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Electric Scotland News
It is with deep sadness that the Clan MacDougall announces the death of Madam Morag Hadfield MacDougall of MacDougall, Chief and Head of the Honourable Clan MacDougall.
Madam Morag MacDougall, the 31st Chief of the Clan, succeeded her aunt in 1990. She served her clan with dedication, quiet strength, and a profound sense of responsibility to heritage and community.
In 1998, she founded the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust, entrusting part of the Dunollie estate to charitable stewardship to safeguard Dunollie Castle and the clan’s legacy for future generations, a lasting contribution to both the worldwide clan, Scotland and community of Oban.
Madam Morag MacDougall was, and will remain, a much loved mother and grandmother, whose warmth and care were deeply felt by her family and all who knew her.
Further details regarding commemorations of Madam MacDougall of MacDougall and the formal arrangements for her succession by Robin MacDougall who will become the 32nd clan chief, will be shared in due course.
----------
Enigma Machine
Not sure how many of you remember this puzzle that we featured on Electric Canadian some years ago now. We also had a forum where Doug Ross would provide hints as we posted one each week for a couple of years.
You can see all the puzzles at:
https://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/enigma/
I might add that there is a thread in our Community which went on for some time as each puzzle was offered. You can see these at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...histle-whistle or once there use the search engine to find them.
---------
My Canadian Experience
Continued to add videos and this week covered topics such as: The End of Oil: How Canada’s Helium-3 Discovery Changes Global Power, Fusion Energy Council of Canada, Fusion 2030 - A Roadmap for Canada, Ontario furthers bid to host new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, Record-breaking storm cancels school across southern Ontario, PM Mark Carney announces new affordability measures, Premier Ford makes announcement in Brantford, Carney REJECTS Trump's FAKE Narrative That Carney Backed Down, Electricity Canada presents 2026 state of the industry report , Ontario and New Brunswick premiers tout economic cooperation, CANADA'S TRIPLE THREAT: Record Rain, Historic Snow & Deadly -45°C Wind Chills Hit Simultaneously, Algoma Steel signs $345M deal tied to Korean firm winning Canada submarine contract, B.C. Premier David Eby on Building a New Economy, Prime minister, premiers hold news conference after meeting in Ottawa.
You can view these and read about them at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add29.htm
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers and other media
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Here is what caught my eye this week...
It's time to end the great university con
Decades on from Tony Blair’s famous 50% target, university remains the dominant route for school leavers. But should this still be the case? According to new research, the value of university degrees, especially relative to apprenticeships, has deteriorated rapidly over recent years.
Read more at:
https://conservativehome.com/2026/01...niversity-con/
How I learned Scotland is sitting on transformational wealth while investing £2.6 billion in energy
Scotland’s energy transition is a smart bet for both investors and the planet, writes Eric Knight
Read more at:
https://archive.is/wYKCX#selection-575.0-575.97
How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one?
Eradicating child poverty? Growing the economy? Tackling climate crisis? Ensuring quality public services? Reviewing the Scottish Budget and Spending Review 2026, John McLaren finds a weary government’s major ‘achievement’ has been to hide the cuts coming down the line after the election.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2026/01/how-w...cottishbudget/
Conrad Black: Carney's middle powers plan a complete fantasy
The prime minister wags his finger at the Americans
Read more at:
https://archive.is/hwtYx
Annual Up Helly Aa Viking Festival Torch Parade in Lerwick, Shetland
Hundreds of Shetlanders take to the streets of Lerwick, Shetland, carrying flaming torches to celebrate the ancient Viking festival of Up Helly Aa. The festival, a centuries-old tradition, marks the end of the Yule season with parades, fire displays, and the burning of a Viking longship replica. Experience the spectacle live as participants honor their Norse heritage with music, costumes, and dramatic torch-lit processions.
