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Archaeological and natural history notes on Pabaigh/Pabbay, 1867

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW114/26

Scope and Contents

Archaeological and natural history notes on Pabaigh/Pabbay, describing a circle about a cave there called Cearcal Teinteanach [An Cearcall] where 'The coruscations of the sea flashing about the circle make it appear like sparks of fire flying from the circle.' A 'large cave' of 'unknown length' and 'most difficult to find' is described as being below this circle. Ashes were found in the cave. Carmichael records that he spoke to someone who knew where the cave was, who said that his 'very small terrier dog' had found it. Also noted is how 'No rat or mouse was ever seen in Pab[bay] till the pre[ventive] man went there. If a rat or mouse was bro[ugh]t to it it died imm[ediately] on touch[ing] its soil' and how 'no enemy would ever put foot on Pab[ba]y.' The story behind this is related as having been declared by a 'fairy accouch' [midwife] after delivering MacIvor's wife of a child, MacIvor being 'the man on Pab[bay] at the time.' A second-hand account of rats and mice coming out of mainland corn onto Pabbay, running about for a moment and then dropping down dead is also given. In addition, two duns are note, one on 'Ki'rum Isle, which was inhabited by 'Iover a bhotha mhaide', whose descendants still live in Bearn[ary] [Gèarum Mòr, Beàrnaraigh/Berneray] and one in Sanndray [Sanndraigh/Sandray] 'said by Mr Mure to be the most strange he had seen in these parts'.

Dates

  • Creation: 1867

Language of Materials

Gaelic English

Conditions Governing Access

This material is unrestricted.

Extent

From the Series: 88 folios ; 16.6 x 19.8 cm