Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair
Encyclopedia
Alasdair mac Mhaighstir Alasdair (lit. Alexander, Son of the Reverend Alexander) (c. 1698–1770) was a Scottish poet, lexicographer, political writer and memoirist, respected as perhaps the finest Gaelic language
poet of the 18th century. He served as a Jacobite
military officer and Gaelic tutor to Prince Charles Edward Stuart.
He is also known in English as Alexander MacDonald and as "The Clanranald Bard" or "The Great Bard" ("Am Bàrd Ainmeil").
, he claimed descent from Robert II of Scotland
. He was also the first cousin of the famous Flora MacDonald
.
The poet's father was Maighstir Alasdair (Rev. Alexander MacDonald) who was the Episcopalian Church of Scotland minister (this was prior to the Scottish Episcopal Church
splitting from The Kirk) for Eilean Fhìonain/Fhianain (Finnan Island), who lived at Dalilea in Moidart
, where the Bard was likely born. His mother was from Glencripesdale.
There were no schools in the area and so it is thought that the younger Alasdair was educated by his father, who was a graduate (MA) of the University of Glasgow
, throughout his early years. The Bard is said to have enjoyed a fine grounding in the ancient corra litir script of the Clanranald bards, and in the classics
(this is borne out by the references in his poetry to Ancient Greek
and Roman literature). Alasdair followed in the footsteps of his father and attended the University of Glasgow
, and the University of Edinburgh
, at a time when Scottish songs were gaining huge popularity. He is said to have left prematurely, however, having married Jane MacDonald of Dalness.
In 1738 he worked at Kilchoan
and next year he found himself at Coire a' Mhuilinn, Ardnamurchan
, where he composed one of his most famous poems: Allt an t-Siucar (The Sugar Brook). In 1741 he published a Gaelic/English Vocabulary, a volume of 200 pages, which was the first Scottish Gaelic vocabulary ever to be published. According to John Lorne Campbell
,
His whereabouts during the year of 1744 are unknown - though he is thought to have "deserted his post to help rally the Jacobite clans" - and saw his son Ranald acting as a substitute in his teaching duties. Early in 1745 he was summoned by the Royal Bounty Committee in Edinburgh who had heard that he was composing immodest poems in Gaelic. According to Campbell,
— "Bonnie Prince Charlie" — Alasdair hastened to join the prince upon his arrival at Loch nan Uamh from Eriskay
. According to legend, when they first met Alasdair did not recognise the prince, who had arrived in disguise, and made free with him until a warning glance of a fellow MacDonald clansman revealed to him the prominence of the person in his company.
Jacobite
songs penned by Alasdair such as: Òran Nuadh — "A New Song", Òran nam Fineachan Gaidhealach — "The Song of the Highland Clans" and Òran do'n Phrionnsa — "A Song to the Prince," serve as testament to the enthusiasm shown by his supporters towards the possible arrival of the prince as well as the Bard's own passion for the Jacobite
cause. These poems were sent to Aeneas MacDonald, the brother of Kinloch Moidart, in Paris and were read to the Prince in English translation to encourage him to come to Scotland. He was among the first to arrive at Glenfinnan
witness the raising of the Standard on 19 August 1745 which signalled the beginning of the campaign. He is also said to have sung his song of welcome: Tearlach Mac Sheumais. Afterwards he "Became the Tyrtaeus
of the Highland Army" and "The most persuasive of recruiting sergeant
s". Many of his surviving poems and songs openly glorify the Jacobite cause and satirize those, like Clan Campbell
, who sided with the House of Hanover
.
His first commission was a captaincy in the Clan Ranald Regiment where he was placed in command of 50 "cliver fellows" whom he personally recruited in Ardnamurchan
. Amongst his other responsibilities, the poet was selected to teach Scottish Gaelic to the prince due to his "skill in the Highland Language". It is also known that he converted to Roman Catholicism during this period. Alasdair served for the duration of the campaign which ended with the crushing defeat at the Battle of Culloden
.
