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Story about a seal in the form of a woman and accompanying song, c1875

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW112/39

Scope and Contents

Story about a seal in the form of a woman which tells how a number of seals were caught on Taisgeir [Eilean Hasgeir/Haskeir Island] and a woman in Paible [Paibeil, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] was boiling the seal's bones when another woman came in. The first woman did not recognise her but offered her a seat but she stood staring at the pot. All of a sudden she started singing a song beginning 'Smeirig s an tir s smeirig san tir is, (Far) n ichear na daoine a rioc a bhidh'. After this she left and was never seen again. She was believed to be a seal-woman. The song is composed of four lines.

Dates

  • Creation: 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 102v, line 11 to folio 103r, line 15

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