Puilladobhrain information

[NormanS]

People who visit this popular Scottish anchorage may be interested to know that the Tigh an Truish hotel is closed for major refurbishment. The bar is open, but there will be no meals for the foreseeable future.

For Sasunnachs, the anchorage and the hotel, which is just over the hill, are on the island of Seil, which is connected to the Scottish mainland by the "Bridge over the Atlantic". After the 1745 Uprising, the wearing of the Tartan was proscribed by the government, and so when leaving the island, men would remove their kilts, and put on trousers. The meaning of Tigh an Truish is "The house of the trousers".

 

[Robert Wilson]

:encouragement:
On behalf of the "sasunnachs in exile" who live north of Berwick-Gretna, thank you!

 

[JumbleDuck]

For Sasunnachs, the anchorage and the hotel, which is just over the hill, are on the island of Seil, which is connected to the Scottish mainland by the "Bridge over the Atlantic". After the 1745 Uprising, the wearing of the Tartan was proscribed by the government, and so when leaving the island, men would remove their kilts, and put on trousers. The meaning of Tigh an Truish is "The house of the trousers".

That's the story, but it's a bit dodgy, not least because kilts hadn't been invented then. During the period of the Act of Proscription (1746 - 1782) highlanders would have worn a belted plaid, and there is no particular reason to think that wearing a plaid on the mainland would have been significantly more risky than wearing one on Seil. Still, it's a nice story for the tourists.

 

[Neeves]

The meaning of Tigh an Truish is "The house of the trousers".

So I have to wonder - how old is the name? and why else would it have the name?

Jonathan

 

[NormanS]

So I have to wonder - how old is the name? and why else would it have the name?

Jonathan

A quick Google says it's an 18th Century Inn. "Truish" sounds very like "trews".

 

[JumbleDuck]

So I have to wonder - how old is the name? and why else would it have the name?

A quick Google says it's an 18th Century Inn. "Truish" sounds very like "trews".

The gaelic for trousers is "briogais" (breeks) or "triubhas" (trews). I can't find "Truish" in any of the online dictionaries, but Gaelic orthography has changed a lot over the years and it's quite possible that "truish" is an old spelling of "triubhas".

Even so, there could be lots of reasons for the name. A tailor who made trousers lived there? The landlord in 1734 was the first man on Seil to wear trousers? The landlord was very small (troich = dwarf)? It was a house next to a narrow channel of water (troich = ditch)? Someone wanted an entertaining story to tell the tourists?

The tartan-for-trews (which were traditionally made of tartan, and therefore proscribed ...) story is not impossible, but I think it needs stronger evidence than is normally presented.

 

[wallacebob]

My understanding, materal grandfather from Balvicar, is that tartan (mainly a modern invention) wasn't banned. The garment itself was not allowed as it was multipurpose: a sleeping roll, coat, blanket. This allowed early wild camping. The Forestry Commision or some other government forces didn't like this apparently. Troosers are less adaptable, or were until Craghoppers came along.
My favourite story is of my Great Uncle rowing for his weekly pint at the pub.

 

[Sgeir]

and why else would it have the name?

I've read another explanation that breeks were made there. Seems more plausible than hanging up one's plaid.

 

[claymore]

Well, whilst this is interesting, I'm disappointed that the OP didn't mention the pontoons which are now almost complete, I understand?
Also, I did hear that Webcraft had something to do with the Tigh needing to be refurbished. Apparently he opened his wallet a week or two back and the tremors that reverberated through the place, as all the other customers fainted and hit the floor brought the roof down.

 

[pagoda]

Well, whilst this is interesting, I'm disappointed that the OP didn't mention the pontoons which are now almost complete, I understand?
Also, I did hear that Webcraft had something to do with the Tigh needing to be refurbished. Apparently he opened his wallet a week or two back and the tremors that reverberated through the place, as all the other customers fainted and hit the floor brought the roof down.

Pontoons, Puilladobhran in the same sentence??? Or at Balvicar? I think of a whole generation or two who would turn in their grave (or even in anticipation) at the idea of pontoons! by Puilladobhrain??

Where may they be?

 

[NormanS]

I can assure you that there are no pontoons, and indeed when we sailed in there yesterday, we were the only boat.