Watch this at:
https://www.youtube.com/live/yZ3O5nH...fZ5ntcls0JjdNr
Canada's conservative leader faces leadership test
And grapples with widening his appeal
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdexjngngdgo
Holyrood poll sees SNP vote share drop and Reform UK surge ahead of Labour
The SNP regional vote share falls to a 23-year low, while Reform UK surges ahead of Scottish Labour, according to a bombshell poll.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/9qjXf
Dream job alert at Banjo and Ro’s 'remote and beautiful' Boat House cafe on Ulva
Long summer nights, the freshest seafood, happy customers and the most beautiful surrounding beckon for those lucky enough to land a job on a tiny Scottish island.
Read more at:
https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/f...n-ulva-5490758
Electric Canadian
Energy Fact Book
2025 - 2026 (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/img/...-2025-2026.pdf
Forging Canada's Electricity Future
2026 State of the Canadian Electricity Industry (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/img/...ital-Jan26.pdf
Rod and Gun in Canada
Added volume 8 which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/magazines/rodandgun.htm
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 25th day of January 2026 - Friendship
By The Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...026-friendship
The Most Versatile Plane in The World?
A video which I've added to the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...rial/index.htm
The Beaver Magazine
Added No. 4 Outfit 265 March 1935 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...rMarch1935.pdf
Electric Scotland
University of St Andrews Global Burns Night 2026
I added this video to our Burns page along with a portrait of Robert Burns by Raeburn that has been missing for some 220 years. The video includes an account of how it was found.
You can watch this at:
https://electricscotland.com/burns/index.html
Scottish animals and where to find them
Added this video to our Agriculture and Wildlife page at:
https://electricscotland.com/nature/index.htm
West Highland Notes & Queries
Notes & Queries of the Society of West Highland and Historical Research. Added the first issue and also the latest two issues for you to read at the foot of the page.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/books/whindex.htm
Garfield Park, Illinois, Robert Burns statue update
Got in an email with a video link which I've added to our page about the statue.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...ns_lives71.htm
McCoss
Have received an update on the history of this name with more to come.
You can explore this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mccoss.html
Classic Tales
Serious and Lively with critical essays on the merits and reputation of the authors in 4 volumes (1807)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...assictales.htm
History of the Earldoms of Strathern, Monteith, and Airth
With a report of the claim of Robert Barclay Allandice, Esq. to the Earldom of Airth by Sir Harris Nicolas, G.C.M.G. (1842) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...-and-Airth.pdf
A Genealogical and Historical Account of the Family of MacDonald of Sanda
By Family of MacDonald of Sanda (1825) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...d-of-Sanda.pdf
An Evening with Burns and Ambition
Launching the Fundraising Campaign of the Society of Antiquarians of Scotland
You can watch this at:
https://youtu.be/pWB350z9jfY?si=mWZdOKvcuaF0fvIb
Record of the 9th [Volunteer] Battalion (Highlanders)
The Royal Scots or The raising of a volunteer regiment and its conversion into a full strength battalion of the Territorial Force 1900 - 1909 by James Ferguson, Colonel, Late 9th Volunteer Battalion (Highlanders) The Royal Scots (1909) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...RoyalScots.pdf
Story
THE TALE OF THE HOODIE
From Ann MacGilvray, Islay. - April 1859
There was ere now a farmer, and he had three daughters. They were waulking (Postadh. A method of washing clothes practised in the Highlands viz., by dancing on them barefoot in a tub of water.) clothes at a river. A hoodie (Hoodie – the Royston crow - a very cornmon bird in the Highlands; a sly, familiar, knowing bird, which plays a great part in these stories. He is common in most parts of Europe.) came round and he said to eldest one, "M-POS-U-MI, Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?” "I won't wed thee, thou ugly brute. An ugly brute is the hoodie," said she. He came to the second one on the morrow, and said to her, "M-POS-U-MI, wilt thou wed me?" "Not I, indeed," said she; "an ugly brute is the hoodie." The third day he said to the youngest, M-POS-U-MI, "Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?" "I will wed thee," said she; "a pretty creature is the hoodie," and on the morrow they married.
The hoodie said to her, "Whether wouldst thou rather that I should be a hoodie by day, and a man at night; or be a hoodie at night, and a man by day?” "I would rather that thou wert a man by day and a hoodie at night," says she. After this he was a splendid fellow by day, and a hoodie at night. A few days after they married he took her with him to his own house.
At the end of three quarters they had a son. In the night there came the very finest music that ever was heard about the house. Every man slept, and the child was taken away. Her father came to the door in the morning, and he asked how were all there. He was sorrowful that the child should be taken away, for fear that he should be blamed for it himself.
At the end of three quarters again they had another son. A watch as set on the house. The finest of music came, as it came before, about the house; every man slept, and the child was taken away. Her father came to the door in the morning. He asked if every thing was safe; but the child was taken away, and he did not know what to do for sorrow.
Again, at the end of three quarters they had another son. A watch was set on the house as usual. Music came about the house as it came before; every one slept, and the child was taken away. When they rose on the morrow they went to another place of rest that they had, himself and his wife, and his sister-in-law. He said to them by the way, "See that you have not forgotten any thing." The wife said, "I FORGOT MY COARSE COMB." The coach in which they were fell a withered faggot, and he went away as a hoodie.
Her two sisters returned home, and she followed after him. When he would be on a hill top, she would follow to try and catch him; and when she would reach the top of a hill, he would be in the hollow on the other side. When night came, and she was tired, she had no place of rest or dwelling; she saw a little house of light far from her, and though far from her she was not long in reaching it.
When she reached the house she stood deserted at the door. She saw a little laddie about the house, and she yearned to him exceedingly. The housewife told her to come up, that she knew her cheer and travel. She laid down, and no sooner did the day come than she rose. She went out, and when she was out, she was going from hill to hill to try if she could see a hoodie. She saw a hoodie on a hill, and when she would get on the hill the hoodie would be in the hollow, when she would go to the hollow, the hoodie would be on another hill. When the night came she had no place of rest or dwelling. She saw a little house of light far from her, and if far from her she was not long reaching it. She went to the door. She saw a laddie on the floor to whom she yearned right much. The housewife laid her to rest. No earlier came the day than she took out as she used. She passed this day as the other days. When the night came she reached a house. The housewife told her to come up, that she knew her cheer and travel, that her man had but left the house a little while, that she should be clever, that this was the last night she would see him, and not to sleep, but to strive to seize him. She slept, he came where she was, and he let fall a ring on her right hand. Now when she awoke she tried to catch hold of him, and she caught a feather of his wing. He left the feather with her, and he went away. When she rose in the morning she did not know what she should do. The housewife said that he had gone over a hill of poison over which she could not go without horseshoes on her hands and feet. She gave her man's clothes, and she told her to go to learn smithying till she should be able to make horse shoes for herself.
She learned smithying so well that she made horseshoes for her hands and feet. She went over the hill of poison. That same day after she had gone over the hill of poison, her man was to be married to the daughter of a great gentleman that was in the town.
There was a race in the town that day, and every one was to be at the race but the stranger that had come over to poison hill. The cook came to her, and he said to her, Would she go in his place to make the wedding meal, and that he might get to the race.
She said she would go. She was always watching where the bridegroom would be sitting.
She let fall the ring and the feather in the broth that was before him. With the first spoon he took up the ring, with the next he took up the feather. When the minister came to the fore to make the marriage, he would not marry till he should find out who had made ready the meal. They brought up the cook of the gentleman, and he said that this was not the cook who made ready the meal.
They brought up now the one who had made ready the meal. He said, "That now was his married wife." The spells went off him. They turned back over the hill of poison, she throwing the horse shoes behind her to him, as she went a little bit forward, and he following her. When they came back over the hill, they went to the three houses in which she had been. These were the houses of his sisters, and they took with them the three sons, and they came home to their own house, and they were happy.
Written down by Hector Maclean, schoolmaster at Ballygrant, in Islay, from the recitation of "Ann MacGilvray, a Cowal woman, married to a farmer at Kilmeny, one Angus Macgeachy from Campbelltown." Sent April 14, 1859.
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair
It is with deep sadness that the Clan MacDougall announces the death of Madam Morag Hadfield MacDougall of MacDougall, Chief and Head of the Honourable Clan MacDougall.
