From Companion to Gaelic Scotland – “Born Lismore. Reputedly of the same family as An t-Easbuig Bàn (the Fair Bishop). Worked as an exciseman, serving in Islay, Skye, Uist and Oban, among other places. Contributed papers on antiquarian topics to the Transactions of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, to J. F. Campbell’s Popular Tales of the West Highlands and Leabhar na Feinne, Dr Alexander Nicolson’s Proverbs, Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, Celtic Review, etc. Contributed chapter on land customs to Skene’s Celtic Scotland and to Napier Commission Report. His daughter Ella was married to W. J. Watson. His greatest monument is the material he collected, and in part edited, for Carmina Gadelica [...].”

Grandfather of Prof. James Carmichael Watson. Associate of Prof. Donald MacKinnon, Dr Alexander Nicolson, and Donald MacKechnie.