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

FOLK-TALES OF DOl'GHTY MEN AND DOIT.TITY DEEDS
"But where are your men, Rob?" asked the Laird of
Rothiemurchus in agitated tone.
" Leave that to me ! " repHed the MacGregor ; and with
that he summoned his piper, whom he directed to march up
and down in front of the Doune, playing MacGregor's
Gathering. As the piper continued to play, groups of
MacGregors in twos and threes made their appearance, until
at length Rob Roy was surrounded by more than a hundred
of the best men of the Clan Gregor. The Highland
seannachie relates in connection with this incident that " the
piper had orders not to stop playing till all were out, and
it nearly burst him !
"
Now, as the MacGregors appeared in twos and threes, the
MacKintoshes disappeared in fours and fives, until
eventually not one of their kind was to be seen anywhere.
Finally, Rob Roy sent to the MacKintosh a communication
in the Gaelic, warning him that, if ever it came to his ears
that he was interfering in any way with MacAlpine, or
trespassing feloniously within the confines of Rothiemurchus,
he would send through the MacKintosh's country
a band of picked men with fire and sword.
As Rob Roy was taking leave of MacAlpine, he made
the observation that it was a far cry to the country of the
MacGregors, and that probably none of MacAlpine's
followers knew the shortest route. Rob, therefore, left
behind him at the Doune two MacGregors, who were noted
for their fleetness of foot, and who were to be sent forth
to fetch him in the event of any further trouble with the
MacKintosh.
This story had an interesting sequel when one of the
MacGregors left at the Doune fell in love with, and married.
MacAlpine's natural daughter, Mary of the Yellow Locks.
Since MacAlpine himself was strongly opposed to the
match, the couple was obliged to seek concealment in a
remote part of Rothiemurchus. When, some years later,
MacAlpine was on a solitary tour of inspection of his estate,
he lost his way. Eventually he came upon a humble bothy
and Mary, recognising him, quickly apprised her husband,
so that he was able to hide in the surrounding pine-woods
for which Rothiemurchus is
217
famous. MacAlpine duly
;