Madam Morag MacDougall, the 31st Chief of the Clan, succeeded her aunt in 1990. She served her clan with dedication, quiet strength, and a profound sense of responsibility to heritage and community.
In 1998, she founded the MacDougall of Dunollie Preservation Trust, entrusting part of the Dunollie estate to charitable stewardship to safeguard Dunollie Castle and the clan’s legacy for future generations, a lasting contribution to both the worldwide clan, Scotland and community of Oban.
Madam Morag MacDougall was, and will remain, a much loved mother and grandmother, whose warmth and care were deeply felt by her family and all who knew her.
Further details regarding commemorations of Madam MacDougall of MacDougall and the formal arrangements for her succession by Robin MacDougall who will become the 32nd clan chief, will be shared in due course.
----------
Enigma Machine
Not sure how many of you remember this puzzle that we featured on Electric Canadian some years ago now. We also had a forum where Doug Ross would provide hints as we posted one each week for a couple of years.
You can see all the puzzles at:
https://www.electriccanadian.com/lifestyle/enigma/
I might add that there is a thread in our Community which went on for some time as each puzzle was offered. You can see these at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...histle-whistle or once there use the search engine to find them.
---------
My Canadian Experience
Continued to add videos and this week covered topics such as: The End of Oil: How Canada’s Helium-3 Discovery Changes Global Power, Fusion Energy Council of Canada, Fusion 2030 - A Roadmap for Canada, Ontario furthers bid to host new Defence, Security and Resilience Bank, Record-breaking storm cancels school across southern Ontario, PM Mark Carney announces new affordability measures, Premier Ford makes announcement in Brantford, Carney REJECTS Trump's FAKE Narrative That Carney Backed Down, Electricity Canada presents 2026 state of the industry report , Ontario and New Brunswick premiers tout economic cooperation, CANADA'S TRIPLE THREAT: Record Rain, Historic Snow & Deadly -45°C Wind Chills Hit Simultaneously, Algoma Steel signs $345M deal tied to Korean firm winning Canada submarine contract, B.C. Premier David Eby on Building a New Economy, Prime minister, premiers hold news conference after meeting in Ottawa.
You can view these and read about them at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/canada_add29.htm
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers and other media
I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Here is what caught my eye this week...
It's time to end the great university con
Decades on from Tony Blair’s famous 50% target, university remains the dominant route for school leavers. But should this still be the case? According to new research, the value of university degrees, especially relative to apprenticeships, has deteriorated rapidly over recent years.
Read more at:
https://conservativehome.com/2026/01...niversity-con/
How I learned Scotland is sitting on transformational wealth while investing £2.6 billion in energy
Scotland’s energy transition is a smart bet for both investors and the planet, writes Eric Knight
Read more at:
https://archive.is/wYKCX#selection-575.0-575.97
How will next SNP government tackle fiscal mess left by this one?
Eradicating child poverty? Growing the economy? Tackling climate crisis? Ensuring quality public services? Reviewing the Scottish Budget and Spending Review 2026, John McLaren finds a weary government’s major ‘achievement’ has been to hide the cuts coming down the line after the election.
Read more at:
https://sceptical.scot/2026/01/how-w...cottishbudget/
Conrad Black: Carney's middle powers plan a complete fantasy
The prime minister wags his finger at the Americans
Read more at:
https://archive.is/hwtYx
Annual Up Helly Aa Viking Festival Torch Parade in Lerwick, Shetland
Hundreds of Shetlanders take to the streets of Lerwick, Shetland, carrying flaming torches to celebrate the ancient Viking festival of Up Helly Aa. The festival, a centuries-old tradition, marks the end of the Yule season with parades, fire displays, and the burning of a Viking longship replica. Experience the spectacle live as participants honor their Norse heritage with music, costumes, and dramatic torch-lit processions.
Watch this at:
https://www.youtube.com/live/yZ3O5nH...fZ5ntcls0JjdNr
Canada's conservative leader faces leadership test
And grapples with widening his appeal
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cdexjngngdgo
Holyrood poll sees SNP vote share drop and Reform UK surge ahead of Labour
The SNP regional vote share falls to a 23-year low, while Reform UK surges ahead of Scottish Labour, according to a bombshell poll.
Read more at:
https://archive.is/9qjXf
Dream job alert at Banjo and Ro’s 'remote and beautiful' Boat House cafe on Ulva
Long summer nights, the freshest seafood, happy customers and the most beautiful surrounding beckon for those lucky enough to land a job on a tiny Scottish island.
Read more at:
https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/f...n-ulva-5490758
Electric Canadian
Energy Fact Book
2025 - 2026 (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/img/...-2025-2026.pdf
Forging Canada's Electricity Future
2026 State of the Canadian Electricity Industry (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/img/...ital-Jan26.pdf
Rod and Gun in Canada
Added volume 8 which you can read at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/magazines/rodandgun.htm
Thoughts on a Sunday Morning - the 25th day of January 2026 - Friendship
By The Rev. Nola Crewe
You can watch this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...026-friendship
The Most Versatile Plane in The World?
A video which I've added to the foot of the page at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...rial/index.htm
The Beaver Magazine
Added No. 4 Outfit 265 March 1935 (pdf)
You can read this issue at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...rMarch1935.pdf
Electric Scotland
University of St Andrews Global Burns Night 2026
I added this video to our Burns page along with a portrait of Robert Burns by Raeburn that has been missing for some 220 years. The video includes an account of how it was found.
You can watch this at:
https://electricscotland.com/burns/index.html
Scottish animals and where to find them
Added this video to our Agriculture and Wildlife page at:
https://electricscotland.com/nature/index.htm
West Highland Notes & Queries
Notes & Queries of the Society of West Highland and Historical Research. Added the first issue and also the latest two issues for you to read at the foot of the page.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/books/whindex.htm
Garfield Park, Illinois, Robert Burns statue update
Got in an email with a video link which I've added to our page about the statue.
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/familyt...ns_lives71.htm
McCoss
Have received an update on the history of this name with more to come.
You can explore this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mccoss.html
Classic Tales
Serious and Lively with critical essays on the merits and reputation of the authors in 4 volumes (1807)
You can read these volumes at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...assictales.htm
History of the Earldoms of Strathern, Monteith, and Airth
With a report of the claim of Robert Barclay Allandice, Esq. to the Earldom of Airth by Sir Harris Nicolas, G.C.M.G. (1842) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...-and-Airth.pdf
A Genealogical and Historical Account of the Family of MacDonald of Sanda
By Family of MacDonald of Sanda (1825) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclan...d-of-Sanda.pdf
An Evening with Burns and Ambition
Launching the Fundraising Campaign of the Society of Antiquarians of Scotland
You can watch this at:
https://youtu.be/pWB350z9jfY?si=mWZdOKvcuaF0fvIb
Record of the 9th [Volunteer] Battalion (Highlanders)
The Royal Scots or The raising of a volunteer regiment and its conversion into a full strength battalion of the Territorial Force 1900 - 1909 by James Ferguson, Colonel, Late 9th Volunteer Battalion (Highlanders) The Royal Scots (1909) (pdf)
You can read this at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...RoyalScots.pdf
Story
THE TALE OF THE HOODIE
From Ann MacGilvray, Islay. - April 1859
There was ere now a farmer, and he had three daughters. They were waulking (Postadh. A method of washing clothes practised in the Highlands viz., by dancing on them barefoot in a tub of water.) clothes at a river. A hoodie (Hoodie – the Royston crow - a very cornmon bird in the Highlands; a sly, familiar, knowing bird, which plays a great part in these stories. He is common in most parts of Europe.) came round and he said to eldest one, "M-POS-U-MI, Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?” "I won't wed thee, thou ugly brute. An ugly brute is the hoodie," said she. He came to the second one on the morrow, and said to her, "M-POS-U-MI, wilt thou wed me?" "Not I, indeed," said she; "an ugly brute is the hoodie." The third day he said to the youngest, M-POS-U-MI, "Wilt thou wed me, farmer's daughter?" "I will wed thee," said she; "a pretty creature is the hoodie," and on the morrow they married.
