the secret commonwealth of elves fauns and fairies robert kirk

These Siths or Fairies they call Sleagh Maith or the Good People … are said to be of middle nature between Man and Angel, as were Daemons thought to be of old of intelligent fluidous Spirits, and light changeable bodies (lyke those called Astral) somewhat of the nature of a condensed cloud, and best seen in twilight. In his research he collected several personal accounts and stories of those who claimed to have encountered them. He believed the Sleagh Maith or fairies was a fact in nature, that could be investigated as a matter of scientific enquiry and could be incorporated into the Christian faith. He sought to investigate and learn about them. The Celtic people held firmly to their superstitions as many still do today. While many in the Church strode to suppress such beliefs without success, the Reverend Robert Kirk did not condemn those who believed in the supernatural. His research involved investigating the strong belief held by the Gaelic peoples in the supernatural world of fairies and creatures of the Otherworld. They were released by Scottish author Walter Scott in 1815, then later a second edition was published in 1893, under the title The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies.

He collected and wrote about these tales in around 1691, although his work was not published in his lifetime. Robert Kirk had an interest in the supernatural, fairies, folk beliefs, second sight and traditional stories and beliefs held by the people of the Scottish Highlands. However, it was for another work, The Secret Commonwealth, and the stories that surround his death that he is now best remembered. He also helped in one of the first publications of the bible into Scottish Gaelic.

He is noted for providing the first translation to Gaelic of the book of Psalms, published at Edinburgh in 1684 as Psalma Dhaibhidh an Meadrachd, &c. He went on to study theology and eventually became minister of Aberfoyle, from 1685 until his death in 1692. He was the seventh son of the minister of Aberfoyle. Robert Kirk (9 December 1644 – ) was a minister, Gaelic scholar and folklorist. One of the most famous being the Reverend Robert Kirk, The village is an attractive place to visit with a number of connections to historical figures. Loch Ard (Loch na h-Àirde), Loch Chon, Loch Arklet and Loch Lomond (Loch Laomainnare) to the West, Loch Katrine (Loch Ceiteirein), Loch Achray and Loch Venachar (Loch Bheannchair) to the North and the Lake of Menteith (Loch Innis Mo Cholmaig), to the East. Seen as a gateway to the Trossachs, Aberfoyle is situated on the River Forth (Abhainn Dubh) at the foot of Craigmore. Aberfoyle (Scottish Gaelic: Obar Phuill) is a village that lies inside the Lomond & Trossachs National Park (Scottish Gaelic: Pàirc Nàiseanta Loch Laomainn is nan Tròisichean).

The secret commonwealth of elves fauns and fairies robert kirk