The book Arran; - Cook Clan

PREFACE vii
To Mr. J. B. Sweet, Session Clerk of Kilbride, and to the
Rev. A. W. Kennedy of Kilmorie, thanks are due for access
to the Records of the respective parishes.
The Gaelic material, save in cases specifically mentioned,
was prepared and translated by the late Mr. Duncan Reid,
and was carefully revised in proof by Mr. Norman MacLeod
of Glasgow, with the assistance of Mr. James Craig, Kil-
patrick. Mr. Craig's services deserve special mention, in so
far as he secured many contributions to the collection of
Folk Lore and of Arran Gaelic verse. Independently of
the poetic quality of the verse, these compositions, alike
in their associations and in their interest as examples of
the Arran variety of the language, deserve a place in
such a record as this. The collection here given is
the result of a timely effort at preservation : with the
passing away of the older people much has been irre-
trievably lost.
The list of individual contributors of much or little,
whether used or not, will be found at the end of the volume.
If any one has been overlooked it is to be regretted and is
apologised for.
More personally the author would thank Mr. William
Melven of Glasgow Academy for the use of some printed
material, and Mr. George Mackenzie for revising proofs.
Mrs. John Mackay of the Celtic Monthly saved trouble by
kindness in lending books for consultation. But under
this head he is most indebted to the generosity with which
Mr. Alexander Balfour placed at his disposal the volumes
relating to the subject which had been collected by his son.
This aid was most valuable.
Some of the illustrations have been kindly furnished
by Dr. C. Fred. Pollock, of Glasgow.
b