Notebook in octavo format in marbled cardboard covers, wanting the front cover. In the hand of Dugald MacNicol, with some of the songs possibly his own compositions. Length marks, where present, are written as horizontal lines.

Paginated 1-6, 6-51 by the scribe, followed by a number of loose leaves, possibly missing some.

Containing a collection of Gaelic songs, some of which are dated 1810, 1811 and 1816 respectively. Including four songs ascribed to Seumas Mac Gille-Sheathanaich (Shaw), Bàrd Loch nan Eala (pages 7, 9, 32, 36), and Lachlann dubh MacLachlain in Morvern (p. 28). A number of songs seem to be Dugald's own compositions, dated to Achlian, 1810, or Barbados 1816.

Described in Mackechnie, 'Catalogue of Gaelic Manuscripts', vol. 1, pages 325-326.

The contents are as follows:

[Anonymous]. Song without title, beginning 'Allen duinn, a laoidh, 's a leinni', with refrain of 3 lines (marked 'Fonn'), beginning 'Allen duin o io shiubhlain leat'. 13 stanzas of 1 line, the last repeating the first. A version of "Ailein Duinn" was first published in John Gillies's collection 'Sean Dain, agus orain Ghaidhealach' (Perth 1786), pages 48-49. Page 1.

[Anonymous]. Song without title, beginning 'Là domh 's mi buain an dearcaig'. 11 stanzas of 1 line, with a refrain written in two lines, marked 'fonn' and beginning 'Ae ho iri horun oho". Pages 1-2.

[Anonymous]. Song without title, beginning 'Fhuair mi cairid eir bheggan caoire'. 27 stanzas chain-linked, with only the new line given for each stanza, with a refrain of 3 lines, marked 'Fonn', beginning 'Ao gur mishe tha fo mhighean'. Pages 2-3.

[MacNicol, Dugald?]. Song without heading, but described in a footnote as "Oran a raonadh ann 'n Barbados Agust 1st 1816". Beginning 'Tha mi 'n dras ann 's na Hinshean / 'S cha be 'n taite lic mhian leom / 'S mor a bh'fearr a bhi 'n tir nan beann'. 25 seven-stress strophes written in three lines each, each stanza to be sung twice, with the first one to be sung again at the end. With a refrain, written in 3 lines and marked 'Fonn', beginning 'Tha mo bhreccan air shilleadh'. Pages 3-6[2].

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning ''S mi 'm saoidh eir leth chreig a bhilli / Ho ro ho, e ho, hi ri ho roho, hilein, 's hog u'. 8 stanzas of one line each. The first stanza, which gives the full refrain, is headed "Fonn. Page 6[2].

[Anonymous. Fonn air mo Mhàiri laghaich]. Song without heading, beginning 'Founn eir mo Mhairi laoich; foun ora, feil ora, etc.' 5 stanzas written as one line each. Page 6[2].

Mac Gille-Sheathanaich, Seumas (Seumas Shaw). Song headed "Oran le Shemus Shaw", beginning 'Gun scribhin litir churamach / Eir falbh le gnothach diurasach'. 7 stanzas of 4 lines, with a 4-line refrain marked "fonn", beginning 'She falbh na haoiche b' aineabh leat'. Pages 7-8.

[MacNicol, Dugald?]. Song headed "Oran a raonadh ann 'n Achlian March 6th 1816. Begins ''S mor mo mhullad 's m' iumagain / 'S in iomrich ga gluasad.' 8 stanzas of 4 lines, the last two lines of each stanza intended to be repeated as the first two lines of the following stanza. With a refrain or tune statement, marked "Fonn", 'E holive o horin o iri ri uo ho roho ho Iurive i". Pages 11-13.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning ''S beg iunidh mi bhi curamach / Mun ghille dhuth a rathil o etc.' 6 stanzas of 1 line, with a 3-line refrain marked 'Fonn' beginning ''N gille duth o rathil o'. Page 8.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Chuinig mi 'n de seachad suas u'. 5 stanzas written as 1 line each, with a 2-line refrain, marked "fonn eile", 'Run 'n ghill eir 'n bheil ruairt[?]'. Page 8.

Mac Gille-Sheathanaich, Seumas (Seumas Shaw). Song headed "Oran do Chaisteal Chaolchuirn" le Shemus Shaw. Beginning 'Bha mi 'n diugh aig abbir shorailt / 'S dh'fuirrich mi treus mhor munguairst de'. 14 stanzas of 4 lines. Pages 9-10.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Shid 'n bata sheach 'n Budha / 'S i na shiubhal fo tan eideamh.' 5 stanzas of 2 lines, with a refrain, marked "Fonn", written in one line, 'Horin ohi na i uo, Iurive o ro hug eile &c'. Pages 13-14.

