Song beginning 'Nam bi sa am Beal an sgail' and accompanying story, 18 January 1871
Scope and Contents
Song probably collected from Ruari Saor [Roderick MacDonald] beginning 'Nam bi sa am Beal[ach] an sgail, Far na thuit an damh donn' and accompanying story stating that the song was sung by bean Ghilleaspa dhui nian mhic ic Ailein [bean Ghilleasbuig Dhuibh, nighean Mhic 'ic Ailein]. It was said that Gilleasbuig Dubh had no family but killed one brother in Paible [Paibeil, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] and then went to see his other brother Mac Onail in Duntuilm [Dùn Thuilm/Duntulm, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach/Isle of Skye]. Mac Onail asked after their brother and Gilleasbuig Dubh said that he was well and building a new house, whereupon Mac Onail offered to show Gilleasbuig the boat he was building to visit them in Uibhist/Uist. Gilleasbuig pointed out a flaw in the boat to Mac Onail and as Mac Onail bent down to inspect it Gilleasbuig Dubh killed him with an axe. Ruaraidh says he remembers when Gilleasbuig Dubh's house at Solas/Sollas was pulled down with ropes.
Dates
- Creation: 18 January 1871
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 56r, line 9 to folio 56v, line 2
Subject
- MacDonald, Archibald, -c1520 (Gilleasbuig Dubh | chief of Macdonald of Sleat) (Person)
- Mac Onail, Uisdean (Person)
- MacDonald (of Sleat) (Family)
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
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
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Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk