Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 4

INTRODUCTION.
To all who have any love for the traditions of the
Scottish Gael the name of the Rev. J. G. Campbell, of
Tiree, has long been a household word, and from them
this volume, comprising as it does the gatherings of
some thirty years, will be sure of a hearty welcome. If
we bear in mind that these tales and ballads are taken
from one section only of Gaelic tradition, and have been
selected from a very small district, we can form some
idea of the richness and vigour with which that tra-
dition still flourishes in the Gaelic-speaking portions of
Scotland. As each fresh collection comes before us
it is impossible not again to ask the question whence
come these old-time tales and songs ? what is their
place in the history of Gaelic thought and fancy? what
relation do they bear to the stories and legends of other
races ?
Mr. Campbell holds what may be called the tra-
ditional and patriotic view — what the Gaelic folk tells
to-day it has told from immemorial times, and, as we
listen to the living peasant or fisherman, we catch
glimpses of, we hear far-off tidings from,
" The old days which seem to be
Much older than any history
That is written in any book."
But many scholars would by no means admit that we
are justified in doing this. Gaelic folk-lore has, as a rule,
been noted within comparatively recent periods, and
the temptation for many persons is apparently irresis-
tible to conclude that it is equally recent. The question
is a complicated one, and cannot be answered in a
rough and ready fashion. Indeed, whilst so many of