Remains of a Gaelic-English dictionary written by Alexander Robertson, schoolmaster, Kirkmichael, Strathardle, Perthshire.
Scope and Contents
The dictionary was written out during or shortly after 1800-1801 (watermarks).
It is noteworthy that Alexander Robertson’s parish minister since 1790, the Reverend Allan Stewart (1762-1829), shared his interest in Gaelic lexicography: in 1823 the Reverend Dr Alexander Irvine, discussing Armstrong’s dictionary, wrote, “My co-presbyter Stewart Kirkmichael is labouring hard. His work will be more useful than Armstrong’s”. (Ingliston MS. A.i.5, number 25).
Volumes 1-3 were printed at Robertson’s expense in 1803 and issued in three parts, cf. Adv.MS.72.2.18. Despite the exhortations of Alexander MacLaurin he published no more of it, possibly because the Highland Society of Scotland withdrew the offer of a premium (Adv.MS.72.2.21, folio vii).
Unfortunately confused with the “Highland Gentlemen’s” dictionary; these are volumes 4-9, of which volume 6 is now lost. Volume 6 is there described as “Materials under letter F & part of letter G consisting of 114 pages”.
A list of contractions will be found at Adv.MS.72.2.21, folio ii.
Dates
- Creation: 1800-1801.
Conditions Governing Access
Normal access conditions apply.
Conditions Governing Use
Normal reproduction conditions apply, subject to any copyright restrictions.
Extent
6 Volumes ; Quarto.
Language of Materials
Gaelic; Scottish Gaelic
Arrangement
Alexander Robertson’s pagination.
Custodial History
In November 1804 Alexander Robertson offered to sell the remainder of his work to the Highland Society of Scotland, which had since 1800 been attempting to co-ordinate all existing efforts toward producing a dictionary (minutes). He had sent the manuscripts by November 1805, and was voted £30 on 27 June 1806. (Minutes; Ramsay, ‘History of the Highland and Agricultural Society’, page 136).
Robertson sent on copies of the printed material in 1808. Although the unprinted material amounted to only eight volumes, ‘9 numbers of Robertsons Gaelic Dictionary’ are recorded as being in the Society’s possession in 1809 (Ingliston MS. A.iv.16, page 6).
Six volumes are listed in an inventory of the papers left by Ewen MacLachlan at his death in 1822 (Ingliston MS. A.iv.11, page 1).
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Separated Materials
Volume 10 (Sacadh-Tanaisteach, 111 folios paginated 1-216 and watermarked 1801) is now Ingliston MS. A.vi.2.
Bibliography
Ramsay, Alexander. ‘History of the Highland and agricultural society of Scotland, with notices of anterior societies for the promotion of agriculture in Scotland’ (Edinburgh, 1879).
Physical Description
Coarse paper covers, numbered and titled by Alexander Robertson with relevant letter(s).
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division
- Description rules
- International Standard for Archival Description - General
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk