A letter written by Alexander Pope in 1763 and published in the Ossian Report, Appendix, page 52, indicates that this collecting activity took place about 1739. Folios 1-7 are in Pope’s hand, and a note at folio 1 verso confirming his identity appears to be signed W P, perhaps his son William. Folios 8-11 are in hand of the Reverend Alexander Sage (1753-1824) of Kildonan, as are numerous corrections passim and a reference at folio 5 verso.

The contents are as follows.

(i) (John Mackechnie, fragment A). ‘Shian sin sa Hullaich’, 14 stanzas. (Folio 1 recto, column a.)

(ii) “O s’ cui liom Iomachd ochdnar”, 8 stanzas. (Folio 1 recto, column b, line 5.)

(iii) ‘Hanig hugin dhe bar Bivil’, 20 stanzas. (Folio 1 verso.)

(iv) (John Mackechnie, fragment B). ‘Glen shi sho ri er taobh’, 22 quatrains. (Folio 2 recto.)

(v) (John Mackechnie, fragment C). ‘Noacht hagam er Fin fiorghlic’, 16 stanzas. With descriptive note. (Folio 3 recto.)

(vi) (John Mackechnie, fragment D). ‘Is kionol shin Hullach ard’, 24 stanzas. With descriptive note. (Folio 4 recto.)

(vii) (John Mackechnie, fragment E). Last 4 quatrains of “Mànus” (cf. ‘Leabhar na Feine’, page 73), here titled “N’ Delginach Mhoir”. Beginning ‘Bho harla du mo ghrasin fein’. With descriptive note. Two omitted quatrains subscribed. (Folio 5 recto.)

(viii) ‘Is kinol shin a Thulaich ard’, 10 quatrains. With descriptive note. (Folio 6 recto.)

(ix) (John Mackechnie, fragment F). ‘Inis ghuin Osein eile’, 108 lines. (Folio 7 recto.)

(x) (John Mackechnie, fragment G). ‘La do dhfin e shelg ni Clauin’, 23 quatrains. Cf. Adv.MS.73.2.16, folio 139. (Folio 8 recto.)

(xi) (John Mackechnie, fragment H). “Cha’n mharbh I ach an Fhian”, 124 lines. ‘Am Muireartach’ (acephalous). (Folio 9 recto.)

(xii) Sermon beginning ‘Mar sin be caira Feoil Pheacach’. (Folio 11 verso, line 5.)