The Celtic Monthly
A magazine for Highlanders. Edited by John MacKay

Volume I

Introduction to Volume I.

IN the circular issued, announcing the CELTIC MAGAZINE, we stated that it was to be a Monthly Periodical, written in English, devoted to the Literature, History, Antiquities, Traditions, Folklore, and the Social and Material Interests of the Celt at Home and Abroad: that it would be devoted to Celtic subjects generally, and not merely to questions affecting the Scottish Highlands: that it would aii'ord Reviews of Books on subjects interesting to the Celtic Races—their Literature, questions affecting the Land—such as Hypothec, Entail, Tenant-Right, Sport, Emigration, Reclamation, and all questions affecting the Landlords, Tenants, and Commerce of the Highlands. We will also, from time to time, supply Biographical Sketches of eminent Celts at Home and Abroad, and all the Old Legends connected with the Highlands, as far as we can procure them, beginning with those of Inverness and Ross shires.

We believe that, under the wiser and more enlightened management now developing itself, there is room enough in the Highlands for more Men, more Land under cultivation, more Sheep and more Shepherds, without any diminution of Sport in Grouse or Deer: that there is room enough for all—for more gallant defenders of our country in time of need, for more produce, more comfort, and more intelligence. We shall afford a medium for giving expression to these views. When submitting the first number of the Magazine to the public, we think it proper to indicate our own opinion on these questions at greater length than we could possibly do in a circular; but, while doing this, we wish it to be understood that we shall at all times be ready to receive contributions on both sides, the only conditions being that they be well and temperately written, and that no side of a question will obtain undue prominence—facts and arguments alone allowed to work conviction. Thus, Ave hope to make the Celtic Magazine a mirror of the intelligent opinion of the Highlands, and of all those interested in its prosperity and progress.

In dealing with Celtic Literature, Antiquities, Traditions, and Folklore, we must necessarily be Conservative. It is impossible for a good Celt to be otherwise than conservative of the noble History of his Ancestors—in love and in war, in devotion and daring. If any should deem this feeling on our part a failing, we promise to have something to say for ourselves in future, and not only give a reason for our faith, but show that we have something in the Highlands worth conserving.

In dealing with the important question of Sport, we cannot help taking a common sense view of it. We cannot resist the glaring facts which, staring us in the face, conclusively prove that the enormous progress made in the Highlands during the last half century, and now rapidly going on, is mainly due to our Highland Sports. A great amount of nonsense has been said and written on this question, and an attempt made to hold grouse and deer responsible for the cruel evictions which have taken place in the North. Arguments, to be of any force, must be founded on facts; and the facts are, in this case, that it was not grouse or deer which caused the Highland evictions, but sheep and south country sheep farmers. The question must be argued as one not between men and deer, but between men and sheep, and sheep against deer. We believe there is room enough for all under proper restrictions, and, to make room for more men, these restrictions should be applied to sheep or deer.

We believe that it would be a wise and profitable policy for Landlords as well as for Tenants to abolish Hypothee and Entail, and to grant compensation for improvements made by the latter. We are quite satisfied from experience, that the small crofter is quite incapable of profitably reclaiming much of our Highland Wastes without capital, and at the same time bring, up a family. If he is possessed of the necessary capital, he can employ it much more advantageously elsewhere. The landlord is the only one who can reclaim to advantage, and he can hardly be expected to do so on an entailed estate, for the benefit of his successors, at an enormous rate of interest, payable out of his life-rent. If we are to reclaim successfully and to any extent, Entail must go; and the estates will then be justly burdened with the money laid out in their permanent improvement. The proprietor in possession will have an interest in improving the estate for himself and for his successors, and the latter, who will reap the greatest benefit, will have to pay the largest share of the cost.

Regarding Emigration, we have a matured opinion that while it is a calamity for the country generally, and for employers of labour and farmers in particular that able-bodied men and women should be leaving the country in their thousands, we unhesitatingly assert that it is far wiser for these men and women to emigrate to countries where their labour is of real value to them, and where they can spend it improving land which will not only be found profitable during their lives, but which will be their own and their descendants freehold for ever, than to continue starving themselves and their children on barren patches and crofts of four or five acres of unproductive land in the Highlands. We have experienced all the charms of a Highland croft, as one of a large family, and we unhesitatingly say, that we cannot recommend it to any able-bodied person who can leave it for a more promising outlet for himself and family. While we are of this opinion regarding voluntary emigration, we have no hesitation in designating forced evictions by landlords as a crime deserving the reprobation of all honest men.