, both he and his elder brother Angus sheltered for a time amongst the woods and lands of their own country. As the search for the prince intensified it became a necessity for him to take his family into the hills as his house was plundered by redcoats. Even the family cat was killed lest it might provide food for his wife and children.
According to Bishop Robert Forbes
,
Bishop Forbes also described him as follows,
After the '45 Alasdair became the bailie of Canna
during the summer of 1749 and remained there with his family until 1751, when he travelled to Edinburgh with the purpose of publishing his volume of poems entitled: Ais-Eiridh na Sean Chánoin Albannaich — "The Resurrection
of the Ancient Scottish Language." It has been written that, "It is very characteristic of his reckless courage that he published these poems, breathing rebellion in every line, and pouring the vials of his wrath upon the whole race of the Georges, five years after the battle at Culloden."
It was likely during this time that he composed the poem, An Airce "The Ark," a biting satire aimed at the Whigs
of Clan Campbell
. Beginning with the conventions of Aisling
poetry, the poet describes a meeting with the ghost of a beheaded Campbell Jacobite who then tells him that the Clan will soon be punished for committing high treason
against their lawful King, first being visited by the Ten Plagues of Egypt and then by another Great Flood upon their lands.
The poet is instructed to emulate Noah
by building another Ark
for carefully selected Campbell Jacobites. The moderates will be welcomed aboard the Ark's decks after being purged of their Whiggery by swallowing a dose of seawater. Campbell redcoats
are to be tied with millstones and thrown overboard. A female poet of the clan who had mocked Prince Charles and accused him of illegitimacy was to be treated to a fitting punishment before being delivered right into the poet's mercy.
by the common hangman. Only twelve original copies are now known to exist. The work, in various expurgated editions, appeared again several times in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Alasdair expected to be prosecuted and attempted to settle at Eignaig in Glen Uig but soon ran afoul of the estate management and moved again to Inverie
in Knoydart. Again he did not remain there long and again moved to Morar
and finally to Arisaig
; Initially at Camus-na-talmhuinn and then at Sandaig.
, where he had a close friend in Iain Mac Fhearchair (John MacCodrum), the famed bard
to Sir James MacDonald of Sleat, whom he admired greatly. Alasdair was described as a fine singer, of tall height and broad chest, handsome in feature and fair in hair. Among his attributes were sincerity, honesty, loyalty to his friends and to his own convictions.
; or Among the Clanranalds" records Alasdair's last moments from the tradition of district:
Collection, by Rounder Records
in 2006.
According to Campbell,
He may be said to rank first among all bards of the Scottish Gaels, perhaps with only Sorley MacLean
, of more recent fame, as an exception.
Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair's last direct descendant emigrated to the United States and served with distinction in the 11th Wisconsin Regiment during the American Civil War
.
Scottish Gaelic language
Scottish Gaelic is a Celtic language native to Scotland. A member of the Goidelic branch of the Celtic languages, Scottish Gaelic, like Modern Irish and Manx, developed out of Middle Irish, and thus descends ultimately from Primitive Irish....
poet of the 18th century. He served as a Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
military officer and Gaelic tutor to Prince Charles Edward Stuart.
He is also known in English as Alexander MacDonald and as "The Clanranald Bard" or "The Great Bard" ("Am Bàrd Ainmeil").
Early life
Born to a notable Highland family, through his great-grandmother Màiri, daughter of Angus MacDonald of IslayAonghas Óg
Aonghas Óg was a Scottish nobleman who was the last independent Lord of the Isles.-Biography:He was the bastard son of John of Islay, Earl of Ross . Aonghas became a rebel against both his father and against the Scottish crown...
, he claimed descent from Robert II of Scotland
Robert II of Scotland
Robert II became King of Scots in 1371 as the first monarch of the House of Stewart. He was the son of Walter Stewart, hereditary High Steward of Scotland and of Marjorie Bruce, daughter of Robert I and of his first wife Isabella of Mar...
. He was also the first cousin of the famous Flora MacDonald
Flora MacDonald
Flora Isabel MacDonald, is a Canadian politician.Born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, she worked in administration for the Progressive Conservative Party for several years, prior to becoming involved in electoral politics....
