Map Reference: Cornaigmore h
Name Type: building
Meaning: Ruin of the house of the sermon
Other Forms: Taigh an t-Searmoin - the Sermon House - HC.
Taigh Searmoin - LC, Flora MacLean, Druimfraoich.
Taigh Shearmoin Mhic Fhearchair - SA 1982/102/A2, Hector Kennedy, Heylipol, 1976, Dr Margaret Mackay, 'Brothers in Mission', 162
Related Places: Càrn Iseabail
Information:At the time of the Reformation Calvinists believed strongly that teaching people to read the Bible for themselves was of supreme importance. In 1696 an Act of the Scottish Parliament established the principle that would set up a Church of Scotland Parochial School in every parish in Scotland, paid for by the Church and local landowners. These schools would be open to all regardless of how rich or poor you were (The Scottish Educational System 1840 -1940, WW Knox, SCRAN website).
It took some time for this to be put into effect on Tiree, but by at least the 1780s there was one Parochial school on Tiree in Cornaigmore at An Taigh Shearmoin, with a Mr Buchanan installed as school master...
By 1795, however, the Cornaig school master, Buchanan, had fallen foul of the estate.
As it appears that Buchanan is now of no use as schoolmaster you should get rid of him as soon as possible and correspond with Mr. Kemp and Mr. Ferrier [James Ferrier, the Duke’s agent in Edinburgh, Instructions p. X] about a successor to him, and let the necessary accommodations be provided in time for his successor. Buchanan may be allowed something to carry him to Perthshire, his native country (Instructions p 40).
It took six years to move the reluctant teacher. The Duke wrote in exasperation in 1801,
Get Buchanan and his son out of the island as soon as possible. I shall pay the old man £10 yearly during his life providing he goes away peaceably. The son I will have nothing to do with. Another schoolmaster to be looked for, and one of the natives to be preferred, if qualified (Instructions p 57).
The factor was able to report later that year,
Buchanan the schoolmaster was removed at last Whitsunday, enjoying his allowance of £10 for life according to your Grace’s instructions. His son is dead (Instructions p 62-3). From 'Ministers and Deep Sea Captains' a history of Tiree Schools by An Iodhlann, 2011.
On the boundary of Kilmoluaig, Cornaigmore and Heylipol - HC.
Local Form:
Languages : GaelicInformants: Hector J Campbell, Cornaigbeg, 11/1994
Informant 2: Hugh Campbell, Garraphail, 11/1995 and 4/2011
Informant 3: Lachlan Campbell, Crossapol, 10/1994
Leave a Reply