PS 078 – Lament for John Garve MacLean of Coll

Primary Sources

C1 Porst Ullar mhic Eachin C1.77: 169
D2 Cumhadh Iain Ghairbh Mhic a Lean / Lament for Great John MacLean D2.40: 229
K2 Cumha Eain Ghairbh Cholla / John Garve MacLean of Coll’s Lament K2.38: 79
JK Pibroch na feiste / John garve of Coll’s Lament JK.60: 165 

Notes on Gaelic Titles

Cumha Iain Ghairbh Mhic Gill’ Eathain  Cumhadh Iain Ghairbh Mhic a Lean / Lament for Great John MacLean D2; Cumha Eain Ghairbh Cholla / John Garve MacLean of Coll’s Lament K2; John garve of Coll’s Lament JK. Lament for Iain Garbh MacLean of Coll. The addition of the MacLean patronymic makes it clear that this Iain Garbh is not to be confused with Iain Garbh Mhic Gille Chaluim, the laird of Raasy, who has his own lament (PS 207), as does his son (PS 216). Donald MacDonald links the present tune to a story of Sir John MacLean of Duart and his attempt to murder his Spanish wife (D2, History of the Airs, pp 6–8).

Port Ùrlar Mhic Eachainn Porst Ullar mhic Eachin C1. MacEachain’s Ground. Cf. Port Ùrlair (PS 20).

Roderick Cannon (2009), rev. Barnaby Brown 2015