Story entitled 'A Mhaighdean Mhara' about a mermaid in Shawbost, 1891
Scope and Contents
Story entitled 'A Mhaighdean Mhara' about a mermaid who followed sea-cattle ashore at Siabost [Shawbost, Eilean Leòdhais /Isle of Lewis]. It was customary for them to sprinkle urine between the sea-cattle and the shore, to stop them from returning to the sea. The sea-cattle were taken to a farm nearby and the mermaid followed. On observing the woman of the farm cleanning fish she said, 'Nigh[e] is glan gu math an t-iasg, Is ioma biasd a tha 's a mhuir', [Wash and clean well the fish, there is many a monster in the sea] which became a proverb in Siabost. One day the mermaid noticed that they had forgotten to sprinkle urine and she ran to the sea calling the names of the sea-cattle who followed her. The men saw this and chased them but only caught the last sea-cow by the tail and then it got away. The mermaid then remarked that if the men had had porridge for breakfast none of the sea-cattle woud have got away. Legend states that this is when people in Shawbost started eating porridge.
Dates
- Creation: 1891
Language of Materials
Gaelic
Conditions Governing Access
This material is unrestricted.
Extent
From the Series: 62 folios ; 23.5 x 19.5 cm
Physical Location
5.07
Physical Location
folio 38v, line 1 to folio 39v, line 11
Bibliography
Subject
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
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