[Anonymous]. Song with no heading, beginning 'Gur a mithich domh eiridh / Dh fiach 'n leir domh na haidhn'. 7 stanzas of 2 lines, with a refrain, marked "Fonn", of 2 lines beginning 'Horo hug gur he 'n ladh e'. Page 14.

[Anonymous. 'S uallach na fir gu Bràigh Gharaidh.] Song without heading, beginning 'Gur a mishe tha gur tursach / 'S mi ri poist 'n tir a ghrudair'. 7 stanzas of 4 lines, with a 2-line refrain, marked "Fonn", beginning ''S uallach na Fir gu Braid Gharridh'. Pages 15-16.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Cha chaddal domh 's cha mhian dusgi / Cha mhirreadh domh 's cha mhian sugri'. 18 lines (9 couplets?), with a 2-line refrain, marked "Fonn", beginning 'Hillein 's ho il o, hillin o ro ho ho'. Page 16.

[MacNicol, Dugald?] Song headed "Oran a raonadh ann 'n Barbados, Eillen ann 'n Inshean na haird niar; Aug[us]t 12th 1816 [6?]. Eir fonn Tha na fir a goll, tha na fir a gol etc. / Tha na fir a gol uisge beathe 's beair." 21 stanzas of 4 lines, beginning ''S faddalach 'n aoiche, 's neo chaoineil i rium / 'S tric mi eir 'n lebbi, gur mo chaddal trom'. Pages 17-20.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Chi mi, chi mi, chi mi thall ud'. 14 stanzas of 1 line, with a refrain of 3 lines (written as 2), marked "Sheisd", beginning 'Hi rium bo, hil oro ho, hi rium bo'. Published in James Munro, 'An t-Oranaiche Gaelach' (Glasgow 1829), pages 42-43. Pages 20-21.

MacNicol, Dugald. Song headed "Oran a raonadh ann 'n Achlian a mhaddin a dhfhag mi e, agus mi a shealag Mhaidhichin. Eir fhounn fein." Begins 'Gur mor mo chuish mhullaid 's mi fagail mo dhucha'. 5 stanzas of 4 lines, with a refrain of 4 lines: 'Farilal ohoro iurive o hu oro [3x] / 'S mor mo chuish mhullaid cha 'n urin mi shealag'. Pages 21-22.

[Anonymous. Air a' ghille tha mo rùn.]. Song headed "Oran le nighin aig ann a Muille da leannan". Begins ''S tric mo shuil eir a chaol / 'S eir gach taobh ni iad tighin'. 5 stanzas of 4 lines, with a refrain, marked "Founn", of 4 lines written as 2, beginning 'Eir a ghille tha mo run, tha mo run eir a ghille'. Pages 22-23.

[MacNicol, Dugald]. Song headed "Oran a raonadh ann 'n Eilean Bharbados 25th October 1816. Eir founn Oganich a tha mi cumha, dh'fag u 'n diudh fo leon mi". Begins 'Chunig mishe bruadar faoin, / A dh'fhag 'n raoir mi bronach'. 6 stanzas of 8 lines. Pages 23-25.

[Anonymous. Siud an t-slàinte churamach.] Song without heading, beginning 'Sheo i 'n tslainde churamach / 's oladhmid gu sundach i'. 6 stanzas of 4 lines, with a refrain of 4 lines, written in 2 lines, marked "founn", beginning: 'Sheo i slainde 'n Alistir, 's liu deonach eir a ceanach shin". Pages 25-26.

[MacNicol, Dugald?]. Song headed "Oran a raonadh ann 'n Achlian". begins 'Gheirich mi 'sa mhaddin / Le m' Mhaddi gu treun'. 8 stanzas of 4 lines, with a refrain of 2 lines beginning 'Huile ao ho, hoil ao he'. Pages 26-27.

Lachlann dubh MacLachlainn, Morvern. Song headed "Duanag don uisge beatha le Lachann dubh Mac Lachlain ann 's a Mharabhairne". Beginning 'Tha fear eir charn 's ma thig e n drast / Ma gheabhear fa air beirear air'. 7 stanzas of 8 lines. Pages 28-29.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Gur a mish tha fo mhulad / Fon taice shes 'n urridh / Fon a thug iad mo chruineag / Do dh'Uilleam mac Suinn'. 6 stanzas of 4 lines, with a refrain, marked "founn", beginning 'Hilin u hil o ro ho'. Page 30.

[Anonymous. Dean cadalan sàmhach, a chuilein 's mo ruin]. Song without heading, beginning 'Gun truadh nach romh mishe ann 'n Geasdo nam bo / 'S n dfhuair mi treis marach 's mi m phaisdedh as og'. 5 stanzas of 4 lines, with a refrain, marked "founn", of 4 lines, beginning 'Dean caddalan sauch a chuillein 's a ruin'. Page 31.