 

[JumbleDuck]

My understanding, materal grandfather from Balvicar, is that tartan (mainly a modern invention) wasn't banned. The garment itself was not allowed as it was multipurpose: a sleeping roll, coat, blanket.

The Dress Act said

That from and after the first day of August, One thousand, seven hundred and forty-six, no man or boy within that part of Britain called Scotland, other than such as shall be employed as Officers and Soldiers in His Majesty's Forces, shall, on any pretext whatever, wear or put on the clothes commonly called Highland clothes (that is to say) the Plaid, Philabeg, or little Kilt, Trowse, Shoulder-belts, or any part whatever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland Garb; and that no tartan or party-coloured plaid of stuff shall be used for Great Coats or upper coats, and if any such person shall presume after the said first day of August, to wear or put on the aforesaid garment or any part of them, every such person so offending ... For the first offence,shall be liable to be imprisoned for 6 months, and on the second offence, to be transported to any of His Majesty's plantations beyond the seas, there to remain for the space of seven years.​

I was wrong. The kilt is listed, but I don't think it would have been much in use in the highlands, being a lowland invention. However, I am interested to see that "trowse" were banned as well.

Tartan was definitely around then, and in widespread use, but it wasn't nearly as codified as it is today. Almost all "historic" tartans were invented for Vestiarium Scoticum, a complete fraud of a book published in 1842 to cash in on fashionable Scottishness. See also: Ossian.

I've read another explanation that breeks were made there. Seems more plausible than hanging up one's plaid.

Much more plausible.

Pontoons, Puilladobhran in the same sentence??? Or at Balvicar? I think of a whole generation or two who would turn in their grave (or even in anticipation) at the idea of pontoons! by Puilladobhrain??

It's a nice enough place off-season, but in the summer I think Puilladobhran's main use is keeping the sheep away from other anchorages. Whatever the attraction is in squeezing in with thirty other boats, it leaves me cold. Pontoons would presumably turn the numpty-magnet effect up to 11.

 

[NormanS]

You're not really a happy chappy, are you?

 

[webcraft]

.
Puilladobhran is full of pontoons and the Tigh an Truish is now a Macdonalds.

Cuan Sound is blocked by tidal turbines and Easdale Island has been towed into the Sound of Jura and used for shelling practice by the navy.

- W

 

[JumbleDuck]

You're not really a happy chappy, are you?

Me? Happy and jolly as the day is long, providing you choose a day before the 17th May or so.

My taste in anchorages is for pleasantly remote and lonely ones. I don't go avoiding company, but I prefer not to have to wedge in with loads of others. So, in the season, no Bull Hole, no Puilladobhran.

Cuan Sound is blocked by tidal turbines and Easdale Island has been towed into the Sound of Jura and used for shelling practice by the navy.

Wasn't there a plan to block quite a lot of Cuan Sound with a fish farm? And the west side of Easdale looks as if it has been shelled already. I like it very much there, and the food is excellent at the Puffer.

 

[Neeves]

Forget all this stuff about tartan and kilts -

Norman - why on earth are you there - its still the middle of winter! I'm impressed - and not surprised that the hostelry is closed, its difficult to make a profit from one intrepid pair.

Jonathan

 

[NormanS]

Forget all this stuff about tartan and kilts -

Norman - why on earth are you there - its still the middle of winter! I'm impressed - and not surprised that the hostelry is closed, its difficult to make a profit from one intrepid pair.

Jonathan

Ah! The joys of a deck saloon ketch. (With good heating)

We were just out on our shakedown cruise, and even had some sunshine, and a hint of warmth. Huh! we had a day in Sydney a couple of months ago, and it rained. :disgust:

 

[Neeves]

Sadly it has not rained since

You are an example to us all.

Jonathan

 

[pagoda]

I can assure you that there are no pontoons, and indeed when we sailed in there yesterday, we were the only boat.

Phew... That's the way I like anchorages. Only been in Puilladobhrain 3 times in the last 10 years, with only 2 or 3 other boats. That's tolerable

 

[JumbleDuck]

Phew... That's the way I like anchorages. Only been in Puilladobhrain 3 times in the last 10 years, with only 2 or 3 other boats. That's tolerable

It's quite nice like that, though I did once have great fun tacking all the way to the south end when I was hair-shirting it without an engine and there were about twenty other boats in. Up popped faces in twenty cockpits, swivelling to and from as if watching a tennis match.