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Copy of 'Poems of Ossian', collected by Rev. Dr John MacDonald in Strathnaver, Ross and Invernessshire

 Collection
Identifier: Coll-2953

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Loosely gathered bundle of poetry in Gaelic and English. Title on outer leaf reads:

"Poems of Ossian, collected by Jo McDonald - in the Western Parishes of Strathnaver, Ross, & Invernessshire - in Sept[embe]r & Oct[obe]r 1805-"

All bar one of the poems are preceded by an "argument" [introduction] in English. The poems themselves are in Gaelic.

Items within the volume include:

  1. Cath or Battle of Ben Edin, in two parts. Given by Alexander McRae, North Erradale, Parish of Gairloch. Aged 80. First line of poem reads: "La dhuinn air Tulach soir..."
  2. Dan na Nighean. Given by Captain John McDonald, Thurso, and Alexander McRae, North Erradale, Parish of Gairloch. Aged 80. First line of poem reads: "Ossian uasil Mhic Fhinn..."
  3. The Fall of Roya, or King of Sora's Son. Given by Captain John McDonald, Thurso. First line of poem reads: "La do Fhionn ar bheagan sloigh..."
  4. Description of Cuchullin's Horses. Given by Captain John McDonald, Thurso. First line of poem reads: "Dheibht an' toiseach na Carbaid..."
  5. Dibir Dlighe, or the Battle of Lora. Given by George Mackay, Dalvighouse, Parish of Farr, aged 55; John Mackay, Knochbreac, Parish of Duirness, aged 50; and Donald Mackenzie, Duartbeg, Parish of Eddrachilles, aged 61. First line of poem reads: "La do Phadric san Tuir..."
  6. Conn Mac 'n Deirg, Al Leirg-. Given by George Mackay, Dalvighouse, Parish of Farr, aged 55; John Mackay, Knochbreac, Parish of Duirness, aged 50; John Mackenzie, Duartbeg, Parish of Eddrachilles; and Alexander McRae, North Erradale, Parish of Gairloch. Aged 80. First line of poem reads: "Innis duinn Ossian narich..."
  7. 'N Teilgirnach Mor, or Eitridh Mhaonais-. Given by Alexander Mackay, Ribbigil, Parish of Tongue, aged 63. First line of poem reads: "A Chlerich dhan na salm..."
  8. Duan Dhiarag-. Given by Alexander Mackay, Ribbigil, Parish of Tongue, aged 63; John Mackay, Knochbreac, Parish of Duirness, aged 50; and John Mackenzie, Duartbeg, Parish of Eddrachilles. First line of poem reads: "Sgeul th'agam air Fionn fior-ghlic"
  9. Iomachd Naodhnar. (The exploit of 9)-. Given by Alexander Mackay, Ribbigil, Parish of Tongue, aged 63. First line of poem reads: "Och a shithean sin 's a thulaich..."

Dates

  • Creation: September - October 1805

Creator

Language of Materials

English and Gaelic

Conditions Governing Access

Open. Please contact the repository in advance.

Biographical / Historical

Sir John Sinclair (then Licentiate of the Presbytery and Member of the British Parliament for Caithness) sent Reverend Dr John MacDonald to the North-West of Scotland from for several months in 1805, shortly after MacDonald was ordained. The purpose of his travels were to collect Ossianic poetry and traditions, and to gather evidence of its provenance. Sinclair published Dissertation on the Authenticity of the Poems of Ossian in 1806

Full Extent

1 folder

Additional Description

Physical Location

Gen. 1835

Previous reference

Previously part of the University of Edinburgh Alexander Cameron collection, shelfmark: C.R.9.3.6

Related Materials

Understood to be a later copy of Manuscript of Ossianic verse collected in 1805 by the Reverend Dr John MacDonald of Ferintosh. (National Library of Scotland, Adv.MS.73.2.18). [external link, accessed on 20/07/2026]

John MacDonald’s collection of poetry is part printed in John Francis Campbell’s, ‘Leabhar na Feine’ (London, 1872). It is printed complete in ‘Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness’, volume 13 (Inverness, 1886-1887), page 269, from transcript by the Reverend Dr Alexander Cameron; his introduction appears separately at ‘Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness’, volume 15 (Inverness, 1888-1889), page 139.

Physical Description

Fragile gathering of lined papers, unsewn. 52 numbered pages and several blank leaves at the rear.

Processing Information

Catalogued by Elin Crotty in July 2026

Related Names

Subjects

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository

https://library.ed.ac.uk/heritage-collections
Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379