The Prophecies of the Brahan Seer (Coinneach Odhar Fiosaiche)Mackenzie, Alexander
History
The Prophecies of the Brahan Seer (Coinneach Odhar Fiosaiche)
Mackenzie, Alexander
Precognition; Prophecies
Mr. Macintyre supplies another version, as follows: “The day will come
when the hills of Ross will be strewed with ribbons”. It is generally
accepted that this prediction finds its fulfilment in the many good roads
that now intersect the various districts of the country. Other versions
are given, such as ‘a ribbon on every hill, and a bridge on every stream’
(Raoban air gach cnoc agus drochaid air gach alltan); ‘a mill on every
river and a white house on every hillock’ (Muillinn air gach abhainn agus
tigh geal air gach cnocan); and ‘that the hills of the country will be
crossed with shoulder-halts’ (criosan guaille). Since Kenneth’s day mills
were very common, and among the most useful industrial institutions of
the country, as may be evidenced by the fact that, even to this day, the
proprietors of lands, where such establishments were once located, pay
Crown and Bishop’s rents for them. And may we not discover the fulfilment
of “a white house on every hillock” in the many elegant shooting lodges,
hotels, and school-houses now found in every corner of the Highlands.
Mr. Maclennan supplies the following:—There is opposite the shore at
Findon, Ferrintosh, two sand banks which were, in the time of the Seer,
entirely covered over with the sea, even at the very lowest spring
ebbs. Regarding these, Coinneach said, “that the day will come, however
distant, when these banks will form the coast line; and when that
happens, know for a certainty that troublesome times are at hand”. “These
banks,” our correspondent continues, “have been visibly approaching, for
many years back, nearer and nearer to the shore.” This is another of the
class of predictions which might be attributed to natural shrewdness.
It is being gradually fulfilled, and it may be well to watch for the
“troublesome times,” and so test the powers of the Seer.
Other predictions of this class may occur as we proceed, but we have
no hesitation in saying that, however much natural penetration and
shrewdness might have aided Kenneth in predicting such as these, it
would assist him little in prophesying “that the day will come when
Tomnahurich,” or, as he called it, Tom-na-sithichean, or the Fairy Hill,
“will be under lock and key, and the Fairies secured within”. It would
hardly assist him in foreseeing the beautiful and unique cemetery on the
top of the hill, and the spirits (of the dead) chained within, as we now
see it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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