Book (open), Black Book of Clanranald

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This book, known as the 'Black Book of Clanranald' (pictured here open), was the notebook of Christopher Beaton, of the family of physician to the Lords of the Isles. A second book, the 'Red Book of Clanranald', also survives.

The book includes texts and treatises which concern mainly the MacDonalds of Antrim in Ireland.

It was not until the 16th century that poetry and prose were written down to any great extent. The two Books of Clanranald are remarkable survivals which help us to understand people and events in a Gaelic perspective.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-190-000-760-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MCR 40
• Date: 17th - 18th century
  17th century
  
• Material: Book
  
• Dimensions: 147 mm L x 98 mm w x 39 mm D
  
• What: Book
  
• Subject: Clanranald Collection (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who: Clanranald Collection of Jacobite and Family Relics
  Macdonald
  
• Where: Ireland, Dublin
  
• Event:
• Description: Black Book of Clanranald containing miscellaneous material in Irish, Gaelic and English, including a history of the Macdonalds, written in the 17th and 18th centuries
  
• References:
• Translations:
• Related Records: