Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 5

ALLAN NAN CEEACH. 137
churcli building scheme, according to the directions of his monitor. He
erected ere he died, the seven churches which are still pointed out, and it
is said that the old church of Laggan was one of the seven.
In St Mungo's Island, at the entrance of Loch Leven, near Glenco in
jArgyleshire, there is a burial-place ; and there we find another of Allan
nan Creach's churches. The following story is reported, and firmly be-
lieved at this day in that part of the country : — About the middle of the
last century a man was buried in the island. For several nights after,
the dead man disturbed the whole neighbourhood in Glenco, calling in a
most dolorous strain on a certain individual to come and relieve him.
The man at last set off' for the island in the dead hour of night, and hav-
ing arrived at the grave, found the dead man with his head and neck
fairly above the ground. " What is your business with me," says the
Glenco man, " and why are you disturbing the neighbourhood with your
untimely lamentations after this fashion ?" " I have not," says the dead
.man, " rest night or day since I lay here, nor shall I, as long as this head
18 on my body. I shall give you the reason. In my younger days I
jswore most solemnly that I would marry a certain woman, and that I
: never would forsake her as long as this head remained on my body. At
this time I had a hold of a button, and the moment we parted, I sepa-
rated the head of the button from the neck, thinking that then all was
!right. I now find my mistake. You must, therefore, cut off my head."
The other, fetching a stroke, cut off the head close to the surface of the
ground, and then the dead man dragged the rest of the body back to the
grave, leaving the head to shift for itself. This story is as firmly believed
in Glenco this day, by some people, as any truth of Holy Writ.
TORQUIL.
I EETIEEMENT OF PROVOST ALEXANDER SIMPSON.—
(Apart altogether from Municipal politics, a change in the Chief Magis-
; tracy of the Highland Capital must possess more or less interest for High-
' landers wherever located ; and especially so in the case of one who, like
Provost Simpson, has devoted about a quarter of a century to public affairs.
! During his reign, schemes of great importance to Inverness have been
completed, such as the introduction of Water from Lochashie, the pur-
chase by the Town of the Old Gas and Water Company's business and
plant, and the building of a New Town Hall ; and while a considerable
, difference of opinion exists as to the manner in which these schemes were
carried out, there is none as to the honesty of purpose of the chief actor,
, and the ultimate amelioration and benefit of the town. Provost Simpson
■ had his failings, but they generally leant to virtue's side. He tried to
please all, and of course failed, like others who attempted the impossible.
■ His knowledge of town affairs was unequalled by any member of the
i Town Council, and he was noted for his discharge of the public duties
' pertaining to the office on all occasions where his presence as chief magis-
' trate was considered of advantage to any good cause. He especially encou-
; raged all matters Celtic, and invariably attended officially aU the public
[ meetings of the Gaelic Society, of which he is a chieftain. He carries
\. with him into private life the best wishes of all who know him.