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

THE PEAT-FIRE FLAME
committed ; but to-day the Cam a' Ghille, or Lad's Cairn, is
not to be seen. The belief is that it may have sunk down
into the peaty soil, and gradually disappeared from view.
But the spot is said to be haunted ; and even yet children,
who have been told the story of the three witches, hesitate to
pass this way after nightfall. In fact, I have met elderly
people in Skye who deliberately avoid this crossing-place in
the dark, when possible. But most overland traffic between
Dunvegan and Vaternish must of necessity cross at this
point.
—
The Drowning of Lmn Gareh.
It was through the schemings of witches that one of the
MacLeods of Raasay lost his life. This MacLeod was
greatly disliked by the Skye witches, because he was wont
to deal out rough justice to them when they defaulted in
any way. Eventually they arranged to assemble by the
shore at the Narrows of Raasay, not far from the Braes,
and to watch for his galley when it was likely to be sailing
between his island home and Portree. This they did ; and
on one occasion, when they perceived his boat to be a
convenient distance from the shore, a picked contingent of
them was transformed into cats, and made for the boat.
By huddling together at the poop, they capsized it. Thus
MacLeod was drowned. Thereafter the cats swam ashore
m great exultation, and once more resumed their human
appearance.
Witchcraft is also believed to have encompassed the death
of that dauntless member of the family of MacLeod of
Raasay called Iain Garbh. An entry in the year, 1671, in the
Folichronon, that most illuminating record of the Highlands
written during the seventeenth century by James Fraser,
minister of Wardlaw, throws the following contemporary
light on the untimely death of Iain Garbh MacLeod of
Raasay :
" This April the Earle of Seaforth duelling in the Lewes,
a dreadful accident happened. His lady being brought to
bed there, the Earle sent for John Garve M'kleud of Rarsay,
to witness the christning; and, after the treat and solmnity
of the feast, Rarsay takes leave to goe home, and, after a
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