.
The poet's father was Maighstir Alasdair (Rev. Alexander MacDonald) who was the Episcopalian Church of Scotland minister (this was prior to the Scottish Episcopal Church
Scottish Episcopal Church
The Scottish Episcopal Church is a Christian church in Scotland, consisting of seven dioceses. Since the 17th century, it has had an identity distinct from the presbyterian Church of Scotland....
splitting from The Kirk) for Eilean Fhìonain/Fhianain (Finnan Island), who lived at Dalilea in Moidart
Moidart
Moidart is a district in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland.Moidart lies to the west of Fort William and is very remote. Loch Shiel cuts off the south-east boundary of the district. Moidart includes the townships of Dorlin, Mingarry, Kinlochmoidart and Glenuig. At Dorlin is located the ancient fortress...
, where the Bard was likely born. His mother was from Glencripesdale.
There were no schools in the area and so it is thought that the younger Alasdair was educated by his father, who was a graduate (MA) of the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, throughout his early years. The Bard is said to have enjoyed a fine grounding in the ancient corra litir script of the Clanranald bards, and in the classics
The Classics
The Classics was an American vocal group formed in 1958 in Brooklyn.The Classics first sang together in high school; two of them had previously sung in a group called The Del-Rays. In 1959, under the auspices of manager Jim Gribble, they recorded their first single, "Cinderella"; the record Bubbled...
(this is borne out by the references in his poetry to Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek literature
Ancient Greek literature refers to literature written in the Ancient Greek language until the 4th century.- Classical and Pre-Classical Antiquity :...
and Roman literature). Alasdair followed in the footsteps of his father and attended the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, and the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, at a time when Scottish songs were gaining huge popularity. He is said to have left prematurely, however, having married Jane MacDonald of Dalness.
Protestant Missioner
In 1729 Alasdair was appointed to a school at Finnan Island as a teacher by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge, and was the catechist of the same parish under the Royal Bounty Committee of the Church of Scotland. His position required him to teach at various locations throughout Moidart.In 1738 he worked at Kilchoan
Kilchoan
Kilchoan is a village on the Scottish peninsula of Ardnamurchan, in Lochaber, Highland. It is the most westerly village on Great Britain, although several tiny hamlets lie further west on the peninsula .Kilchoan has a population of about 150.-History:Donaldson equates 'Buarblaig' Kilchoan (Cille...
and next year he found himself at Coire a' Mhuilinn, Ardnamurchan
Ardnamurchan
Ardnamurchan is a peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoilt and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main access route being a single track road for much of its length.-Geography:...
, where he composed one of his most famous poems: Allt an t-Siucar (The Sugar Brook). In 1741 he published a Gaelic/English Vocabulary, a volume of 200 pages, which was the first Scottish Gaelic vocabulary ever to be published. According to John Lorne Campbell
John Lorne Campbell
John Lorne Campbell was a Scottish historian, farmer, environmentalist and folklore scholar.-Biography:In the 1930s Campbell was living on the Hebridean island of Barra where, with the author Compton Mackenzie, he founded the Sea League to fight for the rights of local fisherman and organised a...
,
"His Galick and English Vocabulary was commissioned by the S.P.C.K. for use in their schools in furthering their policy of replacing Gaelic by English as the vernacular of the Highlands and Islands... No doubt the reading MacDonald did in preparing this translation, for which he was ultimately paid the princely sum of £10, helped to develop his powerful command of the resources of the Gaelic language."Campbell also states,
"Considering what the (still unpublished) early minutes of the S.P.C.K. in Scotland reveal of the Anti-Catholic, Anti-JacobiteJacobitismJacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
, and Anti-Gaelic policy and activities of that body, Alexander MacDonald's employment in its service as a schoolmaster from 1729 to 1745 must be considered as totally inconsistent with his natural loyalties as a member of the Clanranald branch of the MacDonalds; and one can only feel that in his young days something must have gone wrong with his career to account for this."
