Blair Collection > Sar-obair nam bard gaelach, or, The beauties of Gaelic poetry, and lives of the Highland bards > Volume 1

DUGHALL BOCHANNAN. 167
DUGIIALL BOCHANNAN.
DuGALD Buchanan was born in the parish of Balquidiler, Perthshire, in the year
1716. His father was a small fanner, who also rented a mill. His mother was an excel-
lent and pious woman ; but, unfortunately for him, she died when he was only six years
old. His father gave him such education as he could afford ; and that appears to have
been more than was commonly taught at country schools at that time. When he was
only twelve years of age, he was sent to teach in another family, where he did not im-
prove in his morals, as he learned to curse and swear. When lie was farther advanced
in life, he became loose and immoral, associating with bad company, and apparently
regardless of the pious example that had been set before him by his mother. When he
grew up, he was apprenticed to a house-carpenter in Kippen, where he did not continue
long, till he removed to Dumbarton. Here he continued the same course of profane and
sinful practice tliat afterwards caused him much trouble and remorse of conscience during
many years, until he at last obtained peace with God, and became a sincere and eminent
Christian. He does not appear to have settled long in any place, till the " Society for
Propagating Christian Knowledge" appointed him schoolmaster and catechist at Kenloch
Ranoch, in the year 1755. In this remote place he laboured with great pains and dili-
gence in his calling during the remainder of his days ; and here he composed those hymns
which will render his name as lasting as the language in which they are written. Besides
the hymns, he wrote a diary, which was published in the year 1836, with a memoir qf the
author prefixed. From this memoir we shall copy a short abstract of his labours and
diligence at Kenloch Ranoch. Although he was not a regular licentiate, he acted as a
kind of missionary ; and exhorted, preached, catechised, and reproved, till he wrought a
great reformation on the people in that district : — " Ranoch is an extensive district, in
the parish of Fortingall. It is situated at a great distance from the church, and the
clergyman visited it at long intervals. The people, therefore, instead of assembling on
Sabbath to worship God, generally met to play at foot-ball. Moved with zeal for the
glory of God, and grieved at the sins he witnessed, he zealously set about reforming the
people, by convincing them of the sinfulness of their ways. Finding it impossible to
bring them together for prayer or exhortation, he would follow them to the scene of tlieir
sinful amusements, and there reason with them about death and judgment to come. By
the great and disinterested anxiety he manifested for their spiritual welfare, some of them
were brought to a better observance of the Sabbath, by uniting with him in the worship
of God. The impression made on the minds of those who came to hear him was such,
that they persuaded their friends and neighbours to come also, which gradually drew a
more numerous attendance. His piety and excellence of character becoming now