We shall also have something to say regarding the Commercial Interests of the Highlands--its trade and manufactures, and the abominable system of long Credit which is, and has proved, so ruinous to the tradesman; and which, at the same time, necessarily enhances the price of all goods and provisions to the retail cash buyer and prompt payer. on all these questions, and many others, we shall from time to time give our views at further length, as well as the views of those who differ from us. We shall, at least, spare no effort to deserve success.

The HIGHLAND CEILIDH will be commenced in the next number, and continued from month to month. Under this heading will be given Highland Legends, Old Unpublished Gaelic Poetry, Riddles, Proverbs, Traditions, and Folk-Lore.

Volume X

• October 1901
  As well as Gaelic poems and their translations there are also articles on MacLeans of Gallanach, Coll, Gaelic Mod in Glasgow, Simon Fraser, Tenth Lord Lovat, The Graves of the Keppochs, The MacLeans of Coll, Clan Colquhoun Society annual gathering at Luss, Neil MacLeod, last of the MacLeods of Assynt, Highland Home Industries, etc.

• November 1901
  George MacKay, President of the Clan MacKay Society, Neil MacLeod last of the MacLeods of Assynt, Martial music of the clans, Clam MacKay gathering at Tongue, The Ossianic Ballads, Simon Fraser, 10th Lord Lovat, etc.

• December 1901
  William C. MacLeod, Neil MacLeod last of the MacLeods of Assynt, The Martial Music of the Clans, The MacLeans of Coll, Kintyre on Emigration and Depopulation, Iain Lom and his Times, The Scot Abroad, A Mull Song, The Fledged Sporan - a tale of Terror from the Gaelic, Gaelic Music in Scotland, Death of John Cameron of Sutherland.

• January 1902
  Charles M'Laren Liverpool, Albert Edward MacKinnon, The Song of Sleep, The Piper of Golf and Green, A Christmas and New Year Greeting, The Pledged Sporran, Clan Menzies Gathering, Martian Music of the Clans, The Marquis of Dufferin on the Races of Ireland, Gaelic Music in Scotland, Rognvald: Earl, Jorsala-Farer and Saint.

• February 1902
  James Mead Sutherland, Am Bodach Glas (The Grey Spectre), Banais Anns A' Ghaidhealtachd, Gaelic Music in Scotland, The Pledged Sporran, Rognvald: Earl - Jorsala-Farer and Saint, The Haunted Castle, The Stewart Society, The Bagpipes in the Indian Highlands, London Argyllshire Association, The Martian Music of the Clans.

• March 1902
  D. P. Menzies, FSA Scot of Menzieston, The isolation of Sutherlandshire, My Highland Home, Alexander MacPherson, The White Glave of Light, The Martial Music of the Clans, Banais Anns A' Ghaidhealtachd, Gaelic Music in Scotland, The Pledged Sporran.

• April 1902
  MacLeod Stewart Ottawa Canada, Gaelic Music in Scotland, Applecross: Its church and monastery, John Sinclair, Shepherd Part III, Are the Benzies a sept of Clan Menzies, The Beatons or Bethunes, The Martial Music of the Clans, Comhradh Tirisdeach, How Allan-of-the-Straw founded a family - A tale of the MacLeans of Torloisk, The story of Jane MacRae, Sonnets on Schiehallion, The song of the Western Seas, Clan Forbes March.

• May 1902
  Hugh MacLeod of Glasgow, Scottish Memories in the Midlands, Stories of Kintyre, Celtic Facts and Fancies, The Early Celtic Church, The Highland Hills, The Martial Music of the Clans, Gaelic Music in Scotland, Evening in the Hill Country, Highland Scenery and Climate in Relation to National Music and Poetry, Bonnie Prince Charlie, An Leannan A Bh' Aig Domhnull Ruadh, Armorial Bearings of MacLeans of Dochharroch.

• June 1902
  John G. Jarratt, Laoidh na Rioghachd (The National Anthem), Gaelic Music in Scotland, Highland Scenery and Climate in Relation to National Music and Poetry, The Martial Music of the Clans, Leaving the Glen, What is my Tartan?, The Scot Abroad, The Story of Jane MacRae, To a Bunch of Scotch Heather, The Early Celtic Church, London Argyllshire Association, Unitas Celtica, The War Office and the Tartans.

