Transcription notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1865-1886
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 the material appears to have come from Uibhist/Uist, Barraigh/Barra and Na Hearadh/Isle of Harris. A large proportion of the contents were published in Carmina Gadelica, volumes I and II and editing work is evident in the transcriptions. The text on the flyleaf reads 'M.S. No 4. Alexander Archibald Carmichael Killeandraist Lismore 12th Nov[embe]r 1870 Transcribed at Trumsgearry N. Uist' [Cill Anndrais/Killandrist, Lios Mòr/Lismore and Trumaisgearraidh/Trumisgarry, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist].
Dates
- Creation: 1865-1886
Language of Materials
Gaelic,English
Conditions Governing Access
This material is unrestricted.
Extent
39 folios ; 26.3 x 22.1 cm
Physical Location
5.07
Existence and Location of Copies
Microfilm: Mic.Dup.1146/6
Subject
- Chisholm, Isabel, fl1869 (traveller | temporarily in North Uist) (Person)
- MacLellan, Duncan, c1816-1893 (Person)
- MacLean, Marion, 1843-1927 (Person)
- MacPherson, John, c1820-1885 (Iain Pearson | cottar | Kentangaval | Isle of Barra) (Person)
- Paton, John, 1787-1877 (Person)
- Smith, Peter [Patrick], c1796-1877 (Person)
- MacDonald (of Clanranald) (Family)
- MacNeil (of Barra) (Family)
Creator
- From the Fonds: Carmichael, Alexander, 1832-1912 (Excise officer | folklorist and antiquarian | Edinburgh | Scotland) (Person)
- From the Fonds: Watson, William John, 1865-1948 (Professor of Celtic) (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk