Uist’s historic
ploughing match p9
What’s On in the Hebrides this month p12, 13
19
PAGE
June 2015
island news Edition 36
EE FR
& ADVERTISER
Mystery of the missing figurehead The disappearance of the figurehead on the bow of the replica birlinn currently displayed in South Uist seems worthy of Sherlock Holme’s attention.
T
he missing figurehead is no ordinary theft, but linked with strong feelings nursed by its abductor. The Galley Aileach emerged from its temporary winter quarters in South Uist some weeks ago to be displayed at Kildonan Museum for the season. On Tuesday May 19, something looked odd about it. Museum staff realised that the wooden figurehead, carved in the form of a leaping fish, (pictured above) was missing. An old piece of plastic was found nearby with a message in Gaelic, giving a voice to Aileach and telling the people who placed her there ‘I should be out on the high seas, not locked up in a field.’ Consternation ensued in the community. Local councillor Ronald MacKinnon said: “If the perpetrator had something to say, why didn’t he say it to us directly? “If he had talked to us we could have
explained. The ship is in need of repair, and there have been talks underway with the Trust which owns her to have the repairs carried out in South Uist using the skills here, which would be a great thing for the community. “The Aileach has travelled all over the place for years without incident, and it’s embarrassing that such a thing should have happened here.” Mr MacKinnon said he is convinced because of the Gaelic used for the message that the perpetrator is local. He said: “We have had to involve the police, but we’re hoping that it will be brought back and that will be the end of the matter.” Galley Aileach was built in Ireland in 1991, designed by Colin Mudie with much of the detail coming from an image on a MacLeod gravestone at Rodel Church, Harris. It is owned by The Lords of the Isles Trust who at the time of printing were unavailable for comment.
Galley Aileach outside Kildonan Museum before the theft.
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