Isle of Tiree – Matthew McKinnon's Blog

Memorable Moments: A Year Through My Lens

If you are a subscriber to my blog you will know that every year at this time I like to look back on the year’s photographs, and set out some of my favourites, sometimes because I love the photo and at other times just for the special memory, and other memories they invoke! In these three photos below I hope you catch what I mean.

The above are not great photos, in the first two the boat was moving and I was ‘happed up’ with a life jacket. On this cool sunny day without a breath of wind, sailing off the coast of Tiree I felt it was one of these ‘time stands still’ moments when you feel over awed by the breath-taking beauty of it all! Since then, when I look at this photo I think of a similar moment on a boat on the sea of Galilee, just after dawn, when the boatman cut the engine and we floated in quietness on the still blue sea, when the sky and sea seemed to merge. Not surprisingly thoughts of the man who walked on these waters came to mind, and a chorus we sang as kids. Yea, beautiful. I know many of you will have had similar moments when confronted by the beauty of God’s creation.

The Chorus: By blue Galilee Jesus walked of old; By blue Galilee wondrous things He told. Saviour, still my teacher be, showing wondrous things to me, as of old by Galilee blue Galilee.

Now here is a selection of other photos that give us pleasure as my wife and I look over them together

A January walk in the park with Grand daughter, and greatgrand children

There is always a sense of excitement and activity as winter draws to a close and Spring is on the near horizon. Garden tools checked, greenhouse cleaned again, seeds bought, saved seeds checked, propagators and greenhouse cleaned, tube heater check along with it’s timer control. Finally glass cleaned and floor disinfected. I’m smiling, it’s all go now!

Late Spring and Summer we try to get out and about, and we are spoiled for choice, some of these places you may have seen before.

Now for some summer photographs:-

Autumn and Winter photos :-

Many in our world today look ahead with fear and trepidation, which is not surprising considering our news bulletins filled with stories of war, doom and disaster, and considering the war, sorrows and turmoil of the world in 2024.

This reminded me of the poem read by King George Vl in his speech to the nation in 1939 just at the start of the 2nd World War. It was a poem written by Minnie Louise Haskins. Here are the words of the first verse.

Quote: And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year; “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown”. And he replied: “Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than a light and safer than a known way“. So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And he led me towards the hills and the breaking of the day in the lone East. Unquote.

A poem said to be a favourite with the late Queen Elizabeth ll, who is credited as the person who handed it to her dad.

Personally, I have recently been reading words from the book af Acts regarding what the Apostle Peter said to the religious leaders of his day just after the resurrection of Jesus, you can read the whole story in the book of Acts chapter 4. He said
“Jesus is the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:11-12.

These words were behind the inspiration for a new Christian song written and composed by Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, which has become one of the favourites of this century. So if you feel the world is becoming increasingly chaotic, and you are in danger of giving up hope, have a read of the words, and check out the song om You Tube and you’ll see why it has become so popular. And may you find new hope and purpose in life, by coming to know this Jesus of whom it speaks.

In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

I wish all my readers God’s blessing in 2025

The Island of Tiree – Scotland

‘**AN TURAS’ –** ‘***The Journey***‘ – **WELCOME** to **TIREE!**

TIREE is a low lying island in the Inner Hebrides, also the most westerly, with a population of around 650. It is only twelve miles long and three miles wide, with its amazing beaches, animal, bird and sea life and grasslands and flora, and one of the sunniest places in the UK. Well that sets out some of the main facts about the island, but hopefully the photographs and script that follows will give you a glimpse of the sense of freedom and joy that can be experienced on a holiday here.

Hard to explain the wildness and beauty of God’s creation witnessed in Tiree, the big skies, both day and night, the narrow roads, isolated cottages, and many small lochans, the blue sea both calm and wild, the amazing quiet and empty beaches, the open grasslands with a tumultuous array of flowers, and the wandering cattle and sheep and other wild life that call this place home. As they say in Scotland ‘somethings are better felt than telt‘!

We were back there again this year during the month of May for our holidays, attracted by all of the above, and where as always we received a warm welcome as holiday makers, so many visitors come, some attracted by the special events held throughout the year. There’s a welcome notice right on the pier with a very clever piece of art work called ‘An Turas,’ but be careful not to miss it as you can easily pass it by!

Tiree is famous for its wide white sandy beaches, and depending on wind direction you can choose the one best suited to your day’s plan. Water sports, or just walking and sunbathing. So here is a selection of some that we visited!

Boats and harbours, birds and animals, dolphins and seals can be spotted all around the island, with a couple of Bird Hides conveniently placed for a quiet seat to enjoy!

