The Celtic Magazine, Vol. I, No. VI, April 1876: A Monthly Periodical Devoted to the Literature, History, Antiquities, Folk Lore, Traditions, and the Social and Material Interests of the Celt at Home and AbroadVarious
History
The Celtic Magazine, Vol. I, No. VI, April 1876: A Monthly Periodical Devoted to the Literature, History, Antiquities, Folk Lore, Traditions, and the Social and Material Interests of the Celt at Home and Abroad
Kreshinish refused to deliver them up. A bloody struggle ensued,
during which the Gillie More inflicted a fatal wound upon the
ill-fated young chieftain who unwittingly (at first) had interfered
with the sports of another. This brought the affray to a speedy
conclusion, and Shiel Torquil with his follower carried off deer and
dogs in triumph. Not long after this the poor old father of
Kreshinish came to Skye to seek for the murderer of his son, and
publicly offered the reward of a bag of silver to any one who would
show him the guilty man. The Gillie More, hearing of the promised
guerdon, boldly entered the presence of the elder Kreshinish.
Confessing that he himself had slain the youthful chieftain, he urged
in self-defence the young man's overbearing conduct in attempting to
carry off Shiel Torquil's stag-hounds and game. The bereaved father,
obliged by the stringent laws of Highland honour to fulfil his solemn
promise, reluctantly bestowed the bag of silver on the very man who
had cut off his only child in the early bloom of manhood. The Gillie
More, however, haunted by remorse, and still fearing the avenger's
footstep, entreated his master to accept the money and build
therewith a retreat for them both. Shiel Torquil granted his
henchman's request. After some time spent in searching for a suitable
site, they at last selected the wild easterly shore of Raasay. Here
were speedily raised the frowning walls of Castle Brochel. Secured
from sudden attack by the inaccessible situation of their refuge, the
Gillie More and his master lived in peace for many years. Their
retired habits, and their dislike to intruders, coupled with this
strange tale of robbery and murder, caused the Castle, though
newly-built, to be regarded with no friendly eye. When they died, it
was left untenanted for a considerable time. Many reports were
circulated concerning the strange sights and sounds to be seen and
heard at the eerie hour of twilight, or amid the silent watches of
the night, by the belated traveller who chanced to pass that way by
sea or by land. At the period of which we speak, Castle Brochel had,
however, for some time been inhabited by a being whose origin was
partially shrouded in mystery, the gloomy Eudæmon, known as the
"Enchanter of the North."
It will be seen that our author is ignorant of the Gaelic language; for
she thinks _Shiel Torquil_--or correctly, _Siol Torquil_--is a proper
name, and applies it to a person, instead of a sept or branch of the
Macleods. She is also defective in her knowledge of Hebridean geography.
Old _Kreshinish_--correctly _Grishernish_--comes _to_ Skye, while we all
know the place, and the man, who was called after it, to be _in_ Skye.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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