Page:An Etymological Dictionary of the Norn Language in Shetland Part I.pdf/31

Rh in stature and more squarely built as well as of a darker complexion, at least in the case of the older generation. This circumstance may be due to an ancient mingling of an original Celtic element with the Norse immigrants. The people of Conningsburgh have held firmly to old customs, and in no parish of Mainland has Norn persisted longer than in Conningsburgh; there is a considerable difference between the dialect here and that in the more southerly Dunrossness, where the Norn element has been more strongly pushed into the background. Among my authorities in Conningsburgh I will specially mention Robert Cogle, fisherman, who by himself had earnestly studied Old Norse and Icelandic; and also Mr. Malcolmson, merchant. The so-called “Conningsburgh Phrase”, an ancient rule of life in Norn, recorded by Low in 1774, was unfortunately lost. Later, I noted a variant in Yell.

My next expedition was to the North Isles, Unst, Yell and Fetlar, where, it was said, the richest stock of old Norn words was to be found. This statement proved later to be quite correct. I proceeded by steamer as far north as Baltasound in Unst, where Andrew Anderson, merchant, gave me the first guidance in regard to the island. Baltasound, the chief centre in the island for the curing of herrings caught on the banks to the eastward, where Dutch, Norwegian and Swedish, as well as Scottish fishermen have long fished, has become modernized, and so I went north to Haroldswick, which has still preserved its old-world character. Here I immediately got very important help from my host, the schoolmaster Robert Dowal, who was a native of the parish of Tingwall on Mainland, but had been for a long time in Haroldswick; he took great trouble to introduce me to persons and families who might be expected to be able and willing to give me the information I sought.

Among my authorities in Haroldswick I will specially mention Peter Nicolson and Robert Nicolson in Spul, and the brothers Andrew Magnus Sutherland and David Sutherland, merchant.

From P. and R. Nicolson I obtained fragments of a sea-song in Norn, and much old information relating to the fishing; and from Nanna Bruce, of Burrafirth, a couple of little rigmaroles in Norn.

From Haroldswick I went several times to the little village of Norwick, lying farther to the north, where valuable help was given by the Henderson family, especially by Wm. Henderson, sen., and his sons Wm. Henderson, jun., and John Henderson.

In Westing, the west and south-west part of Unst, I got great help, both direct and indirect, from my host John Foubister Lund, who introduced me to several families in Westing.

Of those in the south of Unst who assisted me with information I will specially name my host Mr. Sutherland and his wife, of Uyeasound, John Nisbet, of Uyeasound, as well as Mr. James Mackay and his family, of Muness.

From Unst I went by steamer to Mid-Yell, the main village in the large island of Yell, to the south-west of Unst.

In Mid-Yell I at once made the acquaintance of Laurence