The Flying Monk
Jimmy Bullar's Tea Hut
This weird contraption is living out the remainder of its days well off the beaten track in the middle of a peat bog in Ness, on the Isle Lewis. I stumbled across it 12 months ago on a night photography trek to the shielings of Cuishader. When bad weather cut last year's trip short, I knew I'd have to return another day night to carry on where I'd left off previously. In the meantime I've learnt a little more about the area and some of its inhabitants.
Several people have contacted me since I posted my first batch of Cuishader photos in Feb 2011, sharing their knowledge and experiences of time spent in the area. Piecing together various snippets of info, I've managed to come up with an abbreviated history of Jimmy Bullar's Tea Hut. There may be a few errors and no doubt many gaps to fill but it's entertaining nonetheless....
JB's tea hut appears to have started life on the island as a British European Airways passenger bus, operating between Stornoway and the town's airport. The bus was one of approximately 300 Commer Commando Observation Coaches, built in 1947. When it was retired from airport duty it became a mobile shop, operated by Kenny Maclennan. At some point in the 1960s it was acquired by Kenny's brother, Jimmy 'Bullar' Maclennan, proprietor of Stornoway Builders Ltd, It was used as a mobile canteen and accomodation unit for the firm's employees, hence the 'Tea Hut' designation.
In addition to running Stornoway Builders Ltd, entrepreneur Jimmy built 'The Acres' hotel in Stornoway. In 1968 he managed to infuriate local Free Presbyterian Ministers by selling alcohol on the Sabbath. The Wee Free powers that be (aka the Tartan Taliban), used their not inconsiderable influence to bring the businessman down. The hooded crows had their day, with the hotel being put up for sale in 1972. Meanwhile Jimmy's building firm also hit the skids. In a separate incident in 1976, his house in Smith Avenue, Stornoway, was completely destroyed in a gas explosion. Dramatic times!
Following the collapse of Stornoway Builders Ltd, the 'tea hut' found a new owner and was ultimately transported to Cuishader, where it became a static home from home for some of the part-time peat cutters of Ness.
Full moon
1:17am
4 minute exposure
Additional LED lighting from camera left
Part of my Night Photography set
web | blog | facebook | twitter
Jimmy Bullar's Tea Hut
This weird contraption is living out the remainder of its days well off the beaten track in the middle of a peat bog in Ness, on the Isle Lewis. I stumbled across it 12 months ago on a night photography trek to the shielings of Cuishader. When bad weather cut last year's trip short, I knew I'd have to return another day night to carry on where I'd left off previously. In the meantime I've learnt a little more about the area and some of its inhabitants.
Several people have contacted me since I posted my first batch of Cuishader photos in Feb 2011, sharing their knowledge and experiences of time spent in the area. Piecing together various snippets of info, I've managed to come up with an abbreviated history of Jimmy Bullar's Tea Hut. There may be a few errors and no doubt many gaps to fill but it's entertaining nonetheless....
JB's tea hut appears to have started life on the island as a British European Airways passenger bus, operating between Stornoway and the town's airport. The bus was one of approximately 300 Commer Commando Observation Coaches, built in 1947. When it was retired from airport duty it became a mobile shop, operated by Kenny Maclennan. At some point in the 1960s it was acquired by Kenny's brother, Jimmy 'Bullar' Maclennan, proprietor of Stornoway Builders Ltd, It was used as a mobile canteen and accomodation unit for the firm's employees, hence the 'Tea Hut' designation.
In addition to running Stornoway Builders Ltd, entrepreneur Jimmy built 'The Acres' hotel in Stornoway. In 1968 he managed to infuriate local Free Presbyterian Ministers by selling alcohol on the Sabbath. The Wee Free powers that be (aka the Tartan Taliban), used their not inconsiderable influence to bring the businessman down. The hooded crows had their day, with the hotel being put up for sale in 1972. Meanwhile Jimmy's building firm also hit the skids. In a separate incident in 1976, his house in Smith Avenue, Stornoway, was completely destroyed in a gas explosion. Dramatic times!
Following the collapse of Stornoway Builders Ltd, the 'tea hut' found a new owner and was ultimately transported to Cuishader, where it became a static home from home for some of the part-time peat cutters of Ness.
Full moon
1:17am
4 minute exposure
Additional LED lighting from camera left
Part of my Night Photography set
web | blog | facebook | twitter