however, until he baulked them at the leap. What clan Purak was of is not known, but a Miss Forbes is still living at Carie who claims descent from him through the female line. Purak might come from "purradh," a jostling, combative fellow. Glen Sassen, out of which runs the Innerhadden burn, affords a passage from Glen Lyon, and commemorates the advent of the English to take Bruce. "Innerhadden" is the name of an estate, yet more particularly of a flat where the burn runs into the Tummel, colloquially known as "Innercath," which is Inbhir-cath, the confluence where battle did or was wont to take place. The "den" or "dun" of the name may refer to a small fort placed on it called "Seòmair na Stainge," or else to Dun Ailean, a high projecting hill overlooking the flat ground. "Seòmar na stainge," the "chamber of the ditch," is a very curious piece of antiquity, unique in its character, so far as we know, in Scotland. It is a circular mound of perhaps 16 feet in diameter, covered with stones, and surrounded by a ditch. The mark of a wall encloses all in a square, with the appearance of a small court, gateway, and tower to the north. The whole lies in almost a direct line between a circle of small "Druidical" stones near the river, and a standing-stone to the south-west. We might almost suppose it to have been at first a burial mound, like those at Clava on the Nairn; but subsequently turned into a small fort in the centre of arable land. About fifty yards to the west is a very ancient sheep or cattle bucht. "The Wallace Cairn" is another name for "Seòmar na stainge," that hero having been said to have rested a night in it. In the absence of any ostensible source of the name "Donacha,' the ancient chief of this district, we are inclined to localise him here, and to derive his name from "Dunachaidh," the fort of the field. "Clach na boile," apparently from "boilich," the stone of romancing or telling fibs, for under it is a treasure, and any one removing it at night will be dead in the morning. The stone is about five feet high, being set up on end. It may have been rolled from the hill near, or be an ice-travelled boulder. "Dun Ailean" may refer to Allan Stewart, from Appin, one of that clan having acquired the estate some seven generations back; or it may be "Dun-Eilean," the fort of the promontory. 'Creag-anFhithich" (the raven's rock) is a bold object in the long range of hills running west from Creag More, at the foot of Schiehallion. Taking a general survey of this range in the gloaming, from a point say in front of Muir Lodge, we get a remarkable view of "the recumbent giant," his face, breast, knees, and feet upturned to the sky-Creagmore at his head, like a pillow of state, and Schiehallion beyond, a monumental pyramid. In the opposite direction again, and from Bunrannoch Moor, we may see in the northern range of hills "Craig Var," like the head of a gigantic bat with outstretched wings. About two miles eastwards the same object will appear like a gigantic eagle on the swoop. Dun-Ailean has on its eastern side a very quaint little graveyard for the Stewarts of Innerhadden, named "Kil Ionaid," the grave of Janet. The slanting stump of a large tree can be seen on the ground above the enclosure, and a tale of grim humour attaches to it. A man wishing to build a boat for the loch, applied to the laird for a tree. Both set off among the standing timber to select a tree, but when a good one was noticed, the laird always said "Oh no, I could not give you that one. You see, it would make an ugly gap," until at the day's end no tree was forthcoming. suitor, in despair, bewailed his case to the old gardener, who at once re-assured him, and finding the laird, addressed him thus-" At Kil Ionaid is a slanting tree, just over the place you are likely to be laid. Now, if it fell, it would be very heavy on your chest." That tree was cut down. The "Creag-an-Fhithich" (the raven's rock) has a bold precipitous front. To the south-east of it are the Falls of Innerhadden. "Caistealan Dubha" is now extinct, the site being occupied by Bun Rannoch Lodge. In front are some cairns, where a village is said formerly to have stood. There is on the bank of what is termed the old river a depression in the moor about 15 feet deep and 75 feet wide. This dry track, now termed "Fiadh Corrie," can be traced from the south-east corner of the loch about a mile to the present river, the bed of which is about 15 feet lower. A bank, either of glacial "till" or of upheaval, appears to have diverted the outlet of the loch to its north-east corner. Bun signifies the outlet. Muirlaggan Farm here has a very tragic tale annexed. A farmer had thirteen sons, who went for a day's hunting. They halted for lunch, when a quarrel arose between them, ending in the death of them all. Their cairns can be seen at Trinafour, on the Erochty, and "if a' tales be true, that's nae lee." (To be concluded). GAELIC SERMON IN LONDON.