The hoodie said to her, "Whether wouldst thou rather that I should be a hoodie by day, and a man at night; or be a hoodie at night, and a man by day?” "I would rather that thou wert a man by day and a hoodie at night," says she. After this he was a splendid fellow by day, and a hoodie at night. A few days after they married he took her with him to his own house.
At the end of three quarters they had a son. In the night there came the very finest music that ever was heard about the house. Every man slept, and the child was taken away. Her father came to the door in the morning, and he asked how were all there. He was sorrowful that the child should be taken away, for fear that he should be blamed for it himself.
At the end of three quarters again they had another son. A watch as set on the house. The finest of music came, as it came before, about the house; every man slept, and the child was taken away. Her father came to the door in the morning. He asked if every thing was safe; but the child was taken away, and he did not know what to do for sorrow.
Again, at the end of three quarters they had another son. A watch was set on the house as usual. Music came about the house as it came before; every one slept, and the child was taken away. When they rose on the morrow they went to another place of rest that they had, himself and his wife, and his sister-in-law. He said to them by the way, "See that you have not forgotten any thing." The wife said, "I FORGOT MY COARSE COMB." The coach in which they were fell a withered faggot, and he went away as a hoodie.
Her two sisters returned home, and she followed after him. When he would be on a hill top, she would follow to try and catch him; and when she would reach the top of a hill, he would be in the hollow on the other side. When night came, and she was tired, she had no place of rest or dwelling; she saw a little house of light far from her, and though far from her she was not long in reaching it.
When she reached the house she stood deserted at the door. She saw a little laddie about the house, and she yearned to him exceedingly. The housewife told her to come up, that she knew her cheer and travel. She laid down, and no sooner did the day come than she rose. She went out, and when she was out, she was going from hill to hill to try if she could see a hoodie. She saw a hoodie on a hill, and when she would get on the hill the hoodie would be in the hollow, when she would go to the hollow, the hoodie would be on another hill. When the night came she had no place of rest or dwelling. She saw a little house of light far from her, and if far from her she was not long reaching it. She went to the door. She saw a laddie on the floor to whom she yearned right much. The housewife laid her to rest. No earlier came the day than she took out as she used. She passed this day as the other days. When the night came she reached a house. The housewife told her to come up, that she knew her cheer and travel, that her man had but left the house a little while, that she should be clever, that this was the last night she would see him, and not to sleep, but to strive to seize him. She slept, he came where she was, and he let fall a ring on her right hand. Now when she awoke she tried to catch hold of him, and she caught a feather of his wing. He left the feather with her, and he went away. When she rose in the morning she did not know what she should do. The housewife said that he had gone over a hill of poison over which she could not go without horseshoes on her hands and feet. She gave her man's clothes, and she told her to go to learn smithying till she should be able to make horse shoes for herself.
She learned smithying so well that she made horseshoes for her hands and feet. She went over the hill of poison. That same day after she had gone over the hill of poison, her man was to be married to the daughter of a great gentleman that was in the town.
There was a race in the town that day, and every one was to be at the race but the stranger that had come over to poison hill. The cook came to her, and he said to her, Would she go in his place to make the wedding meal, and that he might get to the race.
She said she would go. She was always watching where the bridegroom would be sitting.
She let fall the ring and the feather in the broth that was before him. With the first spoon he took up the ring, with the next he took up the feather. When the minister came to the fore to make the marriage, he would not marry till he should find out who had made ready the meal. They brought up the cook of the gentleman, and he said that this was not the cook who made ready the meal.
They brought up now the one who had made ready the meal. He said, "That now was his married wife." The spells went off him. They turned back over the hill of poison, she throwing the horse shoes behind her to him, as she went a little bit forward, and he following her. When they came back over the hill, they went to the three houses in which she had been. These were the houses of his sisters, and they took with them the three sons, and they came home to their own house, and they were happy.
Written down by Hector Maclean, schoolmaster at Ballygrant, in Islay, from the recitation of "Ann MacGilvray, a Cowal woman, married to a farmer at Kilmeny, one Angus Macgeachy from Campbelltown." Sent April 14, 1859.
END.
Weekend is almost here and hope it's a good one for you.
Alastair