| Reference Number | 106 |
| Title | Eachdraidh na h-Alba |
| Author | Mac Coinnich, Aonghas |
| Editor | N/A |
| Date Of Edition | 1867 |
| Date Of Language | mid to late 19c |
| Date Of Language Ed | 1850-1899 |
| DateMacro | Mid 19th c. |
| Date Of Language Notes | |
| Publisher | G. Mac-Na-Ceardadh (Glasgow), S. Muilleir (Oban), I. Noble (Inverness) |
| Place Published | Glasgow, Oban and Inverness (Glascho, Oban, Inbhirnis) |
| Volume | N/A |
| Location | National, academic, and local (Inverness Ref.) libraries |
| Geographical Origins | Stornoway, Lewis |
| Geographical Origins Ed | Lewis |
| GeoMacro | Lewis |
| GeoX | -6.3959 |
| GeoY | 58.2127 |
| Geographical Origins Notes | |
| Register | Literature, Prose (History) |
| Register Ed | Literature, Prose |
| Genre | Literature |
| Medium | Prose |
| Rating | B A history of Scotland from the coming of the Romans until the time of Queen Victoria. Contains terminology relating to various periods in Scottish history. Includes Gaelic terms for names and places, and for religion during the period of the Reformation. Includes terms relating to kingship, kin-based society and succession; to fighting, feuds, battles, and wars; and to the politics surrounding a number of events in Scottish history. Much of the text has been translated from English into Gaelic, and the influence of English syntax is evident in some parts of the text. |
| Alternative Author Name | Rev. Angus MacKenzie |
| Manuscript Or Edition | Ed. |
| Size And Condition | 19cm x 12.8cm |
| Short Title | Eachdraidh na h-Alba |
| Reference Details | NLS: A.120.g |
| Number Of Pages | vi, 464, plus 3 pages of reviews and 1 page of errata |
| Gaelic Text By | N/A |
| Illustrator | N/A |
| Social Context | Angus MacKenzie was born in Ard Thunga, just north of Stornoway in the Isle of Lewis, around 1818 (not 1824, as stated in the Annals of the Free Church of Scotland). MacKenzie went to school in Stornoway, and then proceeded to King’s College, Aberdeen, where he studied between 1844 and 1848. He then studied at New College in Edinburgh. Between 1856 and 1857 he was preaching in Applecross and in Kildonan. MacKenzie was inducted in 1891 ‘ann an Eaglais Shaoir na Moighe’ (p. 138). He died in 1896, aged 78. It seems that he never had a charge in Lewis; Charles Coventry (from whose research much of our information on Mackenzie is derived) suggests that: ‘Leis cho mionaideach ’s a tha an leabhar ùr An Eaglais Shaor ann an Leòdhas faodaidh sinn a bhith cinnteach nach do shaothraich Mac Coinnich ann an Leòdhas bhon nach eil Dòmhnall Mac Gilliosa ga ainmeachadh’ (Coventry, 1983, p. 138). MacKenzie himself states, in the Roimh-Radh, that ‘Cha b’ ann air son dhaoine fòghluimt’ a sgriobhadh an Eachdraidh a leanas, ach air son daoine neo-fhòghluimte. Cha’n’eil an t-ùghdar a’ gabhail air, aon chuid comasan neo-àbhaisteach àrd, no eòlas neo-àbhaisteach farsuing, a thoirt a dh’ ionnsuidh na h-oibre. Agus mar sin, cha ruig an leughadair fòghluimte leas a ghealltuinn dha féin gu ’m faigh e mòran innte nach ’eil ri ’fhaotainn ’an Eachdraidhibh Beurla na rioghachd, nach ’eil tearc ’an àireamh. … ’S i so a’ cheud oidhirp a thugadh air Eachdraidh Alb’ o thoiseach gu deireadh a chur a mach ’an seana chànain na dùthcha. … Bha trì nithe àraidh air an cumail ’s an amharc ann an sgriobhadh na h-Eachdraidh so, a bha mar shnàthainn-riaghailt air gach mìr fa leth dhi mar a bha i ’dol air aghart. 