Blair Collection > Treatise on the language, poetry, and music of the Highland clans

OF THE HIGHLAND CLANS. 243
also remark that this humourous satire was tlie less calculated to give offence,
because the retrograde movement of the left wing of the Highlanders was
palpably caused by mismanagement, — ludicrously accelerated by the conduct of
a nobleman, who, in the novel position in which he found himself, lost his
presence of mind, and made " confusion worse confounded," and, especially,
because the clans that " ran away" were kept in countenance by the running
away of at least an equal number on the other side. Hence this singular battle
was literally regarded as a burlesque by both parties. However, nobody doubted
or could doubt the patriotism or heroism either of an Erskine, a Gordon, a
Cameron, or a Mackenzie. The clans could, therefore, aflbrd to laugh, and did
laugh heartily, at DomhnuU Mac Eaonuill's humourous description of the blunders
of " Latha Sliabh an t-Shirradh." Eouald of the Shield, Donald's father, speaks
of Sir Ewen of Lochiel, in his verses on Killiecrankie, with great admiration,
and both he and his sou had many connexions and relatives among the Camerons.
The wives of Lundavra and Meoble were the aunts of Domhnull Mac Eaonuill's
wife, and their sons were present in the battle, along with their fathers. It is
said that the song above mentioned, written by a Cameron, in which he rather
violated good taste by a too exaggerated praise of his clan, was the cause of
Donald's severity. The conduct of the Camerons under their illustrious chief
in " the battles of three kings" really justified the family bai'd in speaking of
them with enthusiasm ; but nothing was more distasteful to the plain, honest,
Highland warrior than self-laudation. In this he was not singular. Brave men
of all ages and countries abominated self-glorification and gasconade. Than
that of their Spanish friends, nothing could be more nauseous to "Wellington's
army, who were themselves perfectly contented with the stinted measure of
praise conceded by their leader, knowing that their deeds spoke for them. I
have it on good authority, that Donald thought the Camerons made too much of
their laurels, and hence that he willingly availed himself of their escapade at
Sheriffmuir to rebuke their egotism. Be that as it may, he was more severe on
the Camerons than on any of the other clans that had been bungled on the
occasion. Hence Sir Ewen, who was confined to bed from age and infirmity,
on hearing the song, thought that the Camerons were the first to run away ;
and, ascribing their supposed degradation to the leading of the young chief, his
son, he was so indignant as to have determined on putting him to death with
his own hand. He desired his henchman to send in the young chief, " as he
wanted to question him on the above subject." The faithful clansman did as
he was bid ; but having seen the old man feeling the edge of the sword (which
usually lay by his bedside) with his hand, before sending him for his son, he
took the alarm, and cautioned him to keep away from his father's couch. In a
conversation in reference to this tradition with one of Sir Ewen's gallant
descendants. General Eoss of Glenmoidart, he corroborated this part of it with an
expression of face which left the impression that he strongly sympathised with
his illustrious ancestor's feelings on the subject of the flight at Sheriffmuir.
Domhnull Mac Eaonuill and Donnacha-ban-nan-oran were great friends,
although the former was a much older man, and they fought on different sides