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Custom of horse racing, gathering carrots and celebrations on the Isle of Barra on saints days, 25 September 1872

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW90/109

Scope and Contents

Custom of horse racing, gathering carrots and celebrations on the Isle of Barra [Barraigh] on saints days including that on La Fheill Barra [St Barr's Day] and St Michael's Day [La Fheill Mìcheil] men would race horses three times round the cemetery at Cille Bharra and at Borve [Borgh] respectively. The man would always have a woman sitting behind him. Also, after mass on the Sunday, girls would dig up wild carrots and collect them in the pockets of a while plaid with red stripes. The cloth used for their new dresses would be fine enough to draw it through a finger ring. After gathering carrots, they would have a party.

Dates

  • Creation: 25 September 1872

Language of Materials

Gaelic,English

Conditions Governing Access

This material is unrestricted.

Extent

From the Series: 72 folios ; 12.7 x 20 cm

Physical Location

5.07

Physical Location

folio 43r, line 20 to folio 43v, line 14

Bibliography

Carmichael, Alexander, Carmina Gadelica, vol. III (Edinburgh, 1940), pp. 140-143
Martin, Martin A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland circa 1695 (Edinburgh, 1994), pp. 163-164

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