Scope and Contents

Notes on the wells Tobar Bhri'it [Bridgit], Sanntrai [Sanndraigh/Santray], Tobar Eachinn [Tobar Eachainn, Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay] and the graveyard Tota Chrissein at Cuir [Cuier/Cuidhir, Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay]. Tobar Eachainn is named after Eachin mac mhic ic Neil and noted as 'cover[ed] over with slats beyond Vatersay Ho[use]'. Tota Chrissein is noted as being used 'in Mr Alastair's time. He put his first child in it'.

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Notes on Watersay House [Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay] that it was built by Donald MacNeil of Watersay and that the last of the Watersays' was Eoiean [Eòghan] who is buried in Cladh Chriosd [Cladh Chrìosd] with five of his children. Also notes the situation of Taigh Pobuil at Borve [Borgh, Barraigh/Barra].

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Placename note entitled 'Na Duin' [Na Dùin or The Duns] listing fifteen duns on Beàrnaraigh/Berneray, Miùghlaigh/Mingulay, Pabaigh/Pabbay, Sanndraigh/Sandray, Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay and Barraigh/Isle of Barra.

Scope and Contents Sketch plan of Dun a Chaolais Bhatarsay [Dùn a' Chaolais, Bhataraisgh/Vatersay]. The sketch shows three concentric circles marked as ' Wall', 'Passage' and 'Wall', with their measurements noted. The circles are on a rounded oblong described as a 'Raised platform outside built of stones'. A compass is marked on teh sketch showing that the oblong runs north to south. A note written on what would be the west side of the dùn reads 'West Oscean (sic) not in sight - Rising hill between....

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Story about a La Fheill Padruig [St Patrick's Day] in which a man in Bailechaolas [Caolas, Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay] sees that the weather is bad and decides to observe La Fheill Padruig by not working. The following day is even worse and the house is buried in snow. The accompanying verse begins 'Dhia bean[naich] mi, Chuala Padruig Domh[null] dubh'. The text has been scored through.

Scope and Contents Story about Calum Cille [St Columba] and his travels around the islands of Scotland probably collected from James Campbell, fisherman, Ceanntangabhal/Kentangval, Barraigh/Isle of Barra. The story notes that the castle on Loch Tangasdail was built by St Clair [Dùn Mhic Leòid, Loch Tangasdale, Barraigh/Isle of Barra], that St Clair married a woman from Kintail [Ceann Tàile, Ros is Cromba/Ross and Cromarty] and that he had eight hundred men who fought for him, although none of the men were from...

Scope and Contents Story entitled 'Mac Righ Sorach' collected from Alasdair Mac Neil [Alexander MacNeil], Ceantangbhall [Ceanntangabhal/Kentagaval, Barraigh/Isle of Barra]. The story tells of how Mac Rìgh Sorach wanted to build [stepping stones?] between Maol-donach and Bhatarsa [Maol Dòmhnaich and Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay]. He and his servant each took a stone but he noticed that his servants was much bigger than his. Realising that his servant was much stronger than he was he stopped the work. The two stones can...

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Story entitled 'Starsach Meall Vat[ersay]', which tells how a father [presumably at Am Meall, Bhatarsaigh/Vatersay] sent his son to Maoldonaich [Maol Dòmhnaich] for leagan [leacan or large, flat stones] to put under a slab that was going to be made into a doorstep [starsach] and when he saw that the son's stone was larger than his he killed his son.

Scope and Contents Story relating to the shipwreck of the vessel 'Harmony', possibly collected from Roderick MacLellan, receiver of wrecks, Barraigh/Isle of Barra. The story is fragmented but appears to dispute an account put forward by Capt Grey [Captain Thomas Gray] about local people looting the wreck and opinions such as 'The inhabiti[ants] of Lewis like those of other islands immoral' [Eilean Leòdhais/Isle of Lewis]. A quote from 'Charles O' Malley, The Irish Dragoon' which precedes a tale about the wreck...