-The Rev. Adam Gunn, M.A., Durness, is to preach the Gaelic sermon in the Crown Church, London, on Sabbath, 11th November, and is also to lecture to the Gaelic Society during the same week. We have no doubt that many of our countrymen will go to hear Mr. Gunn, who is a gifted Gaelic scholar. GAELIC POETRY IN THE MACKAY W COUNTRY. HEN certain members of the Clan Mackay Society were touring through the land of their fathers last September, prizes were offered for original Gaelic poetry, and it is gratifying to have to report that, at almost every centre, competitors came forward with pieces of their own composition, showing not a little merit. Two of these I wrote down to dictation, and now give to the public through the medium of the Celtic Monthly, as a specimen of the Reay Country poetry of to-day. The author of these poems is Mr. John Mackenzie, Dionside, Tongue, who, I am pleased to say, gained the first prize for senior Gaelic reading at Tongue. The first piece, "Bheir sinn StrathNamhuir Oirnn" (We will back to Strathnaver), gives expression to the unquenchable aspiration of the Mackays to see "bonnie Strathnaver" peopled again. The cry back was never so loud, and the hope of realisation never so strong, as it is at the present moment, when the last of the Sellars has just cleared out of the Strath, and the extensive sheep farm of Syre lies unlet in the hands of the Duke of Sutherland. We hope the Duke will rise to the occasion, and, by re-peopling the Strath, raise a lasting monument to his own undoubted large-heartedness and go down to posterity as "the best Duke we have had yet." The second piece, "Marbhrann do Sheumas Cuimineach" (Elegy to James Cumming), sings the praises of the worthy Free Church minister of Melness, who died in 1894, lamented throughout the Reay Country.-I am, &c, 'N àite nan eaorach bithidh tuath, Am feadh 's bhios iarmad Clana Mhic-Aoidh Air strathan's glinn ar n-athraichean. Théid sinn fo dhion na Brataich-Bàin, * Toirt failte gu Strathi-Namhuir duinn. Bithidh gach àraidh, agus cluain, D'am bu dual am fearann ùd. ; MARBHRANN DO SHEUMAS CUIMINEACH. 'S ann air Di-haoine an orduigh fhuair sinn an leon bha cruaidh, Chithear bròn a' tachdadh an teachdair is an t-sluaigh, Cha b' iogantach ged chithear gach fior-fhear sileadh dheur, Bha bearn bhios cruaidh ri charadh air fhàgail anns a' Chléir. Co riamh a chual do bhriathran nach mianaicheadh bhi dluth Air do chòmhradh diadhaidh bhiodh ciallach anns gach cùis? Ach nach mor a' chianalas tha 'm bliadhna air an Tus, Bho nach eil t-aodann fhialaidh togail fianuis 'n ceann a' bhuird? Bha cuid a bha 'cur beinn ort airson t-fhirinn bhi cho cruaidh, 'S gur mor a fhuair thu 'sharachadh le caineadh do luchd fuath, Ach bu bharant duit am Biobull, 's gach firinn th' ann le buaidh; Ruith thu 'n réis gu foghainteach, is fhuair thu nis do dhuais. Cha mhol mi thu, cha 'n urrainn domh do chliu a a chuir an géill, Cha dh' fhuair mi giftean ni e, ged fhnair mi 'n run 's an spéis, Nam faighinn buadhan nàdurra bh' aig bàrdaibh bh' ann air tus, Dh' fhenchainnse ri oidhirp thoirt air cur an géill do chliu. * The Bratach Bàn is the banner of Mackay. and faithful girl is known to all readers of Scottish history, and need not be recounted at length. Amongst the heroines of the past she occupies a distinguished and romantic place. She has been the theme of historians, poets, and painters, of Highland bards and Celtic story, for a century and a half, and her fame, courage, and devotion are known throughout the world wherever Celt has set his foot. After Culloden, and many days of wandering on the West Coast, leading the life of a hunted animal, Prince Charles made his escape to the Long Island, hoping to find a French vessel to take him away. But contrary winds, storms, and hardships drove him from place to place, till at last he gained South Uist, where Clanranald met and concealed him in a hut in the Corradale mountain for fear of detection. He was in rags, and suffering from disease, hunger, and exposure. Forces had landed to search for him, while he was being hunted at the same time by the Macdonalds of Skye, and Macleod of Macleod. A reward of £30,000 was placed on his head. It seemed almost impossible for him to escape, when Flora Macdonald came to his rescue. Descended from a branch of the Clanranald family, she was on a visit at the chief's house at Ormaclade, in South Uist, when asked to assist the Prince. She must already have established a reputation for daring and skill in her island home, or she would not have been selected for the hazardous enterprise. At the time she was 24 years of age, and by her courage, woman's wit, and entire disregard of consequences, she enabled the Prince, disguised as an Irish peasant woman, to make good his escape. At that time her stepfather was attached to Sir Alexander Macdonald's clan, and in command of the Macdonald men searching for the Prince in the island. He was one of the Prince's enemies, and this made Flora's position all the more difficult and dangerous. Notwithstanding this, she readily entered into the scheme for the Prince's rescue. She procured from her stepfather a passport for herself, a man-servant, and a female servant, who was called Betty Burke. The Prince acted the part of Betty Burke in woman's attire. Lady Clanranald dressed the Prince, we are told, with great mirth and raillery, notwithstanding their distress and perplexity. It was a coarse, homely dress, suited to the station