University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Scope and Contents

Custom entitled 'Cannach an t-Sleibhe' [canach an t-sleibhe or moss-cotton] relating to a marriage test in which a maid has to weave and sew a shirt of moss-cotton herself before she can get married. Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Fragment of a poem entitled 'Barraglas' probably collected from Duncan MacNiven, retired schoolmaster, Airds, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire, beginning 'Bean na sui[dhe] air an lar, Bra[th] eadar da chois'. The poem has one verse of four line and the second verse has two line and looks to be incomplete. Text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Note probably collected from Christina Campbell née Macintyre, Lios Mòr/Lismore Earra, Ghàidheal/Argyllshire that Sir Duncan Campbell offered Alastair MacColl the rent on Achnacrois [Achadh na Croise/Achnacroish, Lios Mòr/Lismore] at 15 pounds a year as long as water ran in Allt Mhuilinn Mhic Aidh. Allt Mhuilinn Mhic Aidh is noted as running between Bailnangown [Baile na Gobhann/Balnagown] and Achnacrois. Sir Duncan's trousers and coat are described.

Scope and Contents Prayer entitled 'Coisrigeadh An Aodaich' [Consecration of the Cloth] collected from Duncan Cameron, police officer, Lochaluinn, Morven [Loch Alainn/Lochaline, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire] beginning Is math a gha'as mi mo rann, A teurna leis a ghleann'. The custom in which the verses are repeated three times, while the cloth is being worked by women is described. There is an additional note explaining the reference to deer, salmon and herring within the prayer, that both fish have bones 'like...

Scope and Contents Song collected from Duncan Cameron, police officer, Tobar Mhoire/Tobermory, Muile/Isle of Mull, entitled 'Coisgrigeadh an Aodaich' [Consecration of the Cloth]. The song begins 'S math gha'ainsa mo rann, A teuma le gleann' and is composed of lines. The accompanying note describes the work done while the song is sung, 'The web is made into a roll. All the women work at the roll patting it and the rann is said three times over. Then at the end the roll is tossed end over and say A a aodach seo...

Scope and Contents

Story about 'Do[mh]n[al]l a Ghleidhidh' the seer, telling how he did not take off his 'cota mor' [còta mòr or greatcoat] for seven years and the day he did he made a prediction which came true. The nature of the prediction is unclear owing to the illegibility of the handwriting.

Scope and Contents

Story about two female ghosts, the first being Maidean a Chaisteil [Maighdean a' Chaisteil or Maid of the Castle] who lived in Chaisteil Chaifein [Caisteal Chaifeann/Castle Coeffin, Lios Mòr/Lismore, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire] and 'wore a green dress & walked about'. The other ghost haunted Dun alla [probably Dùn Ollaidh/Dunolllie] and she would 'Roll down mulachagun [mulachagan or cheeses] upon the servant when they displ[eased] her.' This ghost was a 'Nic-I-achain'.

Scope and Contents Story about Mrs Alexander MacPherson, daughter of the baillie of [Fearnoch, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire], who because she was poor had to marry MacPherson, a 'well to do resp[ectable] farmer'. Shortly after they were married she dressed for church in a silk gown and he was in a 'deise chlo and kilt'. She asked if he was ready but he groaned and lay down. On asking what was the matter he said that their dress materials were not alike so she changed into a 'plain homespun dress' and 'no eye...