The peat-fire flame : folk-tales and traditions of the Highlands & Islands

THE PEAT-FIRE FLAME
of Berneray—how he crossed the room on tiptoe, and
soundlessly opened the door, and the salt wind blowing fresh
against his cheeks, and the smell of wet seaweed and
pungent bog-myrtle coming sweet to the nostrils—how he
would hear the call of the skua on the rocky promontory,
and the wailing of the moon-restless plover on the hill
behind—how, after the earthing of his love, and the tide
had ebbed in his heart, he would be crossing the Sound of
Berneray continually, and making for the old Pictish tower
known at Dun Sticir, in the shadow of Beinn Bhreac—how
the island folks would be seeing him at low tide upon the
Reef of Berneray, singing wild and strange runes.
When Marcus learned that Manus had the heart of his
cousin, Anne, he was sorely troubled
" They say that the seals are men under magic spell.
Have you ever pondered that thing, Anne, my cousin?"
inquired Marcus.
" I am knowing well what you mean."
" Then you will know that the MacCodrums of North
"
Uist are called the Sliochd nan Ron ?
" I have heard."
" And would you be for marrying a man that is of the
race of the beasts, and himself knowing what geasa means,
and who may any day go back to his people ? "
" Ah, now, Marcus, sure it is making a mock of me you
are. Neither you nor any here believes that foolish thing.
How can a man born of a woman be a seal, even though
his sinnscar (forbears) were the offspring of the seapeople
? "
The same writer again uses the Seal-folk legend in the
Rune of Manus MacCodrum—
" It is I, Manus MacCodrum,
I am telling you that, you, Anndra of my blood,
And you, Neil, my grandfather, and you, and you,
and you
!
—
Ay, ay, Manus my name is, Manus MacManus!
It is I myself, and no other.
Your brother, O Seals of the Sea! "
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