Story about a seal in the form of a woman and accompanying song, c1875
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
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
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
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Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
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