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

FOLK-TALES OF HIGHLAND HOSPITALITY
reach. And for their breach of Highland HospitaHty the
MacLeods were held up to scorn for many a day. As
Donald Mac Iain Mhic Sheumais and his kinsmen sailed
away in their galley for Uist, the Clan Ranald piper played
a tune that ever since has been known as The MacLeods are
Disgraced.
Doubtless, this is the incident that was in the mind of
Sir Walter Scott when he wrote the lines
" When, if a hope of safety rest,
—
'Tis on the sacred name of guest.
Who seeks for shelter, storm-distressed.
Within a chieftain's hall."
Donald Gorm Storm-stayed at Dunvegan.
A similar attempt to ensnare the crew of a Clan Ranald
birlinn was made by MacLeod when Donald Gorm Mac-
Donald, on a return voyage to Uist, was forced to seek
shelter in Loch Dunvegan. At this time there was great
and bitter rivalry between Rory Mor and Donald Gorm.
So, Dunvegan was scarcely the place that the latter would
have selected by choice, had stress of storm not compelled
him to land in this neighbourhood.
Tradition has it that MacLeod saw Donald Gorm's galley
making for the shore in the storm, and that, in accordance
with the custom of the country, he despatched a messenger to
convey his greetings to the crew, and to invite it to accept
MacLeod's hospitality at Dunvegan Castle. Donald Gorm
and his men were ready in the circumstances to accept ; and
they duly made their way to the Castle, which in those days
was so noted for its hospitality as to have been known as
the Dun of the Hospitality of the Winecups.
But, w^ien MacLeod invited his illustrious guest to seat
''
himself at his host's table, Donald Gorm replied : When
from home, Donald Gorm never sits but in the company of
his men." Hard as the Chief of MacLeod tried to assure
him that his men would be amply provided for in another
apartment, Donald Gorm became obdurate. The more
MacLeod attempted to persuade him, the more determined
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