Now for a variety of shots from this years Tiree collection, which I really like.

We also visited some ancient ruins of Churches, a Broch, a Watermill, a Graveyard where my great grandfather and mother I believe are buried, plus Churches of today and friends of today with whom we enjoyed food and fellowship.

Kirkapol Chapel dedicated to St Columba mid 14 Century

When we go on holiday we always like to visit the Church(s) in the area and join in fellowship with fellow Christians. To many in society nowadays the Church seems an irrelevance, but not to God or to those who know and love Him! It is said of Jesus, God’s Son, ‘that Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it’! The two pictures below I think speak volumes!

On the first Sunday we were at the Baptist Church and sang with Joy –

Come, people of the Risen King who delight to bring Him praise Come all and tune your hearts to sing to the Morning Star of grace, From the shifting shadows of the earthwe will lift our eyes to Him where steady arms of mercy reach to gather children in!

On the 2nd Sunday we visited the Church of Scotland at Heylipol where the text’s above the pulpit remind us of our home Church! Most worshippers sat at the back and at the side, but this dear man chose to sit near the front. Perhaps he has used that seat for many years. We sang – Take my life and let it be consecrated to Thee, Take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise. Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of Thy love, Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee

These two songs in many ways encapsulate for us the Christian life! In Church and home we sing praise and thanks to God for His Grace, in providing Salvation for us through the work of His Son Jesus, and for calling us to be His children! Then in response to that love we sing ‘Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee’…… We met two young men from the Faith Mission there who were keen to proclaim the good news of the Gospel, and were certainly putting into practice the words of the second hymn referred to above.

I find the last photo on this blog very emotive! I think of our Christian heritage as a nation that we now seem content to let slip ‘through our fingers’ as it were, while we witness so much heartache and tears all around us, and hear many dear folks speak of the future with a sense of fear and foreboding. Tom Lenie in his excellent book ‘Land of Revivals’ records for us some great days of revival in Tiree around 1837 – 1846 when the Churches in Tiree were filled as people found salvation and fresh new hope through faith in Jesus Christ.

Many Christians today are united in prayer, asking God to come again in the power of His Spirit to bring revival to Scotland, its islands, towns and cities. I recall the words of the Scottish Bard, Robert Burns in his poem “The Cotter’s Saturday Night’ as he recalls a scene in the household of a Scottish Christian family as they pray together – He says –

From scenes like these, old Scotia’s grandeur springs
That makes her lov’d at home, rever’d abroad:

Grandeur? I wonder if that word that would be used to describe our nation’s stature today? I will end here by inviting you if you don’t go to Church to consider starting to attend, or perhaps again,? a Church near you that teaches the Bible, wherever you live! If you do I am sure you will be blessed by God!

I hope you enjoyed the photos, you’d love Tiree, although I confess to being slightly biased as my ancestors came from there! Always glad to hear from you.

Matthew

PS: if you missed the video of our trip from Tiree to Skerryvore you cam see it here

The Isle of Tiree – positioned on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean!

A late night phone call, Some adjustments to our diary, and 36 hours later we were on our way to visit friends on the most westerly island in the Scottish Inner Hebrides – TIREE! What a surprise, as we had been forced to cancel a planned holiday there a year or so ago due to the pandemic, but now we were on our way, the weather forecast was excellent and we were excited at the prospect!

The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to the island leaves from Oban, which is a 2.5 – 3 hours drive from Glasgow, depending on the traffic. It is a lovely drive, and if you are planning a visit, allow yourselves more time for stops along the way.

The four hour ferry trip takes you through the sound between the Isle of Mull and Ardnamurchan on the Scottish mainland, and then into the Passage of Tiree. It is quite spectacular at any time, but particularly on a beautiful sunny day!

The sun was getting low in the sky as we made the last leg of our ferry journey to Tiree, and we were blessed to see some dolphins jumping alongside the ship as we travelled.

Tiree’s history is easily researched on line, but this fertile island is a joy to visit, and in the Springtime the lambs and calves are in the fields, flowers are starting to bloom and the birds are singing. The beaches are amongst the best to behold anywhere in the world, and they attract worldclass surfers, and also runners for special competitions and events, and many tourists! My great great grandfather John McKinnon was a boat builder in Balemartine, so this was amongst the places we first visited.

Too many photos to show, but here are some showing the variety and beauty of Tiree’ >

Time passes too quickly when you are enjoying yourself, but we did manage a few last day activities, including a boat trip which you can see below. An evening walk on the beach at Balevullin, some star gazing, before getting to bed. Then an early rise to catch the ferry back to Oban. Farewell then to the quietness and serenity of Tiree.

