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', 28 March 1871
Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW7/15
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 attempts no one is able to bring her back home until her lover goes looking for her. He finds her but instead of running away from him, she sings the song and then dies in his arms. The story varies as to whether or not he carries her home and he then dies of exhaustion or if he leaves her to get assistance but dies of exhaustion when he gets home. Carmichael notes 'Duncan Macdonald, an interesting, intelligent old man, says that this story is true and that the thing really happened much as he has narrated it.' He also notes 'There are various versions of this story, located in various places.' There are additions to the text in pencil and in ink. A note on folio indicates that the story has been transcribed elsewhere.
Dates
- 28 March 1871
Language of Materials
Gaelic,English
Conditions Governing Access
This material is unrestricted.
Extent
From the Series: 39 folios ; 26.3 x 22.1 cm
Physical Location
5.07
Physical Location
folio 21v, line 1 to folio 24r, line 19
Bibliography
Carmichael, Alexander, Carmina Gadelica, vol. IV (Edinburgh, 1941), pp. 328-337.
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
Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk