Scope and Contents Archaeological and historical notes on Caisteal Bhuiri [Caisteal Bhuirgh/Borve Castle, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula] and Clanranald. Among the notes it is stated that Raol mac Alein [Raghnall mac Ailein] was the last to inhabit Caisteal Bhuirgh and that he added the porch and extended the west side of it. The castle was originally built on a sgeir mhara and Biorlain mac ic Ailein [Clanranald's birlinn] was anchored 'in a poll' to the east side of it. After that, children used to swim there. In...

Scope and Contents Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael, noted as being 'Bought at St Columb, Cornwall, 30 Nov[ember] 1864 pr[ice] 2/3'. The back inside cover contains a note probably collected as part of excise duties which reads 'Rod[erick] MacPhie Mast of boat 21.8 [-] 1.2½ [-]'. The notebook contains one insertion. The majority of the notebook contains lore relating to Miùlaigh/Mingulay mostly collected from Roderick MacNeil, crofter, aged 88, known as Ruairidh an Rùma. Roderick MacNeil also...

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Poem entitled 'Earraghain Mor' collected from Doul mac an tShaoir [Donald MacIntyre, catechist, Àird/Aird, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula] beginning 'La[tha] do Phad[raig] na chuirt, Gun sailm na nigh'. A note written in different ink across the initial lines of text reads 'Trans[cribed] B[ook] II p[-] Nov[ember] 16 1869 A[lexander] A[rchibald] C[armichael].'

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Prophecy about Benbecula [Beinn na Faoghla] by Coinneach Odhar collected from Sorch[a] MacPherson, 'our excellent servant', 31 Raeburn Place [Dùn Èideann/Edinburgh]. The prophecy begins 'Aird nan ceann, Aird nan ceann, Is math liom fhein nach mi bhios ann'.

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Song entitled 'Dan Bas Chaoiril' collected from Doul mac An t Saoir [Donald MacIntyre, catechist, Àird/Aird, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula] beginning 'An Taigh Tea-ruith nan cruit chiuil, Bha sin gu mach is teach' and composed of twenty eight lines. MacIntyre states that he does not remember from whom he first heard the song 'but heard it when a boy say 60 years ago'. A note written transversely across the text written 'The same in possession before.'

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Song entitled 'Dan Mhic Righ Sorach' Doul mac Dhonil ic Thearlaich, Aird, Beinn na fadhla, [Donald MacIntyre, catechist, Àird/Aird, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula] at the priest's house in Aird Choinnich [Àird Choinnich/Ardkenneth, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] beginning 'Tha sgeul againn eir Fionn, Ga be chuir suim e' and composed of one hundred and ten lines. The text has been annotated in pencil.

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Dan Na h-Ighne' collected from Doul mac Dhonil ic Thearlaich, Aird, Beinn na fadhla, [Donald MacIntyre, catechist, Àird/Aird, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula] at the priest's house in Aird Choinnich [Àird Choinnich/Ardkenneth, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] beginning 'La dhan ro sinn uile an Fh[einn], Air sliabh Sheal-matha nan struth dian' and composed of thirty nine lines. The accompanying note is prefaced with the line 'The rest of this written' and describes how Fionn's law meant...

Scope and Contents Song entitled 'Laoi Nan Ceann' collected from Donul Mac an tShaoir [Donald MacIntyre, catechist, Àird/Aird, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula] at Aird Choinnich [Àird Choinnich/Ardkenneth, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]. The song is composed of sixty one lines and is preceded by a lengthy narrative. A note written transversely across some of the text reads 'Copy of this and of the "Lay" sent to the Rev Mr Clerk Killmallie Oct[ober] 11 1867.' Another note refers Carmichael to look at 'Torrac Na Taine'...

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Story telling how Father MacGregor, Iocar [Ìochdar, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] had been expounding biblical doctrines to his catechist Donald Macintire also known as Domhul Macdhomhuil ic Thearlaich [Dòmhnall mac Dhòmhnaill 'ic Theàrlaich or Donald MacIntyre] he picked up 'MacPherson's Gaelic Ossian' to read from it instead to which Donald remarked 'M'anamsa Dhia s e b annsa leinn!' ['Upon my soul, O God, but that were preferable to us!']

Scope and Contents Story entitled 'Torac na Taine' collected from Padruig Moirestean [Peter Morrison], crofter, Bailemhanaich, Beinn'a-Faola [Baile a' Mhanaich/Balivanich, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula] by Alexander Carmichael and written up by Robert Urquhart, preventive officer, who was a colleague of Carmichael's, on 17 and 18 April 1866. The story tells of the life of Cuchulain from the discovery of his strength and fighting prowess to his death at the hands of sorcerers. The incidents of the...