of the wearer, a calico gown, with a light coloured quilted petticoat, a mantle of dun camelet, made after the Irish fashion, with a hood joined to it. Thus disguised, and after many scares and dangers, the party reached Kilbride, in Skye, in an open boat. They had to run the gauntlet of the English frigates and Lockhart Papers, II. 544. But ships of war which were watching the islands at every point. It was a service of great hazard, and more than once the boat and its precious freight were in imminent danger. Arrived in Skye they were in Sir Alexander Macdonald's country, and in greater danger than ever. Flora was again equal to the occasion, and resolved on a bold step. She determined to disclose the secret to Lady Macdonald, Sir Alexander's wife, and make a confidant of her. It was a desperate resolve, but Flora knew her woman, and trusted to her compassion, and possibly secret regard for the Prince. Lady Margaret Macdonald was naturally much alarmed, for her husband was away, and her house was filled with military officers working for the Government. In this plight she sent for her factor, Mr Macdonald, of Kingsburgh, a man of courage and intelligence. Flora took the Prince to Macdonald's house, where he made a narrow escape, for more than once the ungainly and awkward Irish female attracted attention and suspicion. From Kingsburgh he was conveyed to Portree, where Flora and he parted, never to meet again. The journey from Uist to Portree occupied three days and nights. From Portree the Prince proceeded first to Raasa, and then to the mainland on Loch Nevis. After further wanderings he arrived at Badenoch, where he joined Cluny and Lochiel, eventually making his escape with Lochiel and about one hundred followers on 20th September, 1746. He landed in Brittany on the 29th of the same month. Flora was afterwards arrested and detained for a time in the Tower, as well as Macdonald of Kingsburgh and others who had helped the Prince to escape. They were pardoned and released. Flora had become a heroine, and after her liberation went to the house of Lady Primrose, a determined Jacobite, where she received persons of rank and distinction, and a purse of £1500. She afterwards married Macdonald of Kingsburgh. They went to America, but returned on account of the Civil War, and settled and died in their native Isle of Skye. Dr. Johnson visited them there in 1773. In his account of the journey he says:-"We were entertained with the usual hospitality by Mr Macdonald and his lady, Flora Macdonald, a name that will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honour. She is a woman of middle stature, soft features, gentle manners, and elegant presence." She died in Skye on 4th March, 1790, at the age of 68. [NOTE.-An interesting account of Flora Macdonald's residence in America, by Mr. J. P. Maclean, illustrated with views of her farm and house, &c., will appear shortly.-EDITOR.] Stewarts, and at the beginning of the present year a general interest in the revival of the old clan seemed to have been aroused. It was then that the subject of our sketch decided to undertake the arduous duty of organising the society, an undertaking which other clansmen did not seem inclined to take in hand. Mr. Stewart, on 17th March, advertised in various papers, inviting those who were interested in forming a Clan Stewart Society to communicate with him. The response was very encouraging, for in less than a month an active committee of twenty clansmen was formed to make arrangements, and on May 30th the Society was formally constituted at a large gathering held in the Masonic Hall, Glasgow, presided over by Stewart of Ardvorlich. Office-bearers were elected, that most enthusiastic of Highlanders, Rev. Dr. Stewart, of Nether-Lochaber, being chosen as first president. The membership already exceeds 250, while the finances are equal to those of many of the other clan societies of several years' standing. The first annual gathering of the Society takes place in St. Andrews' Hall on 8th December, the genial president, "Nether-Lochaber," in the chair, and doubtless there will be a large attendance of Stewarts from all parts of the kingdom-probably the first gathering of the clan since that ill-fated day for the Stewart line when the clans were dispersed at Culloden. And this re-union of the clansmen is not without something to associate it with that last fearless charge of the Appin men at Culloden when they threw themselves on the bayonets of Burrel's regiment. Of the fifty or sixty Stewarts who took part in the charge forty-seven were killed or wounded. At the social gathering on 8th December, Mr. John Stuart of North Dron, a representative of the ancient house of Ballach ulish, is to exhibit the historic banner of the clan which was used at Culloden and which was carried off the field by Donald Livingstone, and thus saved the fate of the fourteen clan banners taken by the Duke of Cumberland and which were burned at Edinburgh Cross by the hands of the common hangman. Curiously enough Mr. Stuart is also the possessor of the colours of Burrel's Regiment, which opposed the Appin men at Culloden, and these he intends exhibiting along with the Stewart flag-a re |