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Story about Sìne nighean MhicLeòid, 20 January 1871

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW116/142

Scope and Contents

Story collected from Eachann Macleoid [Hector MacLeod], aged 85, at Caisteal Bhuiri, Lianacleit [Caisteal Bhuirgh/Borve Castle, Lionacleit/Linaclate, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula]. His patronymic is given as 'Each[ann] mac Dhonul ic 'Urchai ic Neil ic Coinnich ic Iain ic Ruari ic Thormaid ic Uilleam ic Thorcail ic Leoid Leothais'. Hector states that he is the same age as Clanranald and that his great grandfather Niall mac Leoid [Neil MacLeod] came with Sine ni[gh]ean mhic Leoid Leodhais [Eilean Leòdhais/Isle of Lewis]. Mac ic Ailein went to get Sìne but her father was unwilling to let her go. He returned home but returned and stole her instead. MacLeod of Lewis followed them an on arriving at Roisinis [Rossinish] found only their birlinn and burnt it. The clan heard about this and insisted that the two get married and a sagart-bùird called An t-Athair Calum [Father Calum], an Irish priest was sent for. Father Calum refused to marry them but he was told 'that he would get him as good if he were broken'. The priest said that he sought 'no pain to your souls but slioc[hd] mor eir bheagan gliocais'. Thestory continues that the only bad thing that Sìne ever did was to quarrel with the priest and send him away. She had fifteen children and 'the only wise per[son] was Miss Peggie who had part of Ormacleit' [Ormaclete, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]. Sìne was mother to Gordon, who is buried at Boisdal [Baghasdal] and Peggie and Ailein who are buried at Cladh Mhoire in Nunton [Baile nan Cailleach]. The story also notes how Clanranald 'had a fash[ion] of saying "Mach-ann"' and so they gave this nickname to 'Iain(?) mhic Raoil who left Borve Castle'.

Dates

  • Creation: 20 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 56v, line 8 to folio 57v, line 3

Related Materials

Coll-97/CW116/150 - also records the relationship of Sine MacLeod to Clanranald

Bibliography

MacDonald, Rev A. and MacDonald, Rev. A., (eds), The Genealogy of Clan Donald, Clan Donald, vol. III (Inverness, 1911), pp. 234-235

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

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