MacNicol Mor, a chief of the MacNicol clan was engaged in a heated discussion with MacLeod of Raasay. While the two men argued away in English a servant, who could speak only gaelic, presumed that the two leaders were quarreling. The servant, thinking his master in danger, drew out his sword and slew MacNicol Mor. […]
There is an old legend from the Isle of Lewis which tells the story behind “Leum Mhac Nicol” or “Nicholson‘s Leap”, a rockravine which seperates Dùn Othail from the mainland. Legend has it a MacNeacail man had commited a crime and was sentenced by the chief of Lewis to be castrated. Once this horrific sentance […]
This is taken from the Leask Society website: www.clan-leask.org.uk With sadness, we report the death of Madam Leask of Leask, 22nd Chief of the Clan Leask, who died peacefully in her sleep on 25 April 2008. Madam Leask’s funeral will be held at 2.45pm on Thursday 15th May, at St Faith Crematorium, Norwich, NR10 3LF. […]
Opposite the car park in Invermoriston a small wooden sign points to Saint Columba’s Well. The well can be seen after you descend down a few steps. It is believed that a well or spring has been on this site since early Pictish times. Until the 6th century AD the water here was considered to […]
The Well of The Seven Heads sits off Loch Oich, south of Invergarry, you can see it from the roadside. This unusual obelisk was erected by Colonel MacDonnel of Glengarry in 1812 as a memory to his two murdered sons. The sons were murdered in In 1663 when a viscous fight took place with an […]
What is claimed as a carving on a glacial boulder in the town of Westford, in Massachusetts, USA, is argued to be proof that an expedition, led by Henry Sinclair, Earl of Orkney, landed on the North American continent almost 100 years before Christopher Columbus. The ‘carving’ is subject to much speculation over its authenticity, […]
I came across this article in an old copy of Celtic monthly : a magazine for Highlanders (1893). An article by J. G. MACKAY, Portree looks at the physical differences between the average Scot and Englishman. Thought I’d share it: “It is long since I noticed in the course of business that the sizes of […]
To say the Harris Tweed Industry has taken it’s fair few knocks in recent years is probably an understatement. In an attempt to bring new blood into the aging workforce twelve people are to be trained as weavers of Harris Tweed. This course was created after concerns were made by the Members of the Harris […]
Tuesday saw the sad loss of Iain MacNeil, chief of The MacNeils of Barra. He was 80. A popular Chief he will be missed greatly, especially by the people of Barra. He was a remarkable man who led one of the oldest Clans in Scotland. Born in New York, Iain was also educated in the […]
The 25th of January, 2010 is the 251st anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland’s Bard. On this day all around the world, there will be people celebrating his life and work with a Burns supper. At these suppers poetry by Burns is recitied and people will enjoy the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, […]
