Poems

Poem entitled 'Rann Maistridh' collected from Donald MacDonald, crofter, Griminish, Benbecula [Griminis, Beinn na Faoghla] beginning 'Thig a chuinneag thig'.

Poem entitled 'Teanntac[hd] Mhor Na Feinn[e]' collected from Donul Mac a Bhi [Donald MacPhee], smith, Brèibhig/Breivig, Barraigh/Isle of Barra beginning 'La dh an Th[einn] shuas Druim-dearg, Freiteach blath ri mu Fhinn'. The poem is composed of forty two lines. The accompanying note states that he heard it 'from Ruari Ruadh mac Cuiein sa Cheanna Tuath (Uist) 50 years ago [c1817]' [Roderick MacQuien, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist].

Callainn [Hogmanay] poem collected from Mary Nighe[an] Iain Bhain [Màiri Mhòr nan Òran, Sgeabost/Skeabost, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach/Isle of Skye] beginning 'Bon[ach [dine] fuine nam ban, Be siud an roillgerach tiugh'. The poem is composed of four lines.

Callainn [Hogmanay] poem collected from Mary Nighe[an] Iain Bhain [Màiri Mhòr nan Òran, Sgeabost/Skeabost, An t-Eilean Sgitheanach/Isle of Skye] beginning 'Thainig mi an tigh so, Ho ro la ri o'. The poem is composed of eleven lines.

Poem for Hogmanay beginning 'Cha neil mi tha nad ard, Nach cois part de mar anas'.

Poem or song written down by John Ewen MacRury, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula, beginning 'Tha uaisle air MacLeoid, 'S cha' n e uaisle Innsa-Gall'. The poem/song is composed of eight lines and is written in ink.

Poem quotations likened to a Miss Beatson [possibly Margaret or Elizabeth Beatson, the daughters of the minister of Barraigh/Isle of Barra] 'Miss Beatson is like Word[sworth]'s A rosebud by a mossy stone, Half hidden from the eye...Or - A mossy rosebud down you know, Just op'ning fresh & bonnie...But more beautiful than either...is Oss[ian] Bha sgeimh mar sholaist ga h-eud eud (sic), Bha ceuma mar cheol nan dan.'

Poem under the title 'Leprosy' said by a woman 'afflicted with dropsy (leprosy?)' who was set apart from the people and placed in a bothy by herself beginning 'Iosaibh! Eosaibh! Eosaibh! (Joseph?), Iosa bu choir a mholadh'. The text has been scored through in pencil.

"‘Poems to Paintings by William Johnstone", being: I. A Point in Time; II. Wedding of the Winds; III. Conception; IV. Composition (1934); V. Knight; VI. Of William Johnstone’s Art; VII. Ode to the North Wind; VIII. Of William Johnstone’s Exhibition. Manuscript, pencil, 7 folios, 1 envelope addressed to F. G. Scott.

Poem/Song entitled 'Tochra Na Mnatha' collected from Fionnladh nan Gobhar, cattleman, Grogearry, South Uist [Groigearraidh/Grogarry, Uibhist a Deas] beginning 'Nuair a theid mo bhean an bhuaile' and accompanying story which tells how the husband in the song was 'demurring as to the amount of tochar [dowry] he got with his wife'.