• July 1902
  Lieut.-Colonel John W. M'Farlan of Ballancleroch, Gaelic Music in Scotland, The Scot Abroad, The Dying Gael's Farewell to Strath Strathie, Armorial Bearings of MacLean of Dochgarroch, Tp John MacKay of Hereford, The Martial Music of the Clans, Gillecriosd, Highland Scenery and Climate in relation to National Music and Poetry, The Early Celtic Church, Highland Society of London, The Rant of Struan Robertson.

• August 1902
  Duncan MacDonald, Merthyr-Tydfil, Dreams, The Martial Music of the Clans, In the Shadow of Ben Duirnish, The Cry Over the Waters, Clan Donnachaidh Society, The Fairy Man, Highland Scenery and Climate in Relation to National Music and Poetr, In a Rosh-Shire Garden, A Gaelic Oath, The Early Celtic Church, A MacGregor Lament, Armorial Bearings of MacLean of Dochgarroch, Concerning Aunt Betsy and Some Others, The Clan Donnachaidh.

• September 1902
  The Nicolson Institute Stornaway, Evicted, The Fairy Man, The Return of the Men to "Bonnie Strathnaver", The Martial Music of the Clans, Strathnaver: The Return, Skene as an Historian, Lady Lude of the "Forty Five", Armorial Bearings of MacLean of Dochgarroch, Highlanders - United England Loyalists, The Early Celtic Church, Concerning Aunt Betsy and Some Others, Highland Scenery and Climate in Relation to National Music and Poetry.

• War speech of a Highland chief
  From “The Celtic Magazine” February 1879 By Alexander  Logan

Volume XI

• October 1902
  Sir Robert Menzies of Menzies - Baronet, King Edward's Coronation, Captain Ivory's Cave, The Highlands, The Fairy Man, Lament for Roderick "The Chisholm", Baron-Bailie Court of Lude, Highland Mod at Dundee, The Martial Music of the Clans, Highland Scenery and Climate, Concerning Aunt Betsy and Some Others, Duncan Ban MacIntyre, Emigrations from the Highlands during the Eighteenth Century, Armorial Bearings of MacLean of Dochgarroch, An Old Gaelic Saying.

• November 1902
  Matheson of Shiness, Achany and The Lews, Sergeant Jim of the Gordons, Mackays and Mackintoshes in America, Highland Scenery and Climate, "Rarities in Caithness and Strathnaer, Histories of the Bagpipes, MacLean Lord of Dowart, The Martial Music of the Clans, Mod prize poem, The Eight Men of Moidart.

• December 1902
  Captain Charles. H. MacLean, Scottish Clans Association of London, Lady MacKintosh of the '45, Lament to the Late Lieut-Gen. Sir Herbert MacPherson, The Martial Music of the Clans, MacKays and MacKintoshes in America, About Tomintoul, In the Westering of the Sun, Coming Home.

• January 1903
  Alexander Murray, The Clan Fraser, Some remarks on Clan Tartans, The ending of a clan feud, The Martial Music of the Clans, The eight men of Moidart, MacLeans of Dochgarroch, A balad of Yule, The Distinctions of the Ossianic Poems, Brigadier MacKintosh of Borlum, Life in the Highlands in the olden times, Folklore of Sutherland, The MacLeans of Crossapol, Clan MacMillan Society, Our musical page.

• February 1903
  Archibald Fergusson, A Highland Romance, Jennie Cameron of the '45, Gaelic names in Braemar, An Ode on the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Glenfruin, A favourite Sutherland Angling resort, The Pass of the Shadow, The MacLeans of Crossapol, The Anglicising of the Highlands, The Eight Men of Moidart, The Martial Music of the Clans.

• March 1903
  The Camerons of Worcester, Rev. George H. Cameron of Russia, The anglicising of the Highlands, There is a voice that haunts me still, A Highland Romance, The Pass of the Shadow, Macara Clan, Glen Eagles, The Seven Men of Glenmoriston, The Wanderer, Place Names in Braemar, The Martial Music of the Clans, Some Traditions of the Beatons or MacBeths, Our Musical page.

• April 1903
  James M M;Kay Ohio USA, The Highland Exile, How the Feud between the Camerons and MacKintoshes ended, The Anglicising of the Highlands, A Highland Romance, The Pass of the Shadow, The Late General Sir Hector MacDonald, In Saint Columba's Country, The Martial Music of the Clans, Reminisceses of Strathnaver.

