Big bonnet

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The big bonnet or boineid mhòr was in Islay something similar to a struileag, an imaginary boat which was sent from one to another, rhyme accompanying it. It was never sent to a friend and no one cared to keep it long, if he could not make a verse himself, he must get someone else to make it for him, as it could not be passed on by other means.

[edit] Struileag

The struileag was an imaginary boat, used in a contest of wit or singing at a marriage, or other gathering. When one has sung or other contributed to the amusement of the party, he says "cuiream struileag seachad orm gu —" ("I pass the struileag one me to —") naming some other person who makes the same remark when he has finished his share of entertaining.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from “Dwelly’s [Scottish] Gaelic Dictionary” (1911) boineid mhòr, struileag
• An t-Eileanach