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Story about the sons of the Duke of Argyll and MacLeod of MacLeods eldest sons, 10 July 1870

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW116/50

Scope and Contents

Story collected on Tarasaigh/Taransay about the sons of the Duke of Argyll's and MacLeod of MacLeod's eldest sons. The story tells how the two sons were together at the Royal High School Edinburgh [Dùn Èideann] or Edinburgh University and the Duke's son was being bullied by a sizable 'gille galda' [gille Gallda or Lowlander]. MacLeod's son stepped in to help the Duke's son but between the two of them they beat the gille Gallda so badly that he died from his injuries. The two fled to Dunvegan [Dùn Bheagain, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach] and then to Harris [Na Hearadh/Isle of Harris] where MacLeod offered Argyll's son John Campbell any place he liked in Harris as he was too afraid to return to his father. The story notes that 'young Campbell and his suc[cessors] mar[ried] with the best families in the isles - always took their wives from Skye or at all events not fr[om] Harris. This was some[time] ab[ou]t the year 1600.' Carmichael also notes that Campbell had 'the stone at Scalpa' and queries its connection with 'its letters R.C. and 1601', which was found at Lochsiphort [Loch Shìophoirt/Loch Seaforth] when the quay for the lighthouse at Scalpaigh/Scalpay was being built.

Dates

  • Creation: 10 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