Folksongs and Folklore of South Uist

Folksongs and Folklore of South Uist is a seminal work that captures the rich oral traditions, music, and daily life of the Gaelic-speaking community of South Uist in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Authored by Margaret Fay Shaw, an American-born folklorist and photographer, the book is the result of her immersive six-year residency with a crofting family on the island during the early 20th century.​

This comprehensive volume combines a collection of traditional Gaelic songs with detailed narratives, photographs, and cultural insights. It serves both as an introduction to Gaelic culture and as a memorial to a way of life that has largely disappeared. The book includes parallel texts in Scottish Gaelic and English, making it accessible to a broad audience.​