Matheson Collection > Gaelic songs

SHORT MEMOIR OF LIFE OF WILLIAM ROSS
to the sea at Broadford, lies a farmhouse called
Corriehatachain, or briefly, Corrie, now Old Corrie.
The old road leading to it leaves the church road at
Sithean, passes round and down behind the hamlet,
crosses the stream by ford, and directly approaches
the old farmhouse, near the foot of Beinn na Caillich.
It is now a ruin, but the walls, still standing,
show the door in the middle between two windows,
and some remains of a second storey. The windows
and doorcheeks are of dressed native stone somewhat
resembling freestone. The door lintel under which the
visitors must have passed has been removed to a securer
site to prevent its entire destruction by vandalism.
Altogether notwithstanding its delapidation, the
house though small gives still the impression of great
strength and stability, combined with unusual taste
and elegance. In the eighteenth century it was the
property of Sir Alexander Macdonald, but being
situated in the MacKinnon country (Srath Mhic-
Ionmhuinn, No. i, 3) it was tenanted by a tacksman
of that name.
This scene of the poet's boyhood has become famous
because Dr Johnson on his memorable journey to the
Hebrides, accompanied by Boswell, visited Corrie on
two separate occasions, both on his outward journey
and on his return. The travellers left Armadale on
Monday, 6th September 1773, and reached Corrie
the same day, remaining there till Wednesday 8th,
afternoon, when they left for Raasay. They arrived
at Corrie on the return journey, on Saturday,
25th September, and left for Sleat on Tuesday, 28th.
On both occasions they would pass quite close to the
birthplace of the poet.