Mac-Gille Sheathanaich, Seumas (Shaw). Song headed "Oran le Shemus Shaw, Bàrd Lochnanealla". Begins 'Chunig mishe gne bhruadair / A dhfhag luaineach mi 'n lebbi'. Incomplete: 10 stanzas of 8 lines, and 4 lines given of two further stanzas, the rest missing. A version of this is printed in Duncan Cunningham, 'Orainn Ghaelich' (Glasgow 1805), pages 76-79. Pages 32-35.

Mac Gille Sheathanaich, Seumas (Shaw). [Chunnaic mi bruadar air Fionnlagh]. Song headed "Oran le Shemus Shaw ceudna". Begins 'Chunig mi bruadar eir tiundadh / a chair iunadh oram fhaicin'. 13 stanzas of 8 lines, the 6th missing the first 4 lines. Printed in Patrick Turner, 'Comhchruinneacha' (Edinburgh 1813), pp. 261-264 (12 stanzas), and John Mackenzie, 'Sàr-obair' (Glasgow 1841), pages 311-312. Pages 36-39.

[Anonymous.] Song without heading, beginning 'Dh'fhainnich mi nuair thainig mi / S cha bhi mi fein ga aichaidh oirbh'. 11 stanzas of 4 lines, with a refrain of 4 lines, marked "Fonn", beginning 'Eir faraileil oro iurabh o, cha sheann duin liom aosda u. Pages 39-40.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Iain mhic Ghileaspi bhain / Tha u tidin eir m' aire n drasd'. 8 stanzas of 4 lines, with a 4-line refrain, marked "Founn", beginning 'Tha e tric a tidhin fom chuin / Bhi tidhin eir a ghille dhounn'. Pages 40-41.

Song headed "Oran a raoin duine uasal og do chailag ann n Gleannurachaidh". Begins 'Sann 'n Eillein beag nan braonan / Moch Dierdoin eir la 'n Faisgt'. 7 stanzas of 4 lines, with a 4-line refrain, marked "Founn", beginning 'Mo challin dualach iri horo / Mo chailleag uallach oro hi". The song that follows is the girl's reply. Pages 42-43.

[Anonymous, in reply to the previous song]. Song headed "Fhreagir ishe, eir founn 'Mo ghille guanach iri horo'". Beginning 'Nan burrin mishe a chuir n' arda'. 6 stanzas of 4 lines, with a 4-line refrain. Pages 43-44.

[Anonymous]. Song headed "Oran eir Faunn 'Agus o eir m aura ho'". Begins 'Shid 'n raod gan dug mi speis / Bhi shiubhal 'n t'sheidh 's nan glean'. 8 stanzas of 4 lines. Pages 44-45.

[MacNicol, Dugald.] Song headed "Oran a raonead ann 'n Barbados 18th Dec 1811, eir faunn, Gur trom trom a tha mi &c." Begins 'Fan dh'fag mi Araghaiel / 'S na cairdean a tha fannel ann'. 9 stanzas of 4 lines, with a 4-line refrain beginning 'Gur trom trom a tha mi / Gur trom a dh'fag 'n deallacha mi'. Pages 45-46.

[Anonymous]. Song headed "Oran eir founn", beginning 'Fhuair mi sgeule nach maith leom / Fon a dheallich mi n de riut'. 3 stanzas of 8 lines. Pages 46-47.

Mac Gille Sheathanaich, Seumas (Shaw). Song headed "Oran le Shemus Shaw eir founn Agus o eir Huisdean nan each &c." Begins ''N cuala shibhse naichd ur a thanig don duich 'n drasd'. 13 stanzas of 4 lines. Pages 47-49; text on pages 48-49 written sideways.

[Anonymous]. Song headed "Oran eir foun [followed by the refrain]". Begins 'Moch sa mhadin muair a dhuisg mi / Shul mi shuilean 's cha b iunadh domhs e'. 3 stanzas of 4 lines with a 4-line refrain, beginning 'Och mor tha mi nochd 's mi m aonar'. Page 50.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Thuirt u n toiseach gun thug u gaol domh'. 5 stanzas of 4 lines, with a 4-line refrain beginning 'Ged sann m' mhealladh a ghaoil a bha / Ged sann m' mhealla' mhealla' mhealla''. Page 51. Scribal pagination ends here.

[Anonymous]. Song without heading, beginning 'Uiche domh ri port 'n Kerrera, gun bo gharbh 'nt shid ann'. 11 numbered stanzas, with stanza 4 omitted in numbering but appearing between stanzas 7 and 8. Pages 52-54. Written sideways.

Pages [55]-[57] are blank. Pages [55-56] are unopened.

The inside of the back cover contains and index headed "[Cl]ar Insidh (Index)".