This episode is a conversation with Christine Leach of Balevulin, Tiroran.
Originally from near Portsmouth, Christine has lived on Mull for many years.
Christine runs Pennyghael in the Past Historical Archive.
PPHA is a remarkable archive full of the most interesting materials that shines light onto the history of Brolas and its surrounds.
I’ve always found Brolas here on Mull to be a very tricky area to define. There are Macleans of Duart, Lochbuie and Brolas, Duart and Lochbuie are easy enough to locate in your mind, but Brolas less so.
It is for that reason and many more, that I wanted to talk with Christine.
Christine’s book Hebridean Healers, about the medieval Beaton family, who were located at Pennycross is out now and very much worth your while. It’s a great resource to explore Mull’s past. Christine was joined by Andrea Cameron, Elizabeth Carter and Miek Zwambourn in the writing of the book.
We also talk about Christine’s journey to coming to live on Mull, what brought her here and how it swiftly began to feel like home. There are many names mentioned from that past that I know many listeners will be delighted to hear again.
You’ll also find some scans of news paper articles relating to the crash landing of a plane that Christine experienced when she was 22! There was so much to talk about that we didn’t even get onto that story!
Thank you to Christine for all the photos that you can see below.
Thanks for listening!
Episode Links:
Pennyghael in the Past Historical Archive
Hebridean Healers – Christine’s book
Peter McNab’s guide to Mull and Iona
Jo Currie – Mull the Island and Its People
Some Images from Christine’s life at Ballochmore
Tavool in 1992
Christine’s Bench at Tavool
Christine’s dramatic plane story
What We Do In The Winter 
FIRST MET CHRISTINE IN 2006 AT THE MULL CLEARANCE REUNION WITH FELLOW TRAVELLERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD AND A GREAT RESEARCHER OF MULL HISTORY.A GREAT HELP TO MANY DOING FAMILY RESEARCH.
COLIN SHAW BUNBURY WESTERN AUSTRALIA
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