His whereabouts during the year of 1744 are unknown - though he is thought to have "deserted his post to help rally the Jacobite clans" - and saw his son Ranald acting as a substitute in his teaching duties. Early in 1745 he was summoned by the Royal Bounty Committee in Edinburgh who had heard that he was composing immodest poems in Gaelic. According to Campbell,
"MacDonald did not altogether satisfy the Society, who resolved on his dismissal in a minute dated 14 July 1745, he having in fact abandoned his school since the preceding Whitsuntide, never to return to it again."
Jacobite
At that time, however, Alasdair had come to find new interests. Aware of the probable landing of Prince Charles Edward StuartCharles Edward Stuart
Prince Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart commonly known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or The Young Pretender was the second Jacobite pretender to the thrones of Great Britain , and Ireland...
— "Bonnie Prince Charlie" — Alasdair hastened to join the prince upon his arrival at Loch nan Uamh from Eriskay
Eriskay
Eriskay , from the Old Norse for "Eric's Isle", is an island and community council area of the Outer Hebrides in northern Scotland. It lies between South Uist and Barra and is connected to South Uist by a causeway which was opened in 2001. In the same year Eriskay became the ferry terminal for...
. According to legend, when they first met Alasdair did not recognise the prince, who had arrived in disguise, and made free with him until a warning glance of a fellow MacDonald clansman revealed to him the prominence of the person in his company.
Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
songs penned by Alasdair such as: Òran Nuadh — "A New Song", Òran nam Fineachan Gaidhealach — "The Song of the Highland Clans" and Òran do'n Phrionnsa — "A Song to the Prince," serve as testament to the enthusiasm shown by his supporters towards the possible arrival of the prince as well as the Bard's own passion for the Jacobite
Jacobitism
Jacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
cause. These poems were sent to Aeneas MacDonald, the brother of Kinloch Moidart, in Paris and were read to the Prince in English translation to encourage him to come to Scotland. He was among the first to arrive at Glenfinnan
Glenfinnan
Glenfinnan is a village in Lochaber area of the Highlands of Scotland. It is located at the northern end of Loch Shiel, at the foot of Glenfinnan.- Glenfinnan Monument :...
witness the raising of the Standard on 19 August 1745 which signalled the beginning of the campaign. He is also said to have sung his song of welcome: Tearlach Mac Sheumais. Afterwards he "Became the Tyrtaeus
Tyrtaeus
Tyrtaeus was a Greek poet who composed verses in Sparta around the time of the Second Messenian War, the date of which isn't clearly establishedsometime in the latter part of the seventh century BC...
of the Highland Army" and "The most persuasive of recruiting sergeant
Recruiting sergeant
A recruiting sergeant is a British or American soldier of the rank of sergeant who is tasked to enlist recruits. The term originated in the British army of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries....
s". Many of his surviving poems and songs openly glorify the Jacobite cause and satirize those, like Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
, who sided with the House of Hanover
House of Hanover
The House of Hanover is a deposed German royal dynasty which has ruled the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg , the Kingdom of Hanover, the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Kingdom of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
.
His first commission was a captaincy in the Clan Ranald Regiment where he was placed in command of 50 "cliver fellows" whom he personally recruited in Ardnamurchan
Ardnamurchan
Ardnamurchan is a peninsula in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland, noted for being very unspoilt and undisturbed. Its remoteness is accentuated by the main access route being a single track road for much of its length.-Geography:...
. Amongst his other responsibilities, the poet was selected to teach Scottish Gaelic to the prince due to his "skill in the Highland Language". It is also known that he converted to Roman Catholicism during this period. Alasdair served for the duration of the campaign which ended with the crushing defeat at the Battle of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
.
After Culloden
In the aftermath of the Battle of CullodenBattle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
, both he and his elder brother Angus sheltered for a time amongst the woods and lands of their own country. As the search for the prince intensified it became a necessity for him to take his family into the hills as his house was plundered by redcoats. Even the family cat was killed lest it might provide food for his wife and children.
