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

FOLK-TALES OF THE ROW AND ARROW
to the beautiful hill-road leading round the base of Inverlaidnan
Hill and over General Wade's bridge at Sluggan to
Slochd, the " Pit " through which passes the railway and
the Great North Road between Perth and Inverness. This
monument bears the following inscription :— " Erected by
the Carrbridge Gaelic Ceilidh in memory of Iain Beag
MacAndrea who lived here early in the 17th century. He
was a noted Archer and by his skill with the Bow and Arrow
prevented many Cattle Raiders entering Strathspey."
Iain Beag's home was located at Dalnahaitnach ; and the
shepherds and gamekeepers employed in this solitary region
actually give this name to the heap of stones said to have
formed its walls.
Of the exploits of Ian Beag MacAndrea, little to-day
is remembered, though in the following folk-tale the
recollection of his prowess is perpetuated. With his bow
and arrow Iain Beag had killed a cattle-riever ; and nothing
would satisfy the riever's kinsfolk but that Iain Beag should
be brought to account. Thus it was that one day, while
Iain was seated by his fireside at Dalnahaitnach, eight men
crowded on his threshold, seeking his life.
" Is it Iain Beag you'll be wanting? " asked his wife on
going to the door with an air of indifference.
" Well, he's up the brae with the cattle," she replied to
their answering her in the affirmative. " I'll send the herd
after him," she continued.
Thereupon she turned to Iain, and in the presence of those
seeking vengeance gave him a good, Scots clout on the lug,
and sent him off after his master. Meanwhile she hastily
prepared a meal for the eight visitors. When they had
finished the meal, one by one they filed out of the house,
impatient to encounter the object of their visit. As they
filed out, one by one they were brought down by the arrows
of Iain Beag, who in the interval had concealed himself
among the boughs of a pine-tree commanding the doorway
of his home at Dalnahaitnach.
And I am assured by those inhabiting the upper
reaches of Strath Spey and Strath Dearn that even yet
you may trace the graves of the slain, down by the River
Dulnain.
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