The contents of the manuscript are as follows:

(i) “Nighean Iarl a` Ghliocais”, transcribed by Hector MacLean, July 1859, from Alexander MacNeill, Kentangaval, Barra; received after the version from Catherine MacGeachy, née Milloy, Islay, published in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 8-13. (Folio 1.)

(ii) ‘Righ na ceist`, told by Roderick MacNeill, Kentangaval, to Hector MacLean, July 1859. The published version of this tale, `Ridere nan Ceist’, is in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 32-35. (Folio 21.)

(iii) Another version of section (ii) recalled and recorded, circa 1860, as ‘Righ nan ceisdean’, by John Dewar, who heard it in 1812 from Mary McCallum, Glenfalloch. (Folio 3.)

(iv) `An Sìtheachean agus an Taillear`, told to Hector MacLean by Alexander MacNeill, Kentangaval, October 1860. (Folio 41.)

(v) ‘A Bràth`, a short Barra tale transcribed by Hector MacLean, 1859 or 1860, from Roderick MacNeill, fisherman in Castlebay. (Folio 45.)

(vi) `An t-Aìreach`, as told to Hector MacLean by Johanna MacCrimmon, Berneray, August 1859. John Francis Campbell`s English version is in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 93-97. (Folio 47.)

(vii) `Conall`, as transcribed, October 1860, by Hector MacLean from John MacNeill, labourer, Barra, but learnt by the latter in South Uist. Another version from Barra is in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 155-166. (Folio 55.)

(viii) ‘A Bhruighin Chaorainn’: a variant of the `Maghadh Colgar` tale told to Hector MacLean by John MacNeill, Buaile nam Bodach, Barra, October 1860. A note of MacLean (folio 69 verso) states that the preamble or introduction in this version is lacking in the published tale recounted by the narrator`s brother, Alexander. ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 179-186. (Folio 69.)

(ix) `Direach Ghlinn Eitidh Mac Callain`, called `Murachadh Mac Brian` in the Islay version. ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 206-214. This version was told to Hector MacLean by Donald MacPhie, Iochdar, September 1860. (Folio 83.)

(x) `Brian Breugach`: a variant of the Three Widows tale in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 225-228, and described by Campbell (folio 93 recto) as ‘a better version than any yet got’, told to Hector MacLean by Roderick MacNeill, Mingulay, known as ‘Ruairidh an Ruma’, September 1860; with a note of MacLean (folio 104) describing the narrator and how he had got his nickname. (Folio 93.)

(xi) ‘Brian Briagach’, another version told to Hector MacLean, August 1859, by Margaret Mackinnon, Busgary, Berneray. English summary in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 233-235. (Folio 105.)

(xii) ‘Sgeulachd air Eobhan Iurach’, also spelt ‘Eurrach’ in the text, recorded by John Dewar, May 1860, from a source ‘somewhere in Argyleshire’. English summary in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 235-236. (Folio 109.)

(xiii) `Donacha na sgoil`, told to John Dewar, 1860, by John MacNair, Clachaig. (Folio 115.)

(xiv) “Mòrag an Rìgh `s Mòrag na ban-rìgh`, a version of the `Sharp Grey Sheep` tale said by Campbell to be “much better than Dewar’s”. The latter is in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 289-291. This version was told to Hector MacLean, probably in 1859, by Betty MacAskill, Berneray, who learnt it in her youth in Uig, Lewis. (Folio 125.)

(xv) `An Sgeulachd aig Nighean Righ an Tullaich ghuirm’, received, October 1860, from John Dewar, and narrated by John MacNair. A note of Campbell (folio 168 verso) identifies elements of the tales recorded in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 1, pages 84-93 and ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 293-303, the latter having the English version only. (Folio 139.)

(xvi) `An Sionnach`, told by `John Tinker` MacDonald, Inveraray, to Hector Urquhart, 1859. English version with commentary (as a variant of ‘Mac Iain Direach’), in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 353-360. (Folio 170.)

(xvii) ‘Am Fainne air’, said by the collector, Hector MacLean, to be the same tale as ‘Sgire mo Cheallag’ (‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 378-380), and told by Hector Boyd, Castlebay, October 1860. (Folio 177.)

(xviii) `Toimhseachain` or riddles, self-recorded by Donald Torrie, Benbecula, from various sources, and received by Campbell, October 1860. (Folio 181.)

(xix) `The Knight of the Red Shield`, English version with some notes. ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 436-454. For Gaelic texts, see below and Adv.MS.50.1.3(Part 2), folio 395. (Folio 189.)

(xx) `Gaisgeach na sgiatha deirge`, a second Gaelic text of the Red Shield tale bearing printer’s marks and told to Hector MacLean, probably in 1859, by Alexander Campbell, farmer in Mulreas, Islay, who learnt it from John MacGilvray, Colonsay. Cf. ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 455-467. (Folio 204.)

(xxi) Notes of Hector MacLean to accompany the text of section (xx), above. (Folio 211.)

(xxii) ‘Ursgeul Righ Eilean a Bha cruidh’: English text, source not known, but sent by Mrs Mary MacTavish, Kildalton, Islay. Another short tale, ‘Brownie’, also in English, is on folio 219 verso. (Folio 215.)

(xxiii) ‘Loircean na Luaith’, told by John MacDonald, tinker, to Hector Urquhart, probably in 1859; not published, but referred to briefly in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, page 469. (Folio 220.)

(xxiv) ‘Ursgeul Iullar og Armailteach, mac Righ Greige’, partly self-recorded by John Dewar, who heard this tale originally from Duncan Campbell, who lived by Loch Long, 1817, and in 1859 from James Leitch, shoemaker in Glendaruel. Summarized briefly in ‘Popular Tales of the West Highlands’, 2, pages 470-471. (Folio 230.)

(xxv) `Nighean Righ fuidh Thuime` or `Nighean Righ foidh thoime`: English (folio 250) and Gaelic (folio 262) versions, the latter transcribed by Hector Urquhart, 1859, from John Mackenzie, fisherman, Inveraray, ‘who recited it to me three times before I wrote it’. (Folio 250.)