survey was carried out on the buildings themselves, the problems, the potential, and of local attitudes - this last involving the unusual field tools of pidgin Gaelic and the half bottle! 4. 5. Roofing a new barn in Tiree In short, investigations concluded that the physical problems could be solved, that financial backing would be available, and that local interest was surprisingly great - all of which enabled a conservation project to be set in motion. To front the project, Caidean nan Taighean Tugha (pronounced roughly 'karshtyin nun tie-in too-a') or in English "Friends of the Thatched Houses" was founded in Autumn 1985 at a public meeting in Tiree. In legal form an Unincorporated Association and charity, the "Friends" have at present a committee of 6 and the local, practical emphasis is illustrated by the fact that this committee is all Gaelic-speaking and includes 3 thatchers. Highland thatched houses have proved capable of providing small, attractive homes with all the standard comforts and amenities, with some obvious specialities in warmth and soundproofing! They are, however, essentially "organic" and thus problems focus on the regular maintenance of the roof. Main aims for the Friends are then, briefly:- 1. to ensure the supply of thatching materials; 2. to encourage the passing on of the relevant skills; 3. to obtain regular maintenance grants for those owners/occupiers who wish it; 4. to encourage the continued use of buildings and to find uses for redundant ones; 6. 5. raising public awareness of the buildings through publications, research, etc. In a very short while, considerable progress has been made on all these aims, a most important factor being the generous and flexible maintenance grants, awarded annually by the H.B.C. and administered through the Friends. Already over £30,000 has been disbursed or allocated between around 40 properties, some of which would surely have fallen derelict without this help. Seann Taighean Tirisdeach Seann Taighean Tirisdeach by Ailean Boyd, a book on old Tiree houses recently published by The Cairdean. Financing the organisation is a difficulty, however, with the work remaining largely voluntary. An early Micawberish approach was upheld by a £2,000 prize - the Conservation Foundation's UK Heritage Award for 1986! And news has just come of another tidy sum in the shape of the "Glenfiddich" Living Scotland Award (with some of the sponsor's product for the Secretary?!). The only source of regular funding, however, is from donations and subscriptions, and the Friends now have over 150 members from widely spread areas and walks of life. A limited amount of free funds is important to cover small administrative costs, but more especially to enable help to be given quickly for conservation work in cases where the normal grant cannot be made readily available. Funds are also vital for the "educational" role - currently to create a national archive of thatching and thatched buildings in Scotland. This unusual conservation project needs much more than cash, however. A continuing social involvement and physical commitment is required, and the need to foster the local interest is vital. There will no doubt be some disappointments but many of these unique buildings have an excellent chance of a future. One very satisfying outcome of progress so far is that, with the help of local planners and interested individuals, the maintenance scheme has been extended formally throughout the Highlands and Islands in 1988/9 and taken up enthusiastically. Membership ofCairdean nan Taighean Tugha, at only £2 a year, is open to all interested and can be obtainedfrom Jim Souness (Secretary), c/o Planning Department, Argyll and Bute District Council, Lochgilphead or from Donald M. MacDonald, Heanish, Isle of Tiree. They will also be delighted to give more information on the organisation and the Maintenance Scheme which may well give useful pointers for other consrevation projects. James R. Souness Senior Planner Argyll and Bute District Council Ill111111111111111 IllI11I111111111 IIIIII1111111111111 III11111111 III11I111111 IIIIll111111111 IIIIIll11111111111 III1111111111111111 II111111111111111111111111111111111 II1111111111111111 ' 19
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