Books of Clanranald facts for kids
The Books of Clanranald are two very old handwritten books. They were made around the early 1700s. These books are important because they tell the history of a famous Scottish family, Clan Donald.
The books are written in an old form of the Gaelic language. People usually call them the Red Book and the Black Book.
The name "Red Book" might be a bit confusing. Some old stories mention a "Red Book of MacMhuirich" from South Uist. We are not sure if it's the same book we have today. The "Black Book" probably got its name just to tell it apart from the "Red Book".
Contents
What Are the Books of Clanranald?
The Books of Clanranald are special historical records. They give us a look into the past of Scottish clans. These books are not just history; they also contain poems and other writings.
The Red Book: A Clan's Story
The Red Book was put together by a person named Niall MacMhuirich. He was part of the MacMhuirich bardic family. This family was known for writing poems and keeping clan histories.
Niall MacMhuirich wrote down the history of Clan Donald in this book. He also collected many poems for it. Later, other people added more writings to the Red Book.
The Black Book: A Mix of Writings
The Black Book is different from the Red Book. It contains a wider mix of different writings. Many people helped to put this book together.
The history section in the Black Book was written by Christopher Beaton. He was from the Beaton learned family. This family was known for being doctors and scholars. Christopher Beaton likely worked for the family of the Earls of Antrim.
Why Are These Books Important?
These books are very important for understanding Scottish history. They show how clans kept their stories alive. They also give us examples of old Gaelic writing.
Historians use these books to learn about the past. They help us understand the lives of people in Scotland centuries ago.
