The poems are apparently from the papers of the donor, Norman Kent’s grandfather Colonel Robert Bruce Aeneas McLeod Sutherland (died 1887). The latter’s father, Captain Alexander Sutherland, was brought up at Sciberscross, Strath Brora, received his commission in 78th (Seaforth) Regiment in 1794, and served as a recruiting officer throughout Scotland.

The contents are as follows.

(i) Deed of Renunciation of Barbara Guthrie, wife of James Sutherland of Evelix, 1713 (folio 1);

(ii) Double folio sheet. Anonymous hand, first half 18th century (folios 2-3);

(iii) [Reverend Hugh Macdonald of Portree]. “Nuair a hig ‘n geaurigh bii Daunce agin gole”, 30 lines. Cf. Alexander Campbell, “Albyn’s Anthology”, volume 2, page 78. Below are 6 lines of prose beginning ‘Ha do chuachg gun chrioch’ (folio 2 recto, column a);

(iv) “‘Saun orm ata scrib no pogigh”, 18 lines. Waulking song. Cf. Craig, “Òrain Luaidh”, pages 56, 114 (folio 2 recto, column b);

(v) John MacLeod of Contullich. “Ga ma mo chuidachg is m’arach”, 13 stanzas. ‘Oran Fir Chontlich’. To Norman MacLeod of Dunvegan during his minority 1706-1724. Cf. MacLeod, ‘Orain Nuadh Ghaeleach’, page 14; Grant, ‘The MacLeods’, pages 17, 355, 390. (middle of folio 2 recto, column b).