A Stroll in Lochaber

Inverlochy Castle by Horatio MacCulloch

On occasion Alexander Carmichael would note down short diary entries about something that must have moved in some way or another. On 28 September 1890, Carmichael happened to be in Lochaber and was in the company of John MacCallum, the Baillie. Not a great deal can be said about his short description other than to say Carmichael presumably had enjoyed himself in the company of the Baillie and would also have been delighted with the impressive scenery. The next couple of days Carmichael spent in Brae Lochaber on a collecting trip where he took down material from Archibald MacInnes, Ishbel Mackintosh (both in Inverroy) on 1 October and Ann and Mary MacDonald in Bohuntine in Glenroy on 2 October. Coincidentally, the first item, Rann romh Urnaigh (‘Rune Before Prayer’),  to appear in volume 1 of Carmina Gadelica was ascribed to Ann MacDonald née Campbell (1818–1897), described by Carmichael as a crofter’s daughter living at Bohuntineville.

Along with Bail[l]e John Maccallum

went to see old I^[onnor] Lochaidh Castle
after that walked to Banaovi [Banavie]. In the
evening Baile Maccallum drove me
with carriage and pair up Glenevis
to head of Glen One half or more right
round Ben-nevis. Magnificent scenery
The nevis runs level and land on
either bank level for many miles.

Reference:
CW1, f. 9r.
Carmina Gadelica, i, pp. 2–3.
Carmina Gadelica, ii, p. 374.
Image:
Inverlochy Castle painted in 1857 by Horatio MacCulloch (1805–1867).