According to Bishop Robert Forbes
Robert Forbes (bishop)
Robert Forbes was the bishop of Ross and Caithness for the Scottish Episcopal Church. He is best remembered for his vocal Jacobite views.-Life:...
,
"Captain MacDonald and his wife and children wandered through hills and mountains until the act of indemnity appeared, and in the time of their sulking from place to place his poor wife fell ill with child, which happened to be a daughter, and is still alive."
Bishop Forbes also described him as follows,
"He is a very smart, acute man, remarkably well skilled in the Erse, for he can both read and write the Irish language in its original character, a piece of knowledge almost quite lost in the Highlands of Scotland, there being exceedingly few that have any skills at all that way. For the Captain told me that he did he did not know any other person (old Clanranald excepted) that knew anything of the first tongue in its original character.... Several of the Captain's acquaintances have told me that he is by far the best Erse poet in Scotland, and that he has written many songs in the pure Irish."
After the '45 Alasdair became the bailie of Canna
Canna, Scotland
Canna is the westernmost of the Small Isles archipelago, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It is linked to the neighbouring island of Sanday by a road and sandbanks at low tide. The island is long and wide...
during the summer of 1749 and remained there with his family until 1751, when he travelled to Edinburgh with the purpose of publishing his volume of poems entitled: Ais-Eiridh na Sean Chánoin Albannaich — "The Resurrection
Resurrection
Resurrection refers to the literal coming back to life of the biologically dead. It is used both with respect to particular individuals or the belief in a General Resurrection of the dead at the end of the world. The General Resurrection is featured prominently in Jewish, Christian, and Muslim...
of the Ancient Scottish Language." It has been written that, "It is very characteristic of his reckless courage that he published these poems, breathing rebellion in every line, and pouring the vials of his wrath upon the whole race of the Georges, five years after the battle at Culloden."
It was likely during this time that he composed the poem, An Airce "The Ark," a biting satire aimed at the Whigs
British Whig Party
The Whigs were a party in the Parliament of England, Parliament of Great Britain, and Parliament of the United Kingdom, who contested power with the rival Tories from the 1680s to the 1850s. The Whigs' origin lay in constitutional monarchism and opposition to absolute rule...
of Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell is a Highland Scottish clan. Historically one of the largest, most powerful and most successful of the Highland clans, their lands were in Argyll and the chief of the clan became the Earl and later Duke of Argyll.-Origins:...
. Beginning with the conventions of Aisling
Aisling
The aisling , or vision poem, is a poetic genre that developed during the late 17th and 18th centuries in Irish language poetry...
poetry, the poet describes a meeting with the ghost of a beheaded Campbell Jacobite who then tells him that the Clan will soon be punished for committing high treason
High treason
High treason is criminal disloyalty to one's government. Participating in a war against one's native country, attempting to overthrow its government, spying on its military, its diplomats, or its secret services for a hostile and foreign power, or attempting to kill its head of state are perhaps...
against their lawful King, first being visited by the Ten Plagues of Egypt and then by another Great Flood upon their lands.
The poet is instructed to emulate Noah
Noah
Noah was, according to the Hebrew Bible, the tenth and last of the antediluvian Patriarchs. The biblical story of Noah is contained in chapters 6–9 of the book of Genesis, where he saves his family and representatives of all animals from the flood by constructing an ark...
by building another Ark
Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark is a vessel appearing in the Book of Genesis and the Quran . These narratives describe the construction of the ark by Noah at God's command to save himself, his family, and the world's animals from the worldwide deluge of the Great Flood.In the narrative of the ark, God sees the...
for carefully selected Campbell Jacobites. The moderates will be welcomed aboard the Ark's decks after being purged of their Whiggery by swallowing a dose of seawater. Campbell redcoats
Red coat (British army)
Red coat or Redcoat is a historical term used to refer to soldiers of the British Army because of the red uniforms formerly worn by the majority of regiments. From the late 17th century to the early 20th century, the uniform of most British soldiers, , included a madder red coat or coatee...
are to be tied with millstones and thrown overboard. A female poet of the clan who had mocked Prince Charles and accused him of illegitimacy was to be treated to a fitting punishment before being delivered right into the poet's mercy.
