Bell Pol’s House (Building M)
This building was roofless and partially collapsed in 1963. It was largely rebuilt by the Museum in 1976. The building would have originally had a thatched roof and purlin sockets and ridge pads can be seen internally in both gables. No cruck bases or cruck positions have been noted within the building suggesting that they may have been infilled or that this low status building had more traditional ground-set crucks or none at all. Whilst the principal box-bed is located in the western corner of the building, there is also a concrete floor pad in the northern corner of the building suggesting the position of a second box-bed.
Isabella MacCallum, who lived here in the late 1880s, was born at Auchindrain, and was the daughter of a cottar – a landless labourer. Isabella was unmarried and for much of her life she kept house for her father. When he died she moved away from Auchindrain and went to work as a labourer in the local mines. The mines were very muddy places and Isabella was given the nickname - Bell Pol – which is the Gaelic for watery mud. When she retired Isabella returned to Auchindrain to be supported by her relatives. On hearing about Isabella’s return to Auchindrain, the 8th Duke of Argyll suggested that the tenant farmers rebuild for her the ruined cottage which had once been inhabited by her father, and continue the age old custom of looking after their own. The Duke supported his proposal with labour and materials. Isabella lived the remainder of her life at Auchindrain, provided for by the Township people. Isabella died in 1913.
