Manuscript containing a collection of Ossianic poems by the Reverend Alexander Pope (circa 1706-1782) of Reay.
Scope and Contents
A letter written by Alexander Pope in 1763 and published in the Ossian Report, Appendix, page 52, indicates that this collecting activity took place about 1739. Folios 1-7 are in Pope’s hand, and a note at folio 1 verso confirming his identity appears to be signed W P, perhaps his son William. Folios 8-11 are in hand of the Reverend Alexander Sage (1753-1824) of Kildonan, as are numerous corrections passim and a reference at folio 5 verso.
The contents are as follows.
(i) (John Mackechnie, fragment A). ‘Shian sin sa Hullaich’, 14 stanzas. (Folio 1 recto, column a.)
(ii) “O s’ cui liom Iomachd ochdnar”, 8 stanzas. (Folio 1 recto, column b, line 5.)
(iii) ‘Hanig hugin dhe bar Bivil’, 20 stanzas. (Folio 1 verso.)
(iv) (John Mackechnie, fragment B). ‘Glen shi sho ri er taobh’, 22 quatrains. (Folio 2 recto.)
(v) (John Mackechnie, fragment C). ‘Noacht hagam er Fin fiorghlic’, 16 stanzas. With descriptive note. (Folio 3 recto.)
(vi) (John Mackechnie, fragment D). ‘Is kionol shin Hullach ard’, 24 stanzas. With descriptive note. (Folio 4 recto.)
(vii) (John Mackechnie, fragment E). Last 4 quatrains of “Mànus” (cf. ‘Leabhar na Feine’, page 73), here titled “N’ Delginach Mhoir”. Beginning ‘Bho harla du mo ghrasin fein’. With descriptive note. Two omitted quatrains subscribed. (Folio 5 recto.)
(viii) ‘Is kinol shin a Thulaich ard’, 10 quatrains. With descriptive note. (Folio 6 recto.)
(ix) (John Mackechnie, fragment F). ‘Inis ghuin Osein eile’, 108 lines. (Folio 7 recto.)
(x) (John Mackechnie, fragment G). ‘La do dhfin e shelg ni Clauin’, 23 quatrains. Cf. Adv.MS.73.2.16, folio 139. (Folio 8 recto.)
(xi) (John Mackechnie, fragment H). “Cha’n mharbh I ach an Fhian”, 124 lines. ‘Am Muireartach’ (acephalous). (Folio 9 recto.)
(xii) Sermon beginning ‘Mar sin be caira Feoil Pheacach’. (Folio 11 verso, line 5.)
Dates
- Creation: [Circa 1739.]
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
12 Leaves ; Folio and under.
Language of Materials
Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic
Arrangement
12 folios.
Custodial History
Formerly Gaelic MS.CXVIII.
The manuscript was in possession of the Highland Society of Scotland by 1822 (cf. Ingliston MS. A.iv.11, page 4).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Bibliography
See John Francis Campbell ‘Leabhar na Feine’ (London, 1872), pages v, xv, 218. The present manuscript is printed almost complete on pages 218-224.
An improved transcript by Alexander Sage of three of the poems is printed in ‘Reliquiae Celticae, texts papers and studies in Gaelic literature and philology left by the late Reverend Alexander Cameron, L.L.D.’, volume 1, ‘Ossianica’ (Inverness, 1892), edited by Alexander Macbain, and the Reverend John Kennedy, pages 393-399.
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk