Book (open), Red book of Clanranald

This book, known as the 'Red Book of Clanranald' (pictured here open), was the notebook of Niall MacMhuirich. It dates from the 17th century. A second book, the 'Black Book of Clanranald', also survives.

The front cover of the book is now missing. The book records a Gaelic view of 17th-century events which differs from the official accounts. It also includes elegies and praise poems to clan chiefs.

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:	000-190-000-759-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0098: National Museums Scotland Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland H.MCR 39
Date:	17th - 18th century 17th century
Material:
Dimensions:	173 mm L x 121 mm W x 21 mm D
What:	Book
Subject:	Clanranald Collection (NMAS Classification)
Who:	Alistair Macdonald Clanranald Collection of Jacobite and Family Relics James Macpherson MacVurichs, bards of Clanranald (Maker) Montrose
Where:
Event:
Description:	Red Book of Clanranald, written in Gaelic by the MacVurichs, bards of Clanranald in the 17th and 18th centuries, containing poems and the traditional genealogy and history of the Macdonalds
References:
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