• May 1903
  AEnas Ranald McDonell 21st Chief of Glengarry, Fighting Mac, The Eagle, The House of Dreams, The Martial Music of the Clans, Some Notes on the Harris, General Hector A. MacDonald, The General MacDonald Scandel, The Anglicising of the Highlands, Sutherland Folk-Lore Tales, Pittsburg U.S.A. Pipe Band, Days of Yore at Arrochar.

• June 1903
  Donald McDonald Chief Cape Highland Society, Tak' Me Hame, Ewen MacPhee the Outlaw, And the greatest of these is..., Legends of the Clan MacKay, Landing Haddook, Hector MacDonald Memorial, The Name Anderson, The Martial Music of the Clans, The Anglicising of the Highlands, Death of General Fraser, Highlanders in the Russian Caucasus, Some Notes on the Harris, Days of Yore at Arrochar, The Sangs my Mither Sung.

• July 1903
  Rev. Robert Munro, The Martial Music of the Clans, GlenLyon, How Boy Beyond found the Golden Beam, The Pass of the Shadow, Our Musical Page, The Legend of Lorn, Clan Menzies Armorial Bearings, The Basileus of Britain, The Legend of Lianachan or a story of the "Grey Hag", The MacLeans of Crossapol, Donald Diabhul, Rhyming Place Names.

• August 1903
  The Late Donald N Nicol, An Old Graveyard, Alice Cameron, Inverness-Shire, Legends of the Clan MacKay, Tour of His Excellency Field Marshall MacDonald, The Closing Doors, The Last Evening in the Highlands, Clan Menzies Armorial Bearings, The Duart Coat of Arms, Sithichean Shelia, The Martial Music of the Clans, The Pass of the Shadow, The "Colquhouns Peabroch", The "Nether Lochaber" Memorial.

• September 1903
  The Late Rev. John MacKay, Colla Ciotach Mac Ghilleasbuig, Log of the "Columba", Death of MacDonald of Glenaladale, Pipers Two or A Reay Country Merry-Making, Dunrobin Castle, The Martial Music of the Clans, A Gathering of the Clans at Durban Natal, History of the Outer Hebrides, Gaelic Society of London, The Fortunes of an Exile, The Clan Munro, Sea Hunger, The MacLeans of Crossapol, An Elegy, Highland Hospitality, Wanganui Caledonian Society, M'Quistan or M'Eystein, The Mothers.

Volume XX

• January 1912
  Alexander Fraser FSA Scot Toronto, Sketches of Highland Life and Character, The Marvel Child of Kircauldy - L. MacBean, The Clan MacLaren, Celtic Notes and Queries, Records of a Famous Regiment - The 93d Sutherland Highlanders, Muireach Fail, The Cave Picture and its Painter, The Late Mr. A MacDonald of Ord, A Tribute to Burns, The Clan MacRae Societyy, Our Musical Page, Lord Lovat of the '45.

• February 1912
  The Late Lieut. C. A. MacAlister of Glenbarr and Cour, Sketches of Highland Life and Character, Gaelic Coinage, Caiptean Ruadh Ghlinn Liobhan, Gaelic Lament, Gordon Highlanders, The Late Dr. George Grant, The Highlander of Modern Fiction, MacMillan, Just a Minute, Records of a Famous Regiment - The 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, The Clan M'Farlane Society, The Highlands, Notes on The Celtic Year, The Highlands as a Holiday Resort, The Story of the Bagpipe, MacPhail of Inverairnie, Storm among the Hills, Incidents in the Life of Dugald Buchanan, The Surname Douglas, Celtic Notes and Queries.

• March 1912
  Mr Peter Mackay Glenure Argyll, Sketches of Highland Life and Character, Gaelic Proverbs, The Highlander in Modern Fiction, The Gaelic Leaving Certificate, Mr Donald Nicolson of Bearsden, The 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, Notes on the Celtic Year, Celtic Notes and Queries, Fionn and the Fidga, Solan Geese catching at St. Kilda, The Late Mr. D. R. MacGregor Melbourne, Highland Funerals, The Legend of Loch Maree, MacDonald Tartans, The Surname Galbraith, Our Musical Page.

