Scope and Contents

Charm beginning 'Buainidh mis an Dearg-chreasachan' [An Dearg-Chasachan or The Red-Stalk] collected from Isebeil Siosal [Isabel Chisholm], tinker of no fixed abode at Lochmaddy [Loch nam Madadh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist].

Scope and Contents

Charm entitled 'Chloimh Chat - Eolas Nan Caorach' [The Catkin Wool] collected from Isebeil Siosal [Isabel Chisholm], tinker of no fixed abode at Lochmaddy [Loch nam Madadh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] beginning 'Buainidh mis a Chloimh Char, Mar a bhuain Mathair Chriosda romh glaic'. Carmichael notes that Isabel is 'of confused mind & memory'. A note reads 'See p[age] 57'.

Scope and Contents

Notes by Alexander Carmichael in which he compares the suitability of Creagorry versus Lochmaddy for a customs office, considering factors such as Position, Bank, Post Office, Population, Steamers, and Ports.

Scope and Contents Poem entitled 'Aoir Nan Rodan' and accompanying story collected from Mr Kenneth MacLean, merchant, Lochmaddy [Loch nam Madadh, Uibhist a Tuath] beginning 'Aonais nan robh oirnne fregair'. The story tells how John MacLean [Iain mac Eachain], innkeeper, Lochmaddy sent for Donll Mac Eoin [Donald MacLean], Carnaish [Cairinis/Carinish] and another bard Aonas [Angus] to get rid of his rats 'which were like to destroy every thing'. The bards requested a drink first ['giarachadh teanga'] but were...

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Ian Bùchain' noted as being collected from Captain Malcolm MacLeod, Lochmaddy [Loch nam Madadh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] and others beginning 'Na h-eoin bhùchain thig o'n bhòchain, Dh'eubhas gu binn, Bhòchain bhuth'. The song, transcribed in ink, is followed by an incomplete note in pencil which states that 'Bùchain' is the old name for May and therefore An t-Ian Bhùchain is the Mayfowl. In the margin, in a different ink, a note reads 'The Ian Bochain comes in spring ans...

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Laoi an Deirg ic Dreathain' [Duan an Deirg] collected from Iain MacInnes [John MacInnes], Eirisga [Eiriosgaigh/Eriskay] who in turn learned it from Ruaraidh Mac Iosaig [Roderick MacIssac, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula 'bho choinn fhad an t-saoghail' [a long time ago]. The song begins 'Innseam sgeul air Caiream an fhir mhoir, A thainig o'n ear le dochas buai'. Carmichael notes 'The reciter repeated this most correctly all through except one quatrain. After having written the lay...

Scope and Contents Story about a great northern diver collected from Kenneth MacLean, merchant, Lochmaddy [Loch nam Madadh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] describing the one occasion on which he saw a great northern diver on the wing at Fladda, Lochmaddy [Flodaigh/Flodday] 'The wings went rapidly and the bird seemed to exert himself greatly'. That the bird might have been a black throated diver and not a great northern diver is put forward. Carmichael notes that he and his children saw a great northern diver...

Scope and Contents

Story about Blar nan cuigeal [Blàr nan Cuigeal] which was fought by North Uist women with their distaffs near Lochmaddy [Loch nam Madadh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist]. The fight was led by Mor Donullach [Marion MacDonald] at Clachan Shannda [Sannda/Clachan Sanda] and [at] Fooghail na Comaraich [Faoghal na Comraich] and Sìg-nan-cuaran [possibly Eilean na Sìge-Cama].

Scope and Contents Story collected from Alexander MacDonald, Cladach Chirceboist/Claddach Kirkibost, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist about how kelp-making came to North Uist. The story tells how when Am Moraire Ban [Am Morair Bàn] came to North Uist he brought his wife, three children and factor, called Kingsburgh, and they lived at Sollas [Solas]. They met a crofter at Bailemhartain whose animals were emaciated whereupon Kingsburgh told the man that Lady MacDonald had come among the Uist tentantry for assistance...

Scope and Contents Story entitled 'Mor Hiorteach (More correctly) Mor Iorteach' [Mor Hiortach] and accompanying song noted as being collected from Mrs Captain MacLeod [Ann MacLeod], Lochmaddy [Loch nam Madadh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] on 26 February 1869 and from others. The story describes how Mor was a very beautiful woman, unusually tall for a St Kildan with a beautfiul singing voice. She married Norman MacDonald 'Tormaid Saor', an t-òr-cheard [travelling goldsmith] and carpenter, Trumpan, Vaternish,...