Reflection: Living close to a motorway here in Glasgow, it was a pleasure to change the noise and bustle of the city for the peace and tranquility of Tiree. The sound of the sea, and of the birds and the joy of walking in a quiet and isolated beach was good for the soul. We never switched the television on once during our stay, and surprisingly the world seemed to carry on in it’s seemingly chaotic way without my daily watching of the news programmes. 🙂

I enjoyed popping into the Parish Church at Heylipol, its a beautiful building, and I thought of the countless number of people who have worshipped there down the centuries. It was also interesting to see that the texts above the pulpit are exactly the same as the texts we have above our pulpit in Glasgow – ‘God is Light‘ and ‘God is Love’. I wondered if some of the clansmen brought that idea to Glasgow during the migrations in the mid 19th century? Probably not, but the verses speak so powerfully of the God being worshipped. The God from whom nothing is hid, but a God who loves a broken humanity enough, to send us His Son as Saviour and Redeemer.

Oh, and here’s that boat trip, quite an excitment for a ‘land-lubber’ 🙂

If you like the blog you can subscribe to receive notifications of updates. Thanks if you have read thus far! Yes TIREE is definitely worth a visit!

God bless, Matthew

Missed Destinations!

Since as long as I can remember I have gone somewhere on holiday every year during summer. As a child I was brought up in a working class family living in Glasgow, but my mother and father always managed to save enough money to take the children to the ‘seaside’ every year. And what happy memories I have of these holidays. Even after I got married it was always the talk around the table at the turn of each New Year ‘where will we go on holiday’?

This year we planned a holiday in Oban and Tiree, made all the arrangements, booked hotels and ferry, only for it all to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 virus pandemic. So like countless thousands of others we were disappointed. The Isle of Tiree on the West Coast of Scotland was our ancestral home, so we were particularly keen to revisit the island after many years. I’ve been reading T C Smout’s book ‘A Century of the Scottish People – 1830 – 1950′ in which he describes the potato famine of 1846 which devastated and decimated the people of the Western Isles and Ireland, and which brought our branch of the McKinnon clan over to Glasgow in search of work. Potato was the staple diet of the people, and Smout records the story of the little boy being asked, what he had to eat for his three meals each day? to which he replied ‘mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes, mashed potatoes’, when pressed further by the enquirer, and with what else? He replied with great artlessness and surprise – ‘a spoon’. We were hoping to get something more with the potatoes when we revisited, but it looks like we will have to forego this destination in 2020, and will just need to hope for another opportunity to arise!

One other destination in life that I missed, which I always look back on with some disappointment was a visit to Machu Picchu in Peru. I was a Sugar Engineer, and back in 1980 I was asked by my company to spend some months in Peru assessing the equipment needs of the nationalised sugar factories in Peru. Since I was going to be there for sometime I had set my heart on visiting this famous world heritage site.

Machu Picchu is the remains of an Incan citadel set high in the Andes Mountains above the Urubamba river valley at a height of 2430 metres. At the last minute my trip was cancelled, and I was sent to another destination in the opposite side of the world. But last year my great nephew Joe Mackinnon set off from Scotland on a tour of Central and South America, and, yes you guessed it, he got to visit Machu Picchu! He arrived by train from Ollantaytambo, and then followed part of a traditional trade walking route between Cuzco and Machu Picchu, before visiting the village of Zurite near Ancascocha. He got some really interesting angles of the site and surrounding area. With his permission you can see some of them below. Well I guess this is a destination that I will now need to write out of my ‘bucket list,’ but how good to see it tho’, through the eyes of a family member – Thanks Joe, great pics!

In and around Machu Picchu – Peru – South America

There are many routes to the worlds destinations, and its great if we have time and opportunity to explore them. When it comes to our final destination it’s a different story. We are told there are over 2300 religions in the world and 2500 gods to go with them, not to mention the faith of the new atheists and humanists, so humanity is treading many different roads, some like to think they all reach the same destination.

One Destination NOT to be missed: As a Christian I am ultimately looking forward to a heavenly destination. Jesus said to His followers ‘I go to prepare a place for you‘ and He also said that He alone is the Way to heaven! Now that reduces the options! But why else would God send His Son to die for our sins if there were many other ways?

So to finish, may all your dreams of travel and visits around this amazing world come true, and be sure not to miss the way to the final heavenly destination, as alternative routes Jesus warns will lead to eternal disaster! (The Gospel of John – Chapter 14 verses 1-6)

If you know this Jesus, we surely will get the opportunity one day to review the way He led us to our heavenly home – it’s going to be an ‘out of this world’ destination, with the ultimate host!

Matthew

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