Scope and Contents

Fenian story collected from Alexander Urquhart, manager to Alexander MacRae, known as Fear Huisnis, probably at Abhainnsuidhe, Harris [Huisnis/Huishnish, Na Hearadh]. The story includes an aside about a type of pine candle once used throughout the Highlands and remembered by the reciter.

Scope and Contents Notes on a mill at Loch a chrombaich Farm [Loch Cromlach Farm, Tarasaigh/Taransay] describing how it is 'one of the old Big mills still working' unlike another one 'at Ceann-an Ol at junction of the Avonsui & Storno[wa]y road' [Ceann an Ora and Abhainnsuidhe, Na Hearadh/Isle of Harris and Steòrnabhagh, Eilean Leòdhais/Isle of Lewis] which has not been working 'since 10 or 16 y[ea]rs' [c1854-1860]. Carmichael gives a detailed description of the mill including dimensions, construction,...

Scope and Contents Story about how John Campbell got his lands in Harris [Na Hearadh]. In the story Campbell stepped in for MacLeod of Dunvegan's son in a duel and killed the opponent. They and MacLeod of Dunvegan rewarded Campbell for his bravery by giving him the lands of Huishinish, Leosavagh, Bunavinsui, Cliasamal and Miavag [Huisinis, Leòsabhal, Bun Abhainn Suidhe, Cliasmol and Miabhaig, all Na Hearadh/Isle of Harris]. MacLeod also made the condition that Campbell should marry, which he did and had five...

Scope and Contents Story about Mr Finlay [Rev Finlay MacRae], Vallay [Bhàlaigh, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist] probably collected from Margaret MacDonald, Malacleit/Malaclete, telling how he harangued the new Free Church minister of Harris [Na Hearadh/Isle of Harris] shortly after the Disruption declaring that he was the rightful minister and that 'if the people did not return to the church & disown the F[ree] C[hurch] they would fall up there & crush them like midges'. The story continues that MacRae...

Scope and Contents Story entitled 'Sgeul Chois O Cèin' [The Healing of Keyn's Foot] collected from Calum MacRath [Malcolm MacRae], shepherd, Abhuinn Suidhe [Abhainn Suidhe, Na Hearadh/Isle of Harris]. Two notes written transversely on folio 2r, the first in the same ink states where and when the story was told and by whom, while the second is written in blue ink and notes MacRae's death in 1866. Two notes on folio 10r state 'A man at Boisdale [Baghasdal, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] is said to have this tale'...