Righting historical inaccuracies
Much as I enjoy the products of Glen Scotia Distillery and welcome its increasing commercial success, I have to correct several statements in the article about The Mermaid 12-year-old malt whisky in last week’s Courier.
First, John McIsaac, who claimed to have seen a mermaid on the Learside in 1811, was not a “townsman”, but a farmer at Corphin, which is well down the coast and in Southend Parish.
Second, the sighting was not “substantiated by various community members”. An eight-year-old girl, Catherine Loynachan, who lived on another Learside farm, Balnatunie, was the only other person who claimed to have seen the creature.
Third, regarding the “various sightings of sea maidens reported around Campbeltown’s coves and beaches throughout history”, I am not aware of any other such reports and would welcome details.
Fourth, “distilling in town” was not “growing to new heights” in 1811. On the contrary, there were no legal distilleries in Campbeltown in that year, because the industry was in the middle of a hiatus, which didn’t end until 1817, when Campbeltown Distillery was built.
Plenty of illicit stuff would have been made at the time, but, for obvious reasons, records of that branch of the industry are relatively sparse.
The problem with factual errors in historical writings is that they tend to be perpetuated by subsequent writers.
Angus Martin, Campbeltown.
100th anniversary of cenotaph dedication service
On October 23, 1918, Private James McPherson, Royal Scots 2nd Battalion, was killed in action at Beaudignies, France, making the ultimate sacrifice 19 days before the Armistice of November 11, 1918.
James, residing in Cross Street, was the fourth sibling of Archie McPherson to lay down his life in defence of British liberty and freedom.
Campbeltonians, mirroring so many towns and parishes the length and breadth of the British Isles, self-financed the erection of monuments to commemorate the sacrifices of their sons, killed in action, buried in far off lands, so that they would always be remembered.
Our forefathers and foremothers gathered to dedicate Campbeltown’s cenotaph on October 20, 1923. Twenty-two days later they gathered again to commemorate the Armistice.
This year, Armistice Day will be held on Saturday November 11. Sunday observance, known as Remembrance Sunday, fixed as the second Sunday of November, will be held on Sunday November 12.
Who amongst us Campbeltonians will be gathering today, Friday October 20, 2023, to rededicate and reflect as our families did 100 years ago?
Archie, residing in Glebe Street, was my great grandfather, who witnessed his three sons go to war and return home safe.
“Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away” – Song of Solomon 2:17
Lest we forget.
Tommy Macpherson, Saddell, a former Royal Marines Commando and elected member for South Kintyre.
Underfunded fire services
The Fire Brigades Union, which is threatening strike action, said cuts by the SNP government is a “threat to the lives, homes and livelihoods of everyone in Scotland”.
Public services have been systematically underfunded by the SNP government, which would rather squander taxpayer money on independence papers and legal battles with the UK Government.
The SNP government must provide fair funding for our fire service and return to the negotiating table with unions as soon as possible.
Councillor Alastair Redman, Kintyre and the Islands ward.