MacNeil (of Barra)

Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1870 to 1872

Series

Identifier: Coll-97/CW90

Scope and Contents Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing the stories 'Rocabarrai' and 'Cugarbhad'; some songs and song fragments; customs relating to religious festivals, particularly on the Isle of Barra; stories about the MacNeil of Barra; stories and archaeological notes on Castle Beagram [Caisteal Bheagram, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]; cattle charms and stories about the Lochlannaich [Vikings]. As well as archaeological notes on chapels and cemeteries the majority of the notebook...

Dates: 1870 to 1872

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

Notes and story about the Lochlannaich [Vikings], 1867

Item

Identifier: Coll-97/CW114/71

Scope and Contents Notes and story about the Lochlannaich [Vikings] probably collected from Roderick MacNeil, aged 88, crofter, Miùghlaigh/Mingulay telling how they lived on Fuda [Fuidheigh/Fuday] and were killed there by Mac an Amhrais, an illegitimate son of MacNeil of Barra to prove, at MacNeil's request, that he was his son. The informant states, 'The Lochlannaich at one time owned all these islands,' and had a king called Barp 'who was the embodi[ment] of al that was fierce cruel and murderous'. When he...

Dates: 1867

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

Song entitled 'Tuiream' and accompanying story, September 1872

Item

Identifier: Coll-97/CW90/125

Scope and Contents

Song entitled 'Tuiream' [Dirge] beginning 'Cuim nach togain guth ard eir ledai mo leinibh mo chaomh'. The accompanying story includes a note on the lineage of MacNeil of Barra.

Dates: September 1872

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

Story entitled 'Saothach Maoldonaich', September 1872

Item

Identifier: Coll-97/CW90/149

Scope and Contents Story entitled 'Saothach Maoldonaich' in which 'Fear Shanntrai' [Fear Shanndraigh/tacksman of Sanndray] finds a wrecked vessel and removes all the gold from it. He buried it in Caolas, Vat[ersay] [Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay] a grieve was also burying the cask of 14 gills. Both men died men 'died in a fever rather suddenly'. Property was left to MacNeil of Barra, his nephew, but when the creditors heard about it they wanted to take it. Fear Shanntraigh said he would build [a barrier of gold] from...

Dates: September 1872

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

Two stories about Raol mor mac ic Ailein, 20 January 1871

Item

Identifier: Coll-97/CW116/152

Scope and Contents Two stories collected from Hector MacLeod, aged 85, at Caisteal Bhuirgh/Borve Castle, Lionacleit/Linaclate, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula about Raol mor mac ic Ailein [Raghnall Mòr mac 'ic Aileain or Ranald MacDonald of Clanranald]. The first story tells of a foster-brother of Nighean Mhic Neill came from Barraigh/Isle of Barra to visit her at Caisteal Borgh but unable to get across the ford he stayed at a shoemaker's house. In the morning, a miosgan ime was placed on the table and the Barrach...

Dates: 20 January 1871

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

Two stories relating to Cladh-Mhoire Nunton, 20 January 1871

Item

Identifier: Coll-97/CW116/149

Scope and Contents Two stories collected from Hector MacLeod, aged 85, at Caisteal Bhuirgh/Borve Castle, Lionacleit/Linaclate, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula telling how Cladh-Mhoire Nunton [Baile nan Cailleach] had a roof which was burned the same night as all other church roofs were burnt in Scotland for reasons which remain a mystery. 'No such secret as this was ever Kept. Nothing is know[n] of it.' The first person to be buried there was Bard dugh mhic Neill Bharrai [Bàrd Dubh Mhic Neill Bharraigh] who fell...

Dates: 20 January 1871

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

University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1870 to 1872

Notes and story about the Lochlannaich [Vikings], 1867

Song entitled 'Tuiream' and accompanying story, September 1872

Story entitled 'Saothach Maoldonaich', September 1872

Two stories about Raol mor mac ic Ailein, 20 January 1871

Two stories relating to Cladh-Mhoire Nunton, 20 January 1871

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