This typical ‘cottar’s house’ – late 19th century – celebrated its ‘rebirth’ on the 19th August 2002. Faithfully rebuilt, it is a look at our island’s past and an illustration of traditional island skills. The cottage walls were built by Jim MacCormick with help from his Uncle James MacCormick and Peter MacDougall, all from Lismore. The roof beams were erected by Simon Bevan from Ardfern in Argyll, and thatched by Jeremy Cox from Castle Douglas, Dumfrieshire. Some of the reeds used came from Balnagowan Loch on Lismore, with the remainder coming from Perthshire.
In its first year it won the Best Place to Visit in Scotland Award and was also the Overall Winner of the UKFX Tourism Awards 2003. Donald Black, Margaret MacDonald, two founders of the Society, and Nadair Coordinator Tony Perkins received the award on behalf of the Society at a ceremony at Duck Bay Marina, Loch Lomond in early December 2003.
The main room of the cottage had a peat fire on which the cooking would have been done. The walls were lime-washed and the floor of stone or beaten earth. A home-made rag rug provided some warmth. The simple chairs were probably made locally or brought to the island by the “puffers” which plied up and down the west coast from the mid-19th century onwards.
The beautiful wooden cradle was found several years ago during a house clearance on the island. It dates to the middle of the 19th century. Visiting children are welcome to lift out baby “Isobel” and see how she was dressed and made cosy in her bed in front of the fire. The dresser on the right of the picture was the 19th century equivalent of a 
“fitted kitchen” of today. It contained the family cutlery, crockery and all sorts of other necessities of 19th-century life for a relatively poor family.
The spinning wheel was used for flax but it could also be used for wool. It has two spindles which would enable a very skilled worker to double her output by controlling the twist to both at the same time. It was donated to the museum by Mr Geoff Fairbairn who also restored it to working order. It is regularly used for demonstrations but is stored for the winter in a warm damp-free environment where this photograph was taken.
The following are a record of the opening on 19 August 2002 and the building in progress.
Taigh Iseabal Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 Annie , Katie and Duncan MacGregor,
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 Procession led by the founders
Taigh Iseabal Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 Donald Black, Angus Nicolson, Katie MacGregor
Taigh Iseabal Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 Duncan Black, Mairi Smith, Margaret MacDonald Kathy Carmichael, Duncan Livingstone,Johnny Livingstone, Archie MacColl
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 Cathy Carmichael, Katie MacGregor cutting the ribbon and Archie McColl
Taigh Iseabal Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 Opening address
Taigh Iseabal Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 Donald Black opening address
Taigh Iseabal Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002 , , Katie MacGregor MacGregor, Piper Angus Nicolson
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh opening 2 August 2002
Taigh Iseabal Dhaihd opening 2 August 2002
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh opening 19 Aug 02in progress with piper Angus Nicolson 2002
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh fully thatched 13.12.2012
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh Thatcher at work Aug 2002
Taigh Iseabail Dhaidh Thatcher at work Aug 2002
To the hall to celebrate after the event and to auction some Lismore Whisky for much needed funds for the next stage of what would become the heritage centre at Ionad Naomh Moluag
The celebration after the cottage opening 19.08.2022 John Livingstone Auctioning Lismore whisky
Tony Perkins addressing the celebration 19.08.2022
The celebration after the cottage opening 19.08.2022 Auctioning Lismore whisky
The celebration after the cottage opening 19.08.2022
Report and Images: Pauline Dowling