Story entitled 'A Bhean Nighe' about a fairy washer-woman, 1891
Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW108/146
Scope and Contents
Story entitled 'A Bhean Nighe' about a washer-woman encountered at Lochan Dubh na Beinne by Iain Bàn Tàillear. He seizes her by her left hand and demands wealth which she grants but asks why he did not ask for children his response to which is to ask for them too but she says no and that he will never have an heir. Everything happens as the washer-woman predicted. He asks what she is washing and she tells him that she is washing the shirts of people who will drown this year in North Tolsta [Tolstadh Bho Thuath, Eilean Leòdhais /Isle of Lewis]. That year a fishing crew died coming back from Wick [Inbhir Ù ige, Gallaibh/Caithness]. A man met the washer-woman again and asked who saw whom first and he said he saw her first. She said it was as well for him but if he came back the next day she would wash clothes for him but he refused.
Dates
- 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 40r, line 10 to folio 41r, line 7
Bibliography
MacPhail, Malcolm, 'Folkore from the Hebrides, IV', Folklore, vol. 9, no. 1 (898), pp. 91-9
- Caithness Scotland
- Fairies
- Family
- Isle of Lewis Ross and Cromarty Scotland
- Lochan Dubh na Beinne Isle of Lewis Ross and Cromarty Scotland
- MacPhail, Malcolm, Rev, 1837-1906 (minister | Kilmartin | Argyllshire)
- Prophecy
- Surname-Unknown (Isle of Lewis)
- Tales
- Tolstadh Bho Thuath Isle of Lewis Ross and Cromarty Scotland
- Wick Caithness Scotland
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
is-crc@ed.ac.uk
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
is-crc@ed.ac.uk