Notebook containing poems mostly by Rob Donn Mackay, taken down by Rev. Dr Alexander Irvine from the recitation of the poet's daughter Janet., 1800
Scope and Contents
Notebook with marbled boards of cardboard, the spine strengthened by a strip of brown leather. Paginated [1]-137 by the scribe. In the hand of Rev. Dr Alexander Irvine. Contains mostly poetry of Rob Donn Mackay. A note on the inside back cover, paginated 137, says: "These poems were taken from Janet McKay dr to Rob Mc Kay before Duncan McIntyre poet this 22 of Decr 1800 at no. 17 Thistle Street Edin[burgh].
Contains biographical notes on Rob Donn, followed by a collection of his songs and a small number of songs not by him. Listed in John Mackechnie, 'Catalogue of Gaelic manuscripts', vol. 1, page 342.
The songs not by Rob Donn are as follows:
[Anonymous]. Song introduced as "Oran ma sfhior le Flora McDonald s mor comhradh sa Bhliadhna 1746 do phrions' Tearlach s e air fogradh, a buaradh o Mr R. MDonald Min Feartichill 30 Augt 1821". Beginning 'Fhir ud thall an ach na comhaichan / Bfhearr leam fhin gun ura ' gnothach.' 2 stanzas of 4 lines, with a four-line refrain beginning 'Uillean ho iun ah ho ro'. A version of this song, headed "Òran do Phrionnsa Teàrlach", is printed in John Mackenzie, 'Sàr-obair nam bàrd Gàidhealach' (1841), page 373. This begins 'Fhir ud thall mu àirigh nan Comhaichean, / B' fheàrr leam fhìn gun cinneadh gnothach leat'. Pages 105-108.
Duncan Bruce Forbes, Amulree. Song headed "Iorram do Dhun Chaillin bheag", beginning ''S ann oirne san ait so / A thain an beul aluinn'". Dated at the end: "Oct 30 1821 by Red Duncan Bruce Forbes of Amulree." Pages 109-113, but begins on page 110, with 109 being the last page.
Dates
- Creation: 1800
Creator
- Irvine, Alexander, Minister of Little Dunkeld, 1773-1824 (Scribe, Person)
- Donn, Rob, poet, 1714-1778 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
1 Volumes
Language of Materials
Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic
Genre / Form
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
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Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk