MacDonald (of Clanranald)

Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1874, 1877 and 1891

Series

Identifier: Coll-97/CW108

Scope and Contents Notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing songs, poems, tales, names, vocabulary and expressions collected in the Outer Hebrides [Na h-Eileanan an Iar]. The first part of the volume contains transcriptions taken as Carmichael listened to informants in 1877 while the second part appears to be copies of previous transcriptions of material collected by Carmichael and Rev Malcolm MacPhail in 1874 and written into the notebook in 1891. Amongst the material is a version of the lament...

Dates: 1874, 1877 and 1891

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection

Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 15 July 1870 to 19 October 1871

Series

Identifier: Coll-97/CW116

Scope and Contents Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael, inscribed on the inside cover with 'Alexander A Carmichael Inland Revenue Lochmaddy N[orth] Uist 15/7 1870 Note Book No 8'. The majority of this notebook contains material collected on Tarasaigh/Taransay from the MacDonalds at Paible House, Mor or Marion MacQueen and Donald MacKinnon including notes on the island's archaeology, local history and geographical changes, with stories of how coastal erosion revealed burial sites and renditions of...

Dates: 15 July 1870 to 19 October 1871

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection

Notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael, 12 September 1890 to 1895

Series

Identifier: Coll-97/CW1

Scope and Contents Notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael but also used by John Ewen MacRury. The front cover bears a sticker which reads 'Gaelic Notes 1894-5. (Collection of traditions, tales, etc. by Alexander Carmichael (?). Many pages cancelled, indicating publication.) [Carmichael Watson Collection]'. The flyleaf reads 'Gaelic Notes, 1894-5' and the rear flyleaf contains a jotting which reads 'Wishing Guidhe'. The beginning of the notebook contains field notes made by Carmichael in Uibhist a...

Dates: 12 September 1890 to 1895

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection

Song and story entitled 'Mac Ic Allein', 1867

Item

Identifier: Coll-97/CW114/66

Scope and Contents Song and story entitled 'Mac Ic Allein' [Mac ic Ailein] probably collected from Roderick MacNeil, aged 88, crofter, Miùghlaigh/Mingulay. The story tells how a man had stolen a cow from Mac ic Ailein and was to be hanged for his crime. He bought himself some time by composing the song and after he had sung it, Mac ic Ailein cut him down, gave him a cow and sent him home. The song begins 'Slan iomrai a ghaisg. A chuir mi seach' and is composed of sixty-six lines, some of which have pencil...

Dates: 1867

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael

Three stories about crodh-mara [sea-cattle] and the MacDonalds, 18 January 1871

Item

Identifier: Coll-97/CW116/135

Scope and Contents Three stories collected from John MacKinnon, Cairinis/Carinish, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist about crodh mara or sea-cattle and the MacDonalds. The first story tells how Mac Dhonuil Dui lived in a house 200 yards west of Teampull na Trionaid with his wife but they had no family or cattle. MacDonald Dubh fell ill and every morning and evening a cow 'bo mhaol bhui[dhe]' visited them to be milked but was never seen between times. One day, while milking the wife spilt milk and cursed the cow and...

Dates: 18 January 1871

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael

Transcription notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1865-1886

Series

Identifier: Coll-97/CW7

Scope and Contents Transcription notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing mainly Fenian songs and cattle charms. Most of the charms relate to cattle and working in the dairy and so are recited for the protection and healing of cattle, although there are some charms for protecting and healing people as well. A number of the charms include the use of medicinal plants, for which there is additional vocabulary. Carmichael also includes charms and customs for predicting marriage partners. Almost all of...

Dates: 1865-1886

Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection

University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1874, 1877 and 1891

Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 15 July 1870 to 19 October 1871

Notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael, 12 September 1890 to 1895

Song and story entitled 'Mac Ic Allein', 1867

Three stories about crodh-mara [sea-cattle] and the MacDonalds, 18 January 1871

Transcription notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1865-1886

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