• April 1912
  Mr A. W. M'Lean - Lumberton North Carolina USA, Sketches of Highland Life and Character, Gaelic Proverbs, Mr L. MacBean of Kirkcaldy, Notes on the Celtic Year, A New Zealand Pioneer, The Clan Piper, The MacEwans of Ottir and Other Small Clans - The MacLays, The MacQueens, "Culloden, April 16th 1746, Who have the Largest Heads and Feet?, Pipers Three, Fionn and the Fidga, The Cummings, The Book of Deer, The Clan Stewart, Celtic Notes and Queries, Our Musical Page, Reviews.

• May 1912
  The Marquis and Marchioness of Stafford, Sketches of Highland Life and Character, The Passing of the Titanic, Gaelic Proverbs, The Late Lieut. Donald Campbell R.N., To all Highland Hearts, The Religion in the Gaelic Language, The Tongue of the Gael, The Sons of Rob Roy, Celtic Notes and Queries, Fionn's Wars with the MacGregors, Notes on the Celtic Year, Death of a Notable Highlander, The Clan MacKay Annual Gathering, The MacLarens and the Appin Stewarts, Our Musical Page.

• June 1912
  The Chief of the Clan MacPhail, Sketches of Life and Character, Scottish Clans Association, Stornoway and the Lews, The Religion in the Gaelic Language, The Land for the People, The Sons of Rob Roy, The Cape Breton and Nova Scotia Highlanders, Fionn's Wars with the MacGregors, Notes on the Celtic Year, Celtic Notes and Queries, Gaelic Proverbs.

• July 1912
  Lieutenant-Colonel George J. MacFarlane, The Medical Book of Dunolly, Gaelic Proverbs, Memorial to Scotland's National Patriot, The War Song of The Hays, The Sons of Rob Roy, The Late Alexander Carmichael LL.D, Fionn's Wars with the MacGregors, Cameron's "Isle of Skye", Notes on the Celtic Year, The MacFadyens, Famous Highland Bowman, Celtic Notes and Queries, H. Cameron Gillies M.D., Our Musical Page.

• August 1912
  The Late Mrs MacRae, The Late Major Catto, After Culloden, The Real MacKay Tartan, The Clan Davidson, Gaelic Proverbs, Fionn's Wars with the MacGregors, The Late Dr. George Henderson, The Irish Oireaachtas, A Song of the North, Reviews, Celtic Notes and Queries, New Bagpipe Music, The Gunns, Corrievreckan in Legend, Our Musical Page, Notes on the Celtic Year.

• September 1912
  The Rev. John MacLean DD., The Clan MacLean, Tiree the Sanatorium of the West, The MacLean Gathering at Duart 1912, After Culloden, Magnus MacLean, The Adventures of Fionn at Connaught, Notes on the Celtic Year, Gaelic Proverbs, Celtic Notes and Queries, Our Musical Page.

• October 1912
  Mr Donald MacKay of Edinburgh, After Culloden, To what Clan did Lord Clyde belong?, The Fernaig MS, Notes on the Celtic year, Clan Alpin's Vow, Beauly Priory and its associations, Gaelic Proverbs, Clan MacFarlane, The Adventures of Fionn in Connaught, Rev. Murdo Lamont, Celtic Notes and Queries, Our musical page, The days of the week in Gaelic.

• November 1912
  Mr John MacLeod, After Culloden, Beauly Priory and its Associations, "Clann An Sgeulaiche (A famous family of Pipers), Our Highland Dances, Clan MacKay Society, New Celtic Lecturer for Glasgow, Royal Stewart Tartan, The Fernaig MS, Celtic Notes and Queries, The Adventures of Fionn in Connaught, Notes on the Celtic Year, The Clan MacLean gathering at Duart Castle, Gaelic Proverbs, Oran, Gaelic Music, The Campbells, Our Musical Page.

• December 1912
  The Late Provost of Cambeltown - Mr H. D. B. MacTaggart, Beauly Priory and its Associations, Reminicenses of Bagpipes in many Lands, Celtic Notes and Queries, The Birth of Simon Fraser Lord Lovat of the '45, Death of Captain Douglas Wimberley of Inverness, Clan MacKay Society, The Clan MacFarlane in Glasgow, The Clan MacMillan, An Old Pipe Tune, Highland Snobs, The Alan Cameron Relics, The Adventures of Fionn in Connaught, Notes on the Celtic Year, Gaelic Proverbs, The Kilt Threatened, Patrick MacDonald's Collection 1784, Our Musical Page, Luathadh or Waulking.

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