In a remarkable turn of events, a cache of ancient Gaelic manuscripts has resurfaced at the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh, putting an end to a mystery that has lingered for over 50 years. These long-lost treasures, encompassing poetry, sermons, songs, and previously unknown works, were thought to have vanished without a trace in the 1960s, prompting a fruitless police investigation at the time.
The story of their reappearance unfolds against the backdrop of scholarly intrigue, as the missing manuscripts, totaling 56 in number, were stumbled upon during a research expedition into the personal papers of Prof. Rob Ó Maolalaigh from the University of Glasgow. Their sudden emergence raises more questions than answers, leaving experts puzzled over the circumstances surrounding their disappearance and eventual recovery.
Prof. Ó Maolalaigh, a key figure in the field of Gaelic studies, expressed the profound significance of this retrieval, underscoring the detrimental impact their absence had on generations of scholars engaged in the exploration of Gaelic literature and culture. These invaluable manuscripts, originally amassed by the Reverends Donald MacNicol and Alexander Irvine during the 18th and 19th centuries, form a vital part of Gaelic heritage, serving as beacons of knowledge and inspiration for editors and academics for over two centuries.
Among the unearthed treasures are letters, sermons in both Gaelic and English, a Gaelic diary chronicling life in Scotland and Barbados, and a wealth of Gaelic poetry penned by luminaries like Alasdair Mac Mhaighstir Alasdair. Furthermore, the discovery revealed previously unexplored works by lesser-known Gaelic bards, enriching the tapestry of Gaelic literary history with hidden gems waiting to be unearthed.
One standout among the recovered artifacts is a collection of songs attributed to the Sutherland poet Rob Donn Mackay, harkening back over 200 years. A poignant note accompanying these songs hints at their origin, recounting how they were transcribed while being sung by Mackay’s daughter Janet on a chilly evening in Edinburgh’s Thistle Street back in December 1800, adding a touch of nostalgia to their historic significance.
The elation over this long-awaited reunion was palpable among those involved in the saga of the missing manuscripts. Chris Cassells, the head of archives and manuscript collections at the National Library of Scotland, hailed the return of these literary treasures as a momentous occasion, acknowledging the void their absence had left in the scholarly landscape. Dr. Ulrike Hogg, the manuscripts curator, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of these documents in preserving the rich tapestry of Gaelic literature for future generations.
As the dust settles on this captivating tale of lost and found, one thing remains abundantly clear: the resilience of cultural heritage in the face of adversity. The rediscovery of these Gaelic