1. I bhi firinneach. 2. I bhi goirid. 3. Uiread ’s a ghabhadh deanamh a bhi air a dheinneadh innte’ (p. iii). He also points out that he has included a section on the Feinne. The last paragraph of the introduction reads ‘Anns a’ chomh-dhùnadh, dh’ iarradh an t-ùghdar a bhi ’g altrum an dòchais gu ’n toir mòran de chàirdean na Gàeltachd, nach ’eil gu h-iomlan ’an urra ris a’ Ghàelic, gnùis do ’n oidhirp so air ar luchd-dùthcha ’shoillseachadh ’an eòlas air eachdraidh na rioghachd; agus mar sin gu ’n cuidich iad le bhi ’toirt o gach Gall ’us coigreach eile fàth a bhi ni ’s faid’ a’ tilgeadh mar athais air na Gàeil, nach cùm iad suas litreachd ’n an cànain féin, ciod sam bith eil’ a chumas iad suas’ (p. iv). Some of the chapters in Eachdraidh na h-Alba are translations of English-language textbooks – particularly the sections that deal with kings and battles. When dealing with the Church, however, MacKenzie turns to other authors, including ‘sgrìobhadairean Gallda mar bha Dàibhidh Hay Fleming a bhuineadh do Chill Rìmhinn’ (Coventry 1983, p. 138). Coventry also draws attention to a comment (ascribed by him to J. L. Campbell, Fear Chanaidh, but more likely the work of J. F. Campbell, Iain Òg Ìle) written in one of the NLS copies of this volume, to the effect that the grammar and syntax of the work was English-based, however important it was to have such a work in Gaelic. |
| Contents | This volume begins with An Roimh-radh (pp. iii-iv) by MacKenzie, followed by An Clar-Innsidh (pp. v-vi). Eachdraidh na h-Alba (pp. 1-464) contains 49 chapters as follows: I Eachdraidh neo-sgrìobhta—Cionnus a leughar i (pp. 1-8), II Tighinn nan Ròmhanach (pp. 9-13), III Tighinn an t-Soisgeil (pp. 14-17), IV Na Pictich—Na Sgaothaich—Callum-Cille (pp. 17-23), V Alba ’tighinn gu bhi ’na h-aon rioghachd (pp. 24-31), VI Meudachadh na rioghachd (pp. 31-38), VII Rìgh Daibhidh—Blàr na Brataich (pp. 38-43), VIII Uilleam an Leòmhan (pp. 44-51), IX Alastair II agus III (pp. 52-61), X A’ Mhaighdean Lochluinneach (pp. 61-66), XI Uilleam Uallas (pp. 67-82), XII Raibeart Brus (pp. 83-101), XIII Blar Allt a’ Bhonnaich (pp. 102-10), XIV Bàs Rìgh Raibeart (pp. 110-15), XV Riaghladh na h-Alb’ ’an déigh bàis a’ Bhrusaich (pp. 115-18), XVI Daibhidh II (p. 119-25), XVII Teaghlach nan Stiùbhartach (pp. 125-29), XVIII Raibeart III (pp. 129-35), XIX Tàinistearachd Alba (pp. 136-40), XX Seumas I (pp. 141-48), XXI Seumas II (pp. 148-57), XXII Seumas III (pp. 157-64), XXIII Seumas IV (pp. 165-73), XXIV Seumas V (pp. 174-82), XXV An t-Athleasachadh (pp. 183-200), XXVI Màiri (pp. 201-12), XXVII Màiri (pp. 212-24), XXVIII Màiri (pp. 224-36), XXIX Seumas VI (pp. 237-56), XXX Seumas VI agus I (pp. 256-63), XXXI Staid Alb’ aig Aonadh an dà Chrùin (pp. 263-71), XXXII Teàrlach I (pp. 272-80), XXXIII An Cogadh Sìobhalt’ gu bàs Theàrlaich I (pp. 281-90), XXXIV A’ Chomh-fhlaitheachd (pp. 290-97), XXXV An Ath-Aiseag (pp. 297-303), XXXVI A’ Gheur-leanmhuinn (pp. 303-18), XXXVII Tuiteam an Tighe Fhuiltich (pp. 319-26), XXXVIII Uilleam III agus Màiri II (pp. 327-37), XXXIX Anna—an t-Aonadh (pp. 337-47), XL Teaghlach Bhrunsuic—Seòras I (pp. 348-54), XLI Seòras II (pp. 354-63), XLII Bliadhna Theàrlaich (pp. 364-81), LIII Blàr Chuil-Fhodair (pp. 382-402), XLIV Teicheadh Theàrlaich do’n Fhraing (pp. 402-16), XLV Seòras III (pp. 416-33), XLVI Seòras III, gu crioch a Rioghachaidh (pp. 433-46), XLVII Seòras IV (pp. 477-50), XLVIII Uilleam IV (pp. 450-55), XLIX Ban-righ Uictoria (pp. 455-64). At the end of this volume we find three pages of Barailean Mu’n Obair from various individuals and newspapers, and a single page entitled Clar Mhearachdan, noting 40 errors. |
| Sources | Much of this work has been translated from from as yet unidentified English-language texts. |
| Language | Despite Campbell’s and Coventry’s reservations about this text, it is written effectively, in an informative, yet informal, style. Within each chapter, sections are numbered consecutively. The author looks at various aspects of Scottish history, from pre-history to Queen Victoria, focusing particularly on the people and events listed in the Clar-Innsidh above. It consequently includes terms and vocabulary relevant to various periods in Scottish history. These include the Gaelic names for various names and places (as can be seen below), and terms relating to kingship, kin-based society and succession; to fighting, feuds, battles, and wars; and to the politics surrounding a number of events in Scottish history, such as those involving Robert Bruce, William Wallace, James VI and I, and Charles Edward Stuart. The author’s style of writing can be seen from this extract from the beginning of Chapter IV: ‘Chaidh Ainmeachadh cheana gu’n tug na sgriobhadairean Ròmhanach Caledònaich, no Coilltich, mar ainm air na seann Albannaich. Bha ’n t-ainm sin a’ gabhail càraidh gu h-àraidh ris a’ chuid diubh a bha chòmhnuidh ’am meadhon na dùthcha, ’s air an taobh an ear ’s an iar dheas dith. ’S iad sin is mò bha ’cur de dhragh air na coigrich ud. Cha robh iad a’ faicinn a’ bheag de luchd-àiteachaidh taobh siar na dùthcha ’s nan eilein. Ach mu’n d’ fhalbh na Ròmhanaich á Sasunn thug iad Pictich, ’n an cainnt-san Picti, mar ainm air an treubh na na treubhaibh a bha chòmhnuidh an taobh an ear-dheas Alba. Bha na Picti fo riaghladh aoin cheannaird no Phrionnsa, ’s mar a bha na h-uiread de threubhan ann air dol an ceann a’ chéile, bha iad gu maith làidir gu iad féin a dhìonadh o na Ròmhanaich’ (p. 17). This volume contains a substantial amount of terminology relating to fighting and feuds, such as ‘Rinn Mac-Bheith aramach ’an aghaidh an rìgh; chaidh an rìgh ’na aghaidh le àireamh shaighdearan gu ’cheannsachadh’ (p. 32), ‘Sgaoil an armailt air feadh na dùthcha, far an robh iad a’ marbhadh, ’s a losgadh, ’s a’ milleadh anns gach àite do’n tàinig iad’ (p. 45), ‘Le sin bhuail e co guineach e, ’s gu’n do sgoilt e ’cheann, ’s gu’n deachaidh an claidheamh sios gu cnàimh na h-amhach’ (p. 70), ‘Cha ’n ’eil iomradh air gu ’n robh uiread riamh de na Gàeil an aon Bhlàr còmhladh ris na Gaill, ’s a bh’ ann là Allt a’ Bhonnaich’ (p. 104), and ‘Ghabh Morair Dòmhnull an sin air aghart thun a mhachair Ghallda, gu Abaraidhean a losgadh, mar bhagair e roimhe sud. … Fhuair e leasachadh mòr sluaigh timchioll air Inbhernis. Ach ’n uair a bha e teannadh ris a’ bhaile a’ bha e gu ’sgrìos, thaghadh [sic, for thogadh?] àireamh maith shaighdearan fo chomannda Iarla Mhàrr. Bha Probhaist Abaraidhein ’us àireamh maith de mhuinntir a’ bhaile ’s an armailt Ghallda. Choinnich na Gaill ’s na Gàeil a chéil’ a tuath air Abaraidhean, aig amhainn Urui, dlùth air baile beag ris an abrar Harlagh. Thug Deasaich ’us Tuathaich na h-aon rioghachd deannal eagalach air a chéil’ an sin’ (p. 138). In Chapter VIII, Uilleam an Leòmhan (pp. 44-51), we hear how Uilleam was captured: ‘Chunnaic e fein ’s a luchd-coimhid àireamh mòr de mharc-shluagh a’ dlùthachadh riù, ’s o’n bha mhaduinn ceathach shaoil leò gur buidheann de’n armailt aca féin a bh’ ann a’ pilltinn air ais do’n champ. Ach fhuair iad a mach ’n uair a bha e ro anmoch gur e bh’ ann ceithir cheud trùpair Sasunnach a thàinig air son dioghaltas a dheanamh air dream sam bith a gheibheadh iad dealaicht’ o’n champ. Chuir Uilleam ’s a luchd leanmhuinn an aghaidh gu duineil air còmhrag. Ach cha robh seasamh aig trì fichead ri ceithir ceud. Fhuaradh làmh an uachdar air, chuireadh dheth ’n each e, ’s rinneadh prìosunach dheth ’am fianuis armailt féin, ’s ghiùlaineadh e an oidhche sin féin do’n Chaisteal Nomha’ (p. 45). In Chapter XIII, we find a description of the preparation for the battle of Bannockburn: ‘Bha righ Raibeart a nis an déigh an t-arm Albannach a tharruing an òrdugh o dheas gu tuath, air làthraich a thaighe féin, ’s a bha fios aig a bhi ro fhàbharrach. Bha e air àireamh mòr shlochd a chladhach ré na h-oidhch’, anns an talamh chòmhnard, tre ’m feumadh an eachdraidh Shasunnach ruith anns a bhi ’dol a chòmhnadh nam fear-bogha, agus beòil nan slochd a chòmhdach thairis a rìs leis na sgrathaibh a bha e air thoirt asd’ an toiseach. Agus far nach robh slochd bha bioran geura de fhiodh cruaidh an so ’s an sud air an sàthadh ’s an talamh’ (p. 105). In Chapter XXXIII, An Cogadh Sìobhalt’ gu bàs Theàrlaich I (pp. 281-90), we find ‘Fhuair Tearlach còrr ’us fichead mìle saighdear air an cur ’an uidheam, agus àireamh réisimeidean marc-shluaigh, agus càbhlach lionmhor a sheol gu Lìbhte’ (p. 281). This text also contains references to the Church, often in chapters which also deal with fighting. For example, in Chapter VII, Rìgh Daibhidh—Blàr na Brataich (pp. 38-43), we find ‘Rinn Turstan, ard-easbuig Iorc, air son armailt a thional gus na h-Albannaich a choinneachadh. Chruinnich e na h-àrd-uaislean ’am baile Iorc, ’s shuidhich e là trasgaidh sòluimte. Dh’àithn e do na h-uil’ a b’ urrainn armachd a ghiùlan, éiridh “gus an eaglais a dhionadh o na borbanaich.” Gheall e tearnadh do na h-uile a thuiteadh ’s a’ chath’ (p. 42). In Chapter VIII, Uilleam an Leòmhan (pp. 44-51), we find ‘fhuair e Bula o’n Phàp’ a’ ceadachadh dha an rioghachd ud a cheannsachadh’ (p. 46), ‘Goirid an déigh do Richard tighinn a dh’ionnsuidh na caithreach rùnaich e dhol do’n àird an ear a dh’fhuadachadh nan Sarasach a mach á Palestin, gus am fearann sin a thoirt do na Criosduidhibh’ (p. 47). Chapter XXV, An t-Athleasachadh (pp. 183-200), begins the story of the Reformation. This chapter covers early resistance to Luther’s teaching, e.g.: ‘Fhuair na h-easbuigean Pàpanach Achd air a ghiùlan tre Phàrlamaid Alba, ’s a’ bhliadhna 1525, nach feudadh duine sam bith leabhraichean Lutheir a cheannach no leughadh; ’s nach feudadh tearc no lionmhor, a bhi ’deasboireachd mu theagasgan Lutheir, ach a mhàin fo shealladh luchd-dreuchd na h-eaglais’ (p. 185). In Chapter XXVI, Màiri (pp. 201-12), we find ‘Chunncas leis na h-uile nach robh seasamh cas aig na sgriobtuiribh gu bualadh air saobh theagasgaibh ’us cleachdaidhibh na Pàpanachd. Dh’ aidich e’n làthair nan uile, nach e mhàin gu’n robh iad clì, ach gu’n robh e soilleir gu leòir dha féin gu’m b’ i ’n eaglais Phàpanach,—eadar cheann ’us bhuill mar bha i ann—an t-Ana-criosd’ (p. 209). This volume also contains extended discussions of contemporary politics, which frequently involved religious dissension. For example, in Chapter XXIX, Seumas VI (pp. 237-56), we are told: ‘Choinnich a’ Phàrlamaid goirid an déigh dha ’n Tàinistearachd fhaotainn, agus rinneadh laghan ’s a’ Phàrlamaid sin a bha gu maith fàbharrach do aobhar an Ath-leasachaidh. Anns an t-seisean so dhaingnicheadh gach lagh a bh’ air an deanamh o’n bhliadhna 1560 air taobh nam Pròstanach ’s an aghaidh nam Pàpanach, ’s mar an ceudna nach bitheadh neach sam bith air a chrùnadh ’na rìgh Alba gun a mhionnan a thoirt gu’n cumadh e suas an creideamh Pròstanach’ (p. 237). In Chapter XLV, Seòras III (pp. 416-33), we find ‘Le leth-sgeulaibh dubha de ’n t-seòrsa so, ’s le bhi cumail a mach gu ’n robh na Pàganaich sona gu leòr mar bhà iad, thug iad cùl an doruis do aobhar a’ Mhisionari’ (p. 426). In Chapter XLVI, Seòras III, gu crioch a Rioghachaidh (pp. 433-46), we find ‘Anns a’ bhliadhna 1834 dhaingnich a’ Phàrlamaid Reachd leis an robh na Daoine Dubha ’bha ’na an tràillibh ’s na h-Innsibh a ’s iar air an cur gu bràth saor o fhòirneirt ’us ain-tighearnas an luchd-sàrachaidh’ (p. 454). Above all, this volume contains discussion of the most important people, places and events in Scottish history. For example, in Chapter IV, Na Pictich—Na Sgaothaich—Callum-Cille (pp. 17-23), we find ‘’s a’ bhliadhna 503 A.D. thàinig dream de na Sgaothaich a nall á Eirinn ’n an trì buidhnibh beaga, fo thriùir cheann-feadhna. Ghabh fear dhiubh sin d’ am b’ ainm Fearghas, sealbh air Ceann-tire le ’luchd-leanmhuinn’ (p. 19). In Chapter V, Alba ’tighinn gu bhi ’na h-aon rioghachd (pp. 24-31), we find ‘B’e Coinneach, ris an abradh na bàird Coinneach Cruaidh, a bha ’na righ air taobh ’s iar Alba an uair sin. Mar is tric their luchd-eachdraidh Coinneach MacAlpinn ris. B’e Alpinn ainm ’athair. Phòs Eocha, no mar a their na Laidinnich, Achaius athair Alpinn, nighean righ nam Picteach. B’e ainm an righ sin Unguis, agus ainm a nighean, a thàinig gu bhi na ban-righ aig Achaius, Unguid’ (p. 25), and ‘Bha dream eile dhiubh mu ’n àm sin an déidh sealbh a ghabhail air roinn mhòr de Shasunn, agus fadheòidh thàinig saighdear ainmeil ris an abrar Cainiut, mac Suen, righ Lochluinn, gu bhi ’na righ air Sasunn’ (p. 25). In Chapter VI, Meudachadh na rioghachd (pp. 31-38), we find ‘Dh’ fhag righ Donnachadh dithis mac, ainm an fhir bu shine Callum, da ’m bu cho-ainm Ceann-mòr, ainm an fhir a b’ òige Domhnull Bàn. Theich Callum Ceann-mòr gu deas gu ruig Sasunn; theich Domhnull Bàn gu tuath do eileanaibh Innse-gall. Bha iad le chéile, na ’m fògarraich, fear a tuath ’s fear a deas ré nan cùig bliadhna deug a bha Mac-beith air a’ chaithir’ (p. 33). In Chapter XII, Raibeart Brus (pp. 83-101), we find ‘Mharcaich Raibeart Brus a null o’n bhaile sin còmhladh ri dithis chàirdibh, Lindsi agus Sìr Ròger Circpatric, air los bruidhinn a dheanamh ris a’ Choimineach. Thug e fiadhachadh dha a choinneachadh aig eaglais nan Glas-bhràithrean’ (p. 85). [A footnote glosses the last word as ‘Greyfriars’.] In Chapter XXVI, Màiri (pp. 201-12), we find ‘B’e Màiri ainm an naoidhein seo a thàinig a nis gu bhi ’na ban-oighr’ air crùn Alba. Thòisich a trioblaidean aig a’ chreitheil, ’s dhlùth lean iad rithe dh’ionnsuidh na h-uaighe. Nochd an Càrdinal litir leis an robh e féin air òrduchadh, a réir toil an rìgh, ’na Thàinisteir air an rioghachd, agus ’na fhear-gleidhidh pearsa na ban-righ òig gus an tigeadh i gu aois’ (p. 201). In Chapter XLI, Seòras II (pp. 354-63), we find ‘Lean Sìr Raibeart Ualpol air a bhi ’na phrìomh mhinistear crùin Shasuinn o’n bhliadhna 1720, gus a’ bhliadhna 1741. B’ e aig an àm cheudna, ceud Mhorair na Cist-ionmhais. Bha e ’na dhuine glé chomasach, ach bha e anabarrach truaillidh ’s an t-seadh a bheil na Sasunnaich a’ co-chur an fhocail sin riu-sin a tha gnàthachadh an cumhachd le bhi gabhail ’s a’ toirt bhrìbean’ (p. 360). In Chapter LIII, Blàr Chuil-Fhodair (pp. 382-402), we find ‘Chuireadh iomadh blàr ’an Alb’ a b’ fhuiltiche na blàr Chuil-Fhodair, eadhon leis gach brùidealachd a thaisbein an Diùc ’an déigh an là. Ach cha do chuireadh blàr riamh ann, mur robh Allt a’ Bhonnaich ’na aonar, is mò ris an robh an urra, ’s is mò a thàinig ’na lorg, na blàr Chuil-Fhodair’ (p. 390). In sum, this text is a good source for vocabulary relating to Scottish history down to the time of Queen Victoria, particularly in relation to the people, politics and conflicts of the time, and in relation to the Reformation. The author has had to exert himself to find Gaelic expressions to convey the full meaning of his source-text, which is in general to the advantage of lexicographers. However, Editors should note that this text contains some instances of idioms and expressions that arguably derive directly from English usage, e.g. cum suas ‘keep up’ in nach cùm iad suas litreachd ’n an cànain féin, ciod sam bith eil’ a chumas iad suas’ (p. iv). |
| Orthography | This text displays a relatively complex sentence structure and a relatively literary level of discourse (e.g. dative plurals in -(a)ibh are normal), but at the same time employs some colloquial and even dialectally marked forms, e.g. Alb’ (nominative or genitive) as opposed to Alba or Alba(i)nn in standard literary usage; fhuair iad a mach ’n uair a bha e ro anmoch (p. 45); thug [iad] deannal eagalach air a chéil’ (p. 138). The orthography is fairly typical of the mid to late nineteenth century. There are, however, some idiosyncrasies, e.g. the preposition (ann) an is written ’an; is the forms a bhi and a bhith are used indiscriminately for the verbal noun of bi; apostrophes are allowed to proliferate, e.g. in cha’n’eil. Both grave and acute accents are used, frequently though not with complete consistency, to mark historically long or dialectally lengthened vowels. |
| Edition | First edition. |
| Other Sources | |
| Further Reading | Coventry, Teàrlach, ‘An Clo-Bheairt Ceilteach’, Gairm, 122 (1983), 137-50. |
| Credits | |
| Link Label | Digital version created by National Library of Scotland |
| Link | http://digital.nls.uk/early-gaelic-book-collections/pageturner.cfm?id=76326621 |
| Download File | 106.pdf |
| NumWords | 172759 |
