Skip to main content

Account of a fishing trip around Mingulay with accompanying place-name notes, descriptions and stories, 23 May 1869

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW150/31

Scope and Contents

Account by Alexander Carmichael of a fishing trip around Miulay [Miùghlaigh/Mingulay] with accompanying place-name notes, descriptions and stories. Carmichael notes geographical features such as high points, caves, rocks or arches; archaeological sites such as dùns or graveyards; places people have used for looking after livestock or catching birds and fish, noting breeding grounds or habits of some birds; and sea-faring items such as the conditions of the sea or navigation techniques. One story tells how the people had hidden sheep on a ledge called Fala-mhuilt from Colonel MacNeil of Barra who had been taking away cattle to pay off his own debts, even although the people were not in debt to him. All the sheep were washed away and drowned. Another story tells of Am Blai-Lin where a man slept in order to test his wife's love for him. 'She came & found him fast asleep on a ledge where had he moved woul[d] tumble sever[al] hund[red] feet to the sea.' A third story states that Leac Shleibhte [Leac Shleite] was where the body of a woman from Sleat [An t-Eilean Sgitheanach/Isle of Skye] was found with her seaweed-cutting hook in her belt. Her body was buried near the top of the glen. A vocabulary notes reads 'G-ol [gabhail] na greine, sunning yourself'. A small diagram has been draw beside the notes on Giursay bheag [Gursaigh Bheag] The text has been scored through in ink as if transcribed elsewhere.

Dates

  • Creation: 23 May 1869

Language of Materials

Gaelic English

Conditions Governing Access

This material is unrestricted.

Extent

From the Series: 64 folios ; 17 x 20.3 cm

Physical Location

5.07

Physical Location

folio 19r, line 3 to folio 20r, line 12

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