The Carmichael-Watson Collection consists of papers belonging to the Reverend Alexander Cameron of Arran, Alexander Carmichael, civil servant and folklorist, Alexander MacBain of Inverness, and Professor William John Watson and his son James Carmichael Watson, along with books and papers belonging to the Reverend Charles Robertson of Jura, the Reverend Angus MacDonald, the Reverend Archibald MacDonald and the Reverend Father Allan McDonald of Eriskay.
These include: invocations (prayers for protection, prayers before going to sleep); addresses to the saints; seasonal hymns, including Christmas carols; blessings for everyday tasks (tending the fire, reaping, grinding, milking, herding, and hunting); incantations used in healing; prayers to the sun and moon; rhymes about animals and birds; blessings on cattle and other livestock; praise songs, love songs, milking songs, fairy songs, waulking songs; auguries; and, information on custom and beliefs generally. There are notebooks, newspaper cuttings, lists of place-names etc., teacher's log-books, and folders containing miscellaneous papers.
