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Superstition

 Subject
Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Scope Note: Created For = CW

Found in 42 Collections and/or Records:

Archaeological and natural history notes on Pabaigh/Pabbay, 1867

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW114/26
Scope and Contents Archaeological and natural history notes on Pabaigh/Pabbay, describing a circle about a cave there called Cearcal Teinteanach [An Cearcall] where 'The coruscations of the sea flashing about the circle make it appear like sparks of fire flying from the circle.' A 'large cave' of 'unknown length' and 'most difficult to find' is described as being below this circle. Ashes were found in the cave. Carmichael records that he spoke to someone who knew where the cave was, who said that his 'very...
Dates: 1867
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael

Custom entitled 'Togal an Doinis' [Togail an Donais], 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW1/67
Scope and Contents Custom written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula entitled 'Togal an Doinis' [Togail an Donais] describing how if something was stolen and the culprit not known, the suspects names were written on a piece of paper and if the person performing the charm could not write then a symbol was drawn to represent each suspect. The paper was folded longways, rubbed between the hands and dropped into a bowl of water. If the culprit's name was on the paper it would sink to the bottom...
Dates: 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael

Custom regarding dust and ashes at New Year, 1884

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW120/264
Scope and Contents

Custom regarding dust and ashes at New Year, that they should not be put out but be kept behind the door to [keep out the fairies] (text is unclear).

Dates: 1884
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael

Customs relating to cattle herding, 1895

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW1/69
Scope and Contents

Customs written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula relating to cattle herding, describing how when herding cattle to or from the house a number of cattle were allowed to follow behind the herder to avoid the evil eye. Also, if someone praised the cattle, the herder had to praise the cattle even higher. Text has been scored through in pencil as if transcribed elsewhere.

Dates: 1895
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael

Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael, 1883 to 1887

 Series
Identifier: Coll-97/CW120
Scope and Contents Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing material collected mostly in An Apainn/Appin and Lios Mòr/Lismore, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire. A large proportion of the stories and biographical information about Appin was collected from Donald MacColl, foxhunter, Glencreran, who was known as Dòmhnall a' Bhrocair. Amongst the material collected from Dòmhnall a' Bhrocair are proverbs, sayings, customs, stories about local figures and families and historic anecdotes. The other main...
Dates: 1883 to 1887
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection

Note about crotal [moss], November 1873

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW111/35
Scope and Contents

Note about crotal [moss] that sailors never wear cloth made from it as it sinks if they fall out and that this sinking is the 'revenge' from the stones off which the crotal is taken.

Dates: November 1873
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael

Note about Dunbeag Gearrameanoch, 26 March 1872

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW90/28
Scope and Contents

Note about Dunbeag Gearrameanoch [Dun Beag, Gearraidh Meadhanach, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist] that it is the 'largest among these'. Also notes that there is a house near it in which sometimes the ashes of the fire are blown about by the wind coming through the floor.

Dates: 26 March 1872
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael

Note about the 'laogh alla', 1884

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW120/248
Scope and Contents

Note about the 'laogh alla' [the wild calf] that when the calf visited one was safe from harm, that it was rarely seen and that it had a beautiful low.

Dates: 1884
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael

Note about the otter, 1901

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW110/37
Scope and Contents

Note about the otter [dobhar chu] that the owner of a bit of otter pelt will be safe in battle and other remarks which are difficult to make out. The text has been scored through as if transcribed elsewhere.

Dates: 1901
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook of Alexander Carmichael

Note entitled 'Bittern', 17 March 1874

 Item
Identifier: Coll-97/CW111/77
Scope and Contents Note entitled 'Bittern' describing a bittern found in a gravel pit 'within a gun shot of Flora MacDonald's house'. It 'fou[gh]t like a buck + squealed like a pig' and the 'ruff about [its] neck stood out as a lady said like an Eliza[bethan] collar'. The bird was deemed to be unlucky and an evil omen and so by the next day it had been eaten by the cats. The same kind of bird was said to have been shot in the same place some years before and also at Bailanloin [Baile Lòin/Balelone, Uibhist a...
Dates: 17 March 1874
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / The Carmichael-Watson Collection / Field notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael

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