A Saltcoats museum has delved into the life of renowned potato breeder Donald McKelvie, or the "Tattie Man", who was born on this day in 1867 on the Isle of Arran.
The North Ayrshire Heritage Museum opted to mark the birthday of the Lamlash man by sharing a short snippet of his life on social media - helping to draw attention to his admirable endeavours and achievements which are still celebrated today.
Whilst living in Claveron, Lamlash in 1907, Donald became interested in horticulture. He built greenhouses and started to raise and select thousands of seedlings. His “tattie fields” were where the High School sits now and his crop included “Arran Pilot”, “Arran Banner” and “Arran Cairn”, some of which were Lord Derby gold medal winners.
It is even from the “Arran Cairn” that the famous “Maris Piper” potato was developed. He also raised potatoes which were immune to wart disease which was a serious issue in the early 1900s.
In January 1943 Donald received an OBE “for services in the breeding of new potato types” and gained a mention in the London Gazette.
There is an exhibition in his honour in the Arran Heritage Museum in Brodick and McKelvie Road in Lamlash is named after him.
There is also a “Blue Plaque” dedicated to him on the wall of the Co-op in Lamlash.
In March 1947, Donald died at home in Lamlash, aged 80.
To read more about this interesting tale, click here
Got an interesting piece of local history like this to share? Get in touch at editorial@ardrossanherald.co.uk
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