Song entitled 'Ailean Duinn' and accompanying story, 9 July 1870
Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW116/44
Scope and Contents
Song entitled 'Ailean Duinn' [Ailein Duinn] collected from Roderica MacDonald, Tarasaigh/Taransay beginning 'Meud nan siantan us fuac[hd] na gaillein, Dh fhuad[aich] sin na fir on challa'. The song is composed of forty three lines. The accompanying story tells of how Ann Campbell, the composer of the song came to be buried at sea, owing to the tradition that if while at sea a mermaid was seen, the only was to get rid of it was to throw something into the water. The mermaid present on this occasion did not leave until the coffin had been thrown into the sea. The story also tells how Captain Campbell of Strannd's vessel was caught in a storm and he suggested that it be lightened by throwing out the old men whereas Ann Campbell's brother suggested throwing the corpse overboard not living men. This was done but the seas were so mountainous the coffin nearly came aboard again but they managed to keep it out. The vessel was driven to Loch Sniosabhort where the crew were able to find shelter for a week while everyone else thought they were lost. They are noted as having composed many beautiful songs in that time and eventually managed to get to Rodail/Rodel and raise the alarm. The text has been scored through in ink with a transverse note which reads 'Transcribed to No III Book page 126'. Also written transversely over the text in pencil is 'From Miss Roderica MacDonald Taransay who sung this beautiful lament very prettily Saturday 9th July 1871' [1870].
Dates
- 9 July 1870
Language of Materials
Gaelic English
Conditions Governing Access
This material is unrestricted.
Extent
From the Series: 64 folios ; 19.5 x 23 cm
Physical Location
5.07
Physical Location
folio 11r, line 8 to folio 12v, line 16
- Campbell, Ann (nian Dhonil ic Iain Oig | composer of the song 'Ailean Duinn')
- Campbell, Kenneth, Captain (of Uidh | Taransay | and Rodel | Isle of Harris)
- Customs
- Death
- Drowning
- Isle of Harris Inverness-shire Scotland
- Laments
- Loch Sniosabhort [Inverness-shire] Scotland
- Loss (of people or things)
- Love
- MacDonald, Roderica, c1829-1914 (Taransay | Inverness-shire)
- Rodel Isle of Harris Inverness-shire Scotland
- Songs
- Srannda Isle of Harris Inverness-shire Scotland
- Taransay Harris Inverness-shire Scotland
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