gives a wonderful insight into life in a Tiree family and community. And aswell as all that, it contains scores of images to pore over. The sort of book that I’ll never be finished with.
Very prompt service and book arrived safely and well packed. Would be very happy to use this service again.
As usual it’s an excellent piece of work from the bodach! I’m ploughing my way through it as fast as my dyslexia allows.
Very prompt delivery and a fascinating book. Warmly recommended.
Got the books two days after I ordered them. I then had a most enjoyable two days reading my copy.A real trip down memory lane.
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Leabhraichean Tirisdeach / Tiree Books
Donald E. Meek, a native of the Inner Hebridean island of Tiree, was Professor of Scottish and Gaelic Studies at the University of Edinburgh until 2008. He was previously Professor of Celtic at the University of Aberdeen from 1993 to 2001. He has written numerous books and countless articles as well as building the occasional model boat.