University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Scope and Contents

Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing an essay entitled 'Bards and Bardism of the Highlands'; some notes on archaeology in Barra [Barraigh], Vatersay [Bhatarsaigh] and Sandray [Sanndraigh]; Fenian songs and poems; songs and poems relating to the MacDonalds; and a story entitled 'Prince Charlie's Pipe' mostly collected from South Uist [Uibhist a Deas] and Benbecula [Beinn na Faoghla].

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Dhuisg Mo Leannan Mi' and accompanying story entitled 'Sorcha An Or-fhuilt A Chaidh Fiadhan Eir Na Feidh' or 'Clara of the Golden Hair That Went Wild With the Deer' collected from Duncan MacDonald, age 86, crofter, Snaisebhal, South Uist [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas]. The story tells of two young lovers on South Uist who are forbidden to marry. The young woman goes mad, runs away from home and is discovered living naked with deer on Ben More [Beinn Mhòr]. Despite many...

Scope and Contents

Song entitled 'Laoi Chriosd' beginning 'S mor mo smaoint ad ainm/clos' collected from Donald MacDonald, age 6, Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist. Text has been scored through and over it is written 'Transcribed into Book No III p109 A[lexander] A[rchibald] C[armichael]'.

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Laoi Dhiairmaid' probably collected from Duncan MacDonald, [Donnachadh Mac an Tàillear], from Snaosveall [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist], which Duncan had heard from his father. The song is a conversation between Diarmaid and Grainne, in which Grainne tries to persuade Diarmaid not to go off to battle. Carmichael notes 'Reciter a smart little man sor[e]ly inflicted with rhumatism. Has a clear blue eye & an intelligent face'. Text has been scored through...

Scope and Contents

Song entitled 'Laoi Fhraoich' beginning 'Osna caraid an cluain Fraoch' collected from Donald MacDonald, age 6, Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist. Text has been scored through and over it is written 'Book II page Trans[cribed] 7 May 1869 A[lexander] A[rchibald] C[armichael]'.

Scope and Contents

Song entitled 'Mararan do Thirmaid mac mhic ic Aileain' [Marbhrann do Thormaid]', beginning 'Fhuaras neac an dè', collected from Donald MacDonald, age 6, Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist. Tormod, for whom the lament was written, was a young nobleman who died of yellow fever while in France. Text has been scored through as if to indicate it has been transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents

Song entitled 'Seathan Mac Ri Builbh' [Seathan Mac Rìgh Beirbh or John, Son of the King of Bergen] beginning 'Lorg an ogain seach an t-ath' collected from Duncan MacDonald [Donnachadh Mac an Tàillear] from Snaosveall [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]. Text has been scored through as if the text has been transcribed elsewhere.

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Tàladh Iain Mhuideartaich' collected from Donul Donullach [Donald MacDonald] Snaoisveall [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] age 6, who was able to recite several other songs correctly, including, 'Tormaid Mac mhic ic Ailean', 'Bhean leasaich an stop', 'Laoi na Buileartaich', 'Laoi Fhraoich' and 'Dun Mhic Iain ic Iain'. The song is in praise of John of Moidart and Clan Ranald. Carmichael notes that Donald heard the song from his grandfather and gives the boy's...

Scope and Contents

Story collected from Duncan MacDonald, Donnachadh Mac an Taillear [Donnachadh Mac an Tàillear], from Snaosveall [Sniseabhal/Snishival, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist], which Duncan had heard from his father, who died over 40 years before [c.1829] aged about 80 years. The story is about a rescue by Cuchulainn.