Ossian Collection > Waifs and strays of Celtic tradition > Volume 1

PREFACE.
These Tales open with contributions from three
reverend gentlemen belonging to the Church of Scot-
land, all of thern accomplished Gaelic scholars, namely,
the Reverend D. Maclnnes, than whom no better
Celtic scholar could be named, nor one more capable
of extracting the ore from that rich mine of hidden
wealth, the traditions of the people of the country
among whom he lives and by whom he is much
beloved.
The same applies to the Reverend Jas. McDougall
Duror, Ballachulish, Appin, whose charge lies close
to the solemn glen made famous by the inhuman
massacre of Glencoe.
It will be acknowledged that the fairy tale supplied
by the Reverend Duncan M. Campbell of Tynribbie,
Appin, is of great quaintness, for the rapid flight of
the Highlander to Rome beats the performances of
the famous Peter Schlemihl. The questions put by
"Finn", or "Fionn", and the answers supplied by the
ready " mother-wit" of the maiden, were sent by Mr.
George Clark, head-keeper at Roseneath, who lived
in former years in Glen Shira, near Inverary, and
who is a Highlander, a man whose heart and soul
lay in his profession. When in his prime, the boldest
poacher of the Clydeside thought twice before coming
to grips with this man, whose stern face and flashing