- Ma Thig a bhan-bhárd na d'lionamh
- Ostag mhío-narach an an Obain,
- Ceanagail achdair r'i do bhrandi,
- Go bi toirt dram do'n a rónamh:
- Ach ma chinnis i na Jonah
- S a sluggadh beo le muic-mhara:
- Go meal i a cairstealan fheólain;
- Ach a sgeith air córsa Chana.
- "If the poetess comes into your nets,
- The shameless little female pub-keeper from ObanObanOban Oban Oban ( is a resort town within the Argyll and Bute council area of Scotland. It has a total resident population of 8,120. Despite its small size, it is the largest town between Helensburgh and Fort William and during the tourist season the town can be crowded by up to 25,000 people. Oban...
, - Tie an anchor of brandy to her
- To give a dram to the seals.
- "But if she becomes a JonahJonahJonah is the name given in the Hebrew Bible to a prophet of the northern kingdom of Israel in about the 8th century BC, the eponymous central character in the Book of Jonah, famous for being swallowed by a fish or a whale, depending on translation...
, - And is swallowed alive by a whale,
- May she enjoy her fleshy quarters
- Provided she be spewed up on the coast of CannaCanna, ScotlandCanna is the westernmost of the Small Isles archipelago, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It is linked to the neighbouring island of Sanday by a road and sandbanks at low tide. The island is long and wide...
."
Response
It is said that the publication caused such outrage amongst the authorities that the unsold copies held by the publisher were seized and burned at the Cross in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
by the common hangman. Only twelve original copies are now known to exist. The work, in various expurgated editions, appeared again several times in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Alasdair expected to be prosecuted and attempted to settle at Eignaig in Glen Uig but soon ran afoul of the estate management and moved again to Inverie
Inverie
Inverie is the only village in Knoydart, Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. It is linked by ferry to Mallaig, but there is no road access to thearea from the rest of Scotland. The village is home to the remotest public house in mainland Great Britain, 'The Old Forge'.Inverie lies on the north side of...
in Knoydart. Again he did not remain there long and again moved to Morar
Morar
Morar is a small village on the west coast of Scotland, south of Mallaig. The name Morar is also applied to the wider district around the village....
and finally to Arisaig
Arisaig
Arisaig is a village in Lochaber, Invernessshire, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands.-History:On 20 September 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland for France from a place near the village following the failure of the Jacobite Rising. The site of his departure is marked by the Prince's...
; Initially at Camus-na-talmhuinn and then at Sandaig.
Later life
He frequently travelled to South UistSouth Uist
South Uist is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The...
, where he had a close friend in Iain Mac Fhearchair (John MacCodrum), the famed bard
Bard
In medieval Gaelic and British culture a bard was a professional poet, employed by a patron, such as a monarch or nobleman, to commemorate the patron's ancestors and to praise the patron's own activities.Originally a specific class of poet, contrasting with another class known as fili in Ireland...
to Sir James MacDonald of Sleat, whom he admired greatly. Alasdair was described as a fine singer, of tall height and broad chest, handsome in feature and fair in hair. Among his attributes were sincerity, honesty, loyalty to his friends and to his own convictions.
Death
Father Charles MacDonald in his "MoidartMoidart
Moidart is a district in Lochaber, Highland, Scotland.Moidart lies to the west of Fort William and is very remote. Loch Shiel cuts off the south-east boundary of the district. Moidart includes the townships of Dorlin, Mingarry, Kinlochmoidart and Glenuig. At Dorlin is located the ancient fortress...
