The Prophecies of the Brahan Seer (Coinneach Odhar Fiosaiche) — John Shaqi
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. Maclennan’s version is:—“The day will come when the ravens will drink
their full of the Mackenzies’ blood three times off the top of the ‘Clach
Mhor,’ and glad am I (continues the Seer) that I will not live to see
that day, for a bloody and destructive battle will be fought on the Muir
of Ord. A squint-eyed (cam), pox-pitted tailor will originate the battle;
for men will become so scarce in those days that each of seven women will
strive hard for the squint-eyed tailor’s heart and hand, and out of this
strife the conflict will originate.”
Mr. Macintyre writes regarding these:—“The prophecies that ‘the raven
will drink from the top of ‘Clach an t-Seasaidh,’ its full of the blood
of the Mackenzies for three successive days,’ and ‘that the Mackenzies
would be so reduced in numbers, that they would be all taken in an open
fishing-boat (scuta dubh) back to Ireland from whence they originally
came,’ remain still unfulfilled.”
In the Kintail versions of these predictions they are made to apply to
the Macraes, who are to get so scarce that a cripple tailor of the name
is to be in such request among the ladies as to cause a desperate battle
in the district between themselves and the Maclennans, the result of
which will be that a black fishing wherry or “scuta dubh” will carry
back to Ireland all that remains of the clan Macrae, but no sooner do
they arrive than they again return to Kintail. Before this was to take
place, nine men of the name of Macmillan would arrive at manhood (assume
their bonnets) in the district; assemble at a funeral at Cnoc-a-Chlachain
in Kilduich, and originate a quarrel. At this exact period, the
Macraes, would be at the height of their prosperity in Kintail, and
henceforth begin to lose their hold in the country of their ancestors.
The Macmillans have actually met in this spot and originated a quarrel
as predicted, although nothing could have been more unlikely, for in
the Seer’s day there was not a single one of the name in Kintail, nor
for several generations after. It is somewhat remarkable to find that
the Maclennans are at this very time actually supplanting the Macraes
as foretold, for the last two of the ancient stock—the late tenants of
Fernaig and Leachachan—who left the district have been succeeded in their
holdings by Maclennans; and other instances of the same kind, within
recent years, are well known.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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