Long, fìon agus fine. Dàn le Alasdair mac Mhurchaidh, fear Aicheallaidh, c. 1639 - 1643

Tha an alt seo a' toirt sùil as ùr air seann dhàn o làmh-sgrìobhainn mhic Rath agus ga cheangal ri co-theacs na h-eachdraidh: malairt, fineachan agus colonaidhean air a' Ghaidhealtachd. B'e Alasdair a' chiad bàillidh a bh' aig Clann Choinnich ann an Leòdhas an dèidh dhaibh grèim fhaighinn air an t-eilean ann an (1611-31), agus thèid fianais 'ùr' a libhrigeadh a shoillsicheas na tèaman a chithear anns an dàn: 'fineachas' agus marsantachd.

This article, written in Scottish Gaelic, places a poem by Alexander Mackenzie of Achilty in its historical context in light of newly discovered evidence relating to trade, colonies, and clans in the early modern Highlands. Alexander Mackenzie was the first chamberlain in Lewis (1611-31) following the colonisation of that island by his clan. This poem gives a unique Gaelic perspective on both clanship and mercantile activity and fresh archival evidence is used to explore these themes of clan and trade which are outlined in the poem.