; or Among the Clanranalds" records Alasdair's last moments from the tradition of district:
"In his last illness he was carefully nursed by his ArisaigArisaigArisaig is a village in Lochaber, Invernessshire, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands.-History:On 20 September 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland for France from a place near the village following the failure of the Jacobite Rising. The site of his departure is marked by the Prince's...
friends, two of whom on the night of his decease, finding the hours rather monotonous, and thinking that he was asleep, began to recite in an undertone some verses of their own composition. To their astonishment, however, the bard raised himself up, and, smiling at their inexperienced efforts, pointed out how the ideas might be improved and the verses made to run in another and smoother form, at the same time giving an illustration in a few original measures of his own. He then sank back on the pillow and immediately expired. It was proposed at first to carry his remains to Eilean Fhionnain - Island Finnan, but the project, owing to a severe gale then raging along the coast, had to be abandoned. The Arisaig people thereupon got their own way, and Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair was buried in the cemetery of Kilmorie, close to the present Catholic church of ArisaigArisaigArisaig is a village in Lochaber, Invernessshire, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands.-History:On 20 September 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie left Scotland for France from a place near the village following the failure of the Jacobite Rising. The site of his departure is marked by the Prince's...
."
Legacy
Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair "owed little or nothing either to his predecessors or his contemporaries" in the field of poetry and many of his poems are available in anthologies of Scottish poetry. His song Oran Eile do Phrionnsa was performed by Calum Johnston at the 1951 Edinburgh People's Festival Ceilidh. A CD recording was released, as part of the Alan LomaxAlan Lomax
Alan Lomax was an American folklorist and ethnomusicologist. He was one of the great field collectors of folk music of the 20th century, recording thousands of songs in the United States, Great Britain, Ireland, the Caribbean, Italy, and Spain.In his later career, Lomax advanced his theories of...
Collection, by Rounder Records
Rounder Records
Rounder Records, originally of Cambridge, Massachusetts, but now based in Burlington, Massachusetts, is a record label founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Bill Nowlin and Marian Leighton-Levy, while all three were still university students...
in 2006.
According to Campbell,
"It is hardly too much to say that no satisfactory text of MacDonald's poems has yet been produced. Apart from the peculiarities of his own spelling -- which represents nearly the first attempt to adapt the orthography of the old literary language common to Scotland and Ireland to the vernacular of the Highlands -- he uses forms which are not now employed in modern speech, and which have been consequently removed by all his editors from MacPherson onwards, presumably as a concession to readers unwilling to acquaint themselves with obsolete forms of the language."
He may be said to rank first among all bards of the Scottish Gaels, perhaps with only Sorley MacLean
Sorley MacLean
Sorley MacLean was one of the most significant Scottish poets of the 20th century.-Early life:He was born at Osgaig on the island of Raasay on 26 October 1911, where Scottish Gaelic was the first language. He attended the University of Edinburgh and was an avid shinty player playing for the...
, of more recent fame, as an exception.
Alasdair MacMhaighstir Alasdair's last direct descendant emigrated to the United States and served with distinction in the 11th Wisconsin Regiment during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
Legend
"Alexander MacDonald was for a time living in CannaCanna, ScotlandCanna is the westernmost of the Small Isles archipelago, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It is linked to the neighbouring island of Sanday by a road and sandbanks at low tide. The island is long and wide...
. He was bailie for one of the Clanranalds when they had Canna. One fine day he was going over to UistSouth UistSouth Uist is an island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. In the 2001 census it had a usually resident population of 1,818. There is a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. The...
in a rowing boat, and some old men of the island were down at the place called Gob a' Rubha, the point past the pier. When Alexander was going past, one of the old men who was fishing for cuddies said to him: 'Won't you give your opinion of us now, Alasdair?' 'I will do that,' he said; and he said to them:
- Thug sibh ur cùl ris na creagan
- Buidheann fhiata nan glùn giobach;
- 'S olc an dream sibh, ge nach trod sibh,
- Na fir mhóra, ròmach, giobach!
- 'You with your backs to the cliffs
- A wild crowd with hairy knees;
- You're a bad tribe, even if you're not quarrelling,
- Big shaggy hairy fellows!'
Trivia
- The poet's Gaelic name means "Alasdair, son of the Reverend Alasdair". His father, also named Alasdair, was known as Maighstir Alasdair ("Master Alexander") which was then the way of referring to a clergyman in Scottish Gaelic. In English, Maighstir Alasdair was known as the "Reverend Alexander MacDonald".