Scope and Contents

Fragment of a song entitled 'Ua'n Oir' [Uamh an Òir or Cave of Gold] probably collected from Mòr Cuiri [Marion Currie] Ìochdar, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist beginning 'Na mic uaca, S ioma[dh] maidean bharon bho'eich theid a null'. The song is composed of six lines and it looks as if the first line is incomplete. The text has been scored through in ink and written transversely across it is 'Transcribed 12/12 1883 A[lexander] C[armichael] Book III p[age] 64.'

Scope and Contents

Song probably collected from Donald MacColl, foxhunter, Glencreran, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire, beginning 'Hi hiu ro bho chan eil mi slan' and accompanying story in which the daughter of Airds was in love with her father's piper but the relationship was forbidden and she 'lost her reason'.

Scope and Contents Story about the MacCrimmons, MacLeods, Campbells and the rental of Boirrireig [Boraraig/Borreraig/Boreraig, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach/Isle of Skye] telling how the MacCrimmons had Boraraig for free as pipers to the MacLeods but now the rental is one or two hundred pounds. Glaisvein [A' Ghlas Pheighinn/Glasphein] was used by the Campbells for keeping hawks, which lead to this 'tribe' of Campbells being called 'Na Seocairean'. A John Nicolson told the informant that 'Na Seocairean' were 'teolach...

Scope and Contents

Story about the youngest Macintire [MacIntyre] son at Smearclat [Smeircleit/Smerclate, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] being turned into an excellent piper by the fairies. The young man's father and brother were celebrated pipers but this son had never played the pipes before. Following his encounter with the fairies, visitors to the house made him play and when he played so well they remarked 'If this be the worst piper of the family what must the others be'.

Scope and Contents Story entitled 'Sithein a Phiobaire' [Sìthein a' Phìobaire] collected from Kilpheadair S Uist [Cille Pheadair/Kilpheder, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist]. The story relates to Clann an t saoir Smearcleit [MacIntyres of Smeircleit/Smerclate] who were a talented family. One of their sons was a 'lecheallach' [leth-chiallach or half-wit] who was not fit to be a piper so was sent to watch cattle. He saw the light in the fairy hill and went in remembering to place a knife or nail in the door and said to...