Blair Collection > Celtic monthly > Volume 7, 1899

THE CELTIC MONTHLY.
Eor the Ijeuefit of all our readers and future
historians, it must be explained that there were
two " Mairi Laghaoh's," each having a song
devoted to her by different composers, and
admirers from different points of view. Both
songs are called " Miiri Laghach," and have
the same chorus, but different words and objects.
In order to make this point clear to our readers
we shall quote a living witness who wrote a full
account of the two Marys and published it in
Tke Highlander some years ago. The Rev.
Roderick M'Rae, F. 0. Manse, Carlo way, Lewis,
the gentlemen in question, supplies some
interesting particulars which will clear up the
confusion so prevalent in regard to the two
"Mairi Laghach's." Of the first song he says: —
" Murdo M'Kenzie — Murchadh Ruadh nam bo —
composed it to his little daughter -Mary, who
attended the cattle at the shelling when his
dairymaid had deserted him."
Murdo's version begins : —
Nuair a thig a Bhealltainn,
Bithidh a' choill fo bhlath,
'S coin blieaga 'seinn duinn —
A dh' oidhche 's a lex,
Gobhair agus caoirich,
JOHN .M.\CDONALD, MAIRI LAOHACH.
MURDO fHEK Sos).
RODERICK (SON UF MiRD
A's crodh-laoigh le 'n al
'S Miiiri bh;\n gan saodach'
Mach ri aodainn chh.rn.
Ho mo Mhiiiri Laghach, &c.
"Murchadh Ruadh," who was a farmer in
Lochbroom and a drover, was married to a
sister of the famous Master Lachlan M'Kenzie,
IjOchcarron, to whom he went when farming
and droving failed him. Whilst in Lochcarron
Murdo composed several songs, with some of
which I was familiar in my younger days. Of
Murdo's 'Miiri Laghach' I suppose I could give
as good an account as any one from the circum-
stance of her having spent some of her time in
my native place Lochcarron, and that I knew
her personally. Miiri Laghach is still living,*
at Torran, in the island of Raasay, along with
her husband, John M'Leod, a superannuated
Gaelic teacher. Anyone asking for John
M'Leod is likely to be asked in turn '■'An e sin
an duine aifj Mairi Lagltacli?" — Is that Mairi
Laghach's husband 1
The second Mairi Laghach song is the com-
position entirely of John Macdonald.f who died
some years ago at Crobeg in the parish of Lochs
* When the paper wa3 written.
t See illustration.