Archaeological notes on Kildonan and accompanying notes on Flora MacDonald and her husband, 24 May 1870
Scope and Contents
Archaeological notes on Kildonan [Cill Donnain, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]. The various sites relating to St Donain are described as Eilean Donain or Isle Donain, which is where the saint's house was, the house being '50 x 26 feet with several surrounding ruins' and the island itself being 70 yards long by 50 yards wide. Cladh Donain [Cille Dhonnain] is described as a peninsula separated from Eilean Donain by another island, the relative distances being noted, and containing a ruined chapel and altar. The font is described as being 'used as a crotag' in a herd's house at Milton [Àirigh Mhuilinn]. Eilean Donain is noted as being a 'small gre[e]n fertile isle field of nettles & vitarus Alba.' Kildonain [Cille Donnain/Kildonan] is described as a hamlet containing many ruins from which 'people were ousted' about forty years before [c1830]. About 20 tenants were said to have lived there and Flora MacDonald is recorded as having 'lived here [and] left her husband from jealousy'. The informant states that 'Alain Chisburgh [Allan MacDonald of Kingsburgh, Flora MacDonald's husband] came to Lochaoineart [Loch Aineort] and was so infirm with rheumatism & flesh & age that he had to be carried upon a cra-leaba to Bornish [Bornais] where he remained that night and proceeded next day to Flora's house.'
Dates
- Creation: 24 May 1870
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 55v, line 5 to folio 56r, line 5
- Archaeology
- Biography
- Bornish South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Cemeteries
- Church Buildings
- Cille Dhonnain (graveyard) South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Eilean Donnain South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Family History
- Geography
- Highland Clearances
- Houses
- Ill Health
- Kildonan South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Loch Aineort South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Milton South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Old age
- Plants
- Saints
- South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
- Tales
Subject
- Surname-Unknown, Saint, -617 (or Donan) (Person)
- MacDonald, Allan, Captain, c1720-1792 (of Kingsburgh | husband of Flora MacDonald) (Person)
- MacDonald, Flora, 1722-1790 (Jacobite) (Person)
- MacDonald (Milton | South Uist) (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
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