Scope and Contents Custom written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Togal an Doinis' [Togail an Donais] describing how if something was stolen and the culprit not known, the suspects names were written on a piece of paper and if the person performing the charm could not write then a symbol was drawn to represent each suspect. The paper was folded longways, rubbed between the hands and dropped into a bowl of water. If the culprit's name was on the paper it would sink to the bottom...

Scope and Contents

Customs written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula relating to cattle herding, describing how when herding cattle to or from the house a number of cattle were allowed to follow behind the herder to avoid the evil eye. Also, if someone praised the cattle, the herder had to praise the cattle even higher. Text has been scored through in pencil as if transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Note by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Butterfly' describing how the 'Dalan De' of golden colour if seen flying over a corpse signifies that their spirit is in heaven. The superstition only applies to this particular kind of butterfly. Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Note by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Cuthag' [cuckoo] describing how if early in that morning a cuckoo called between two houses occupied by the same family, one or more of them sleeping an outhouse, then ''there was a separation & coolness to exhist between them'. Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Note by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Fuath' describing it as a invisible spirit deemed an omen that a family will lose all their possessions shortly. It appears in a whirl wind, secluded places or 'at wakes of wicked people'. Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Note by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Lus an acrais' describing it as a 'dangerous plant' which will sicken people. 'it grows from "Night Soil" produced from food taken without grace or other signs of thankfulness. If a person step[s] over or very near it, it has effect on them.' Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Note by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Mian-fuail' describing it as 'a drop of "fual" or "wine" direct from either sex if put in any eatables would create or kindle a spark of flaming love in the bosom of the party taking it.' Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

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...

Scope and Contents Story written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Dealan De' [Dealan-DèYellow Butterfly]. MacRury tells how there are many kinds of Dealan-Dè but this particular kind is uncommon and did not exist until Christ had risen from the dead. They all came out of Christ's tomb. He gives a lengthy, romantic physical description of the butterfly and tells how they are never seen around wrong-doers or where there is bad language. It is good luck for the butterfly to be seen...

Scope and Contents Story written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Meteor' describing the first time he saw a meteor. He states that it was in October 1872, and that the meteor 'came down at a very slow rate in a spirally sort of way and leaving a train of faint fire behind it. It was about two miles distant from where I was it fell. Others saw it also and predicted a death within a few days and strange to say a woman died very near the place it fell a few days afterwards.' He...