Malcolm McColl

The sculpture in question portrays the inspiring story of a man named Malcolm, who defied the odds and stood up against community clearance and eviction. The account of Malcolm's story was brought to light through Robert Hay's book, "Lismore The Great Garden." The following excerpt from Hay's book provides an insightful glimpse into Malcolm's remarkable story, and I hope it proves to be an enjoyable read.

The tenants did not all go quietly.  In the summer of 1843, the death of Archibald McColl, one of the farmers in Baligrundle, offered an early opportunity for Cheyne to clear the McColl family but it appears that his 27-year-old son, Malcolm, resisted the attempt of the police to serve notice of removal – the crime of “deforcement”.  On 26 July, a warrant for his arrest was issued by the Sheriff Substitute and a party of five, led by Donald MacDonald, a police constable in Oban, descended on the McColl home in Baligrundle, apprehended Malcolm and marched him off to Achnacroish, where their boat was lying.  However, they underestimated the solidarity of the Lismore community.  Malcolm McColl (another Malcolm, 42, mason in Tirlaggan), Duncan Connell (27, farmer’s son in Balnagowan) and Donald McLachlan (22, joiner and boat builder in Balnagowan)

 “did all and each or one or more of them … near the heights above the Bay of Achnacroish … in concert with a great number of other persons amounting to fifty or sixty or thereby wickedly and feloniously obstruct & deforce Donald MacDonald in the execution of the … warrant knowing him to be an officer of the law then engaged in the execution of his duty,  and this they did by pulling … Malcolm McColl from the grasp of … Donald MacDonald and his assistants … and by the threat of personal violence to Donald MacDonald and his assistants … and by other violent and riotous conduct by all which or part thereof the said, Malcolm McColl”

was rescued from the custody of  Donald MacDonald” The Minutes of the Argyllshire Constabulary  Committee indicate that the forces of law and order were outraged at this behaviour.  On 27 September, the Procurator Fiscal, in person, arrived on the island, supported by a superintendent and 10 police officers, and took the three ringleaders prisoner, sending them away successfully to Inveraray.  Later in the day, they tried to arrest a further man (not named but probably the original Malcolm McColl) but the party was assaulted by the local residents, and he escaped.  McColl, Connell and McLachlan had to wait until 2 December when they were found guilty of deforcement and sentenced to a further 60 days of imprisonment in Inveraray Prison.  In spite of their criminal records, they appear to have returned to normal life on the island. However, Malcolm McColl and his family in Baligrundle disappear from view after 1843 when he emigrated to Canada.

Robert Hay. (2009). Lismore: The Great Garden. Edinburgh, Birlinn Limited. Page 137-138.