Story and traditions about seals under the heading 'Roin', c1875
Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW112/28
Scope and Contents
Story and traditions about seals under the heading 'Roin' collected from Major James A Macrae of Valley and Griminish, North Uist [Bhàlaigh/Vallay Griminis, Uibhist a Tuath]. The story tells how Odar was a Viking warrior who raided the west coast after the Norsemen had been expelled by MacDonald, Lord of the Isles. MacDonald put up a reward for whoever brought him Odar's head, dead or alive. Mac Uistean [Mac Uisdean] captured Odar at Caisteal Odar and decapitated him and took MacDonald Odar's head. He and his posterity were rewarded with the seals of Haisgeir [Theisgeir/Heisker/Monach Isles], which were prized both as food and oil. Odar's head was buried at Earann Mholach, Peighinn Mhor, Griminnish [Peighinn Mhòr, Griminis/Griminish]. The story then describes how each seal was portioned amongst boatmen and people in Griminish, Killepheadair [Cille Pheadair/Kilpheder] and Scolpaig, and how different seals were given to the minister of Cille Mhoire [Kilmuir] 'to offer up in sacrifice to the "gods"', the blacksmith and the people of Bororey [Boraraigh/Boreray]. Macrae described how some of the Heisker seals are up to twelve feet long and how young seals have a cry like a child and beautiful eyes.
Dates
- c1875
Language of Materials
English Gaelic
Conditions Governing Access
This material is unrestricted.
Extent
From the Series: 183 folios ; 20 x 23.8cm
Physical Location
5.07
Physical Location
folio 96r, line 1 to folio 97r, line 16
- Beheading
- Cille Pheadair North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Customs
- Earann Mholach North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Griminish North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Kilmuir North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- MacDonald, Lord of the Isles
- MacDonald, Lord of the Isles ( gave Griminish in North Uist to MacUistean)
- MacDonald, Mac Uisdean (proprietor or factor | Griminis | North Uist)
- Murder
- North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Odar (Lochlannach | Viking warrior | beheaded in North Uist)
- Prizes
- Scolpaig North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Seals (Animals)
- Tales
- Vallay North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Vikings
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