Archaeological notes on Loch Sgadavagh Isle and accompanying sketch, c1869
Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW150/69
Scope and Contents
Archaeological notes on Loch Sgadavagh Isle [Loch Sgadabhagh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] including a sketch plan of the ruins there with their dimensions, noting that there is a place for the boat at the door an destimating the age [of ruins] to be two or three hundred years old. Carmichael states that the loch is named after the island of Scadabhagh which is 'low, green & flat' and notes that thick heather or eilteach grows there. He adds that there is a pillar about five feet high at Eilean-du-mor [Eilean Dubh Mòr] where the late Lord MacDonald killed his first stag and in celebration a gallon of whisky was drunk. Airi na gaoithe and Airi nan seilicheag [Airigh na Gaoithe and Airigh nan Seilicheag] are described as like an egg in shape and about fifty by twenty yards in size. 'All round this soli[d] stone shore plac[ed] in order by man'. A cromleac [cromlech] is described as comprising of a circle of rude stones and a large stone in the centre. On one of the stones in the circle is a 'natural St Andrews cross the full length of the stone - a vein of hard trapped [-]'. Lying around are other larger and smaller stones and other smaller cromlechs. Also noted is a 'Recess[ed] room for a man under a stone lying on top of other at the back of the flag cont[ainin]g the cross'. The dimensions of other stones and crosses are given and Carmichael observes that the foundations are still traceable on the top side, while on the south side are a number of airidhean or folds.
Dates
- c1869
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 46r, line 1 to folio 46v, line 11
- Airigh na Gaoithe North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Airigh nan Seilicheag North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Archaeology
- Cromlechs
- Exports
- Geography
- Loch Sgadabhagh North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- MacDonald (of Sleat)
- North Uist (parish) Inverness-shire Scotland
- North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Placenames
- Plants
- Standing stones
- Stones
- Tales
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 Edinburgh University Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
is-crc@ed.ac.uk
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
is-crc@ed.ac.uk