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Account of a trip to St Kilda, 22 May 1865

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW113/17

Scope and Contents

An account by Alexander Carmichael of his trip to St Kilda [Hiorta] in May 1865. He describes the crossing which lasted from 04:30 until 12:00, the weather and the sights and then describes the physical and temperamental characteristics of the islanders. 'Cameron the missionary oldish and common looking. St Kildeans good looking s[t]out fellows with pale complexions. Women good looking and ruddy complexions...Beautiful white teeth...Enunciation peculiar and lisping. People seem to be spoiled not polite.' He describes purchases and how he 'Kissed a St Kilda lassie' just so that he could say he had done it. He 'Saw men going in rocks. Fearful sights' and says that the men 'Took out two fulmars and some eggs. Birds vomitting oil - painful sights'.

Dates

  • Creation: 22 May 1865

Language of Materials

English

Conditions Governing Access

This material is unrestricted.

Extent

From the Series: 86 folios ; 20.3 x 16.5 cm

Physical Location

5.07

Physical Location

folio 55r, line 1 to folio 55v, line 11

Bibliography

http://carmichaelwatson.blogspot.com/2009/10/st-kilda.html
Robson, Michael St Kilda: Church, Visitors and 'Natives', (Ness, 2006), pp. 441-42.
Stiùbhart, Domhnall Uilleam, ‘Alasdair MacGilleMhìcheil: Fear-Cruinneachaidh Òran ri linn nan 1860an’, Foinn agus Focail: Léachtaí Cholm Cille XL (Maynooth, 2010), pp. 118-19.

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

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