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Two stories relating to the hangings in Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist and accompanying etymological note, 5 August 1870

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW116/106

Scope and Contents

Two stories relating to the hangings in Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist and accompanying etymological note probably collected from an unnamed 'Orinsay woman' [Orasaigh/Oronsay] who Carmichael had met. The woman told him that that the name of 'La-le-an-tsamhrai' [Latha leth an t-samhraidh] had been changed to 'Laiilleain' [Latha 'Illeathain] because a MacLean had been hanged on that day. The story tells how a MacLean man had been entrusted with a poor woman's only cow for grazing but when her sons when to retrieve the cow they found MacLean skinning it. MacLean ran after the frightened boys, caught one and killed him burying him there on the strand. The other got away and encountered a 'gentleman' who persuaded the boy to take him back to his brother's grave where 'they found the still warm body of the poor mur[dered] boy. They then went to MacLean's house where he was still butchering but was caught. Mac Onail announced that MacLean was to be executed at Creag Hastain [Craig Hasten] and ordered all his North Uist tenants to be there. All were there bar the wife of one tenant from Caolas Bhearnaray [Caolas Bheàrnaraigh/Sound of Berneray] but Mac Onail insisted that he be present and was sent for and the execution took place the following day. None of the tenants would allow MacLean's body to be buried so he was thrown into a cleft of rock called Sgór lamhaig [Sgor Lamhaig]. The second story tells how while two men were quarrelling one man cast up that his grandfather had been hanged at Creag Hastainn. The other man brought the matter to a court before Donl Beag Bailraoil [Dòmhnall Beag Baile Raghnaill] who told the man that 'he had a cheek to come to him for a ceart in such a not[orious] matter where if he had gone to Sgor lamhaig he would still find his grandfa[ther's] bones there.'

Dates

  • 5 August 1870

Language of Materials

Gaelic English

Conditions Governing Access

This material is unrestricted.

Extent

From the Series: 64 folios ; 19.5 x 23 cm

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