Kentangaval Isle of Barra Inverness-shire Scotland
Kilpheder South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
Malaclete North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
North Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
Skeabost Isle of Skye Inverness-shire Scotland
South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
Stilligarry South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
Tobha Beag South Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
Uist Inverness-shire Scotland
Biography
Charms
Language
Poems
Proverbs
Riddles
Sayings
Songs
Tales
Description
Notebook belonging to Alexander Carmichael containing songs, poems, tales, names, vocabulary and expressions collected in the Outer Hebrides [Na h-Eileanan an Iar]. The first part of the volume contains transcriptions taken as Carmichael listened to informants in 1877 while the second part appears to be copies of previous transcriptions of material collected by Carmichael and Rev Malcolm MacPhail in 1874 and written into the notebook in 1891. Amongst the material is a version of the lament 'Ailein Duinn' and accompanying story; several charms collected from Mary Stewart or Màiri Bhreac, a dairymaid in Malacleit/Malaclete, Uibhist a Tuath/North Uist; notes on natural history, and archaeological sites such as Caibeal MhicCeallaich, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist; the Fenian ballad 'Laoidh na h-Inghinne' recited by John MacInnes in Stadhlaigearraidh/Stilligarry, Uibhist a Deas/South Uist; notes on the family of the Duke of Tarentum and anecdotes on fishing from a ninety-five year old man called Neil MacPherson, Lionacleit/Liniclate, Beinn na Faoghla/Benbecula. There are many notes on vocabulary throughout the volume along with lists of riddles, proverbs and sayings and a separate list of 'Curious Names'. Carmichael also used this notebook to records the story of Gille na Ciotaig; 'Birnie's Tyranny'; the background of the lovesong 'Màiri Bhoidheach'; the humorous dialogue 'Uilleam Dèan Suidhe'; tales about John Morison of Bragar and stories of fairies, mermaids and water-horses. Of the sixty-two folios, only forty-six have been used.
