Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 2

THE CELTIC MAGAZINE. 23
be shown or quarter givun on cither side." It is perlia[).s unnecessary to
point out how literally this prophecy has been fullilled on the occasion of
the last battle fought on British soil. AVe have received several other
versions of this one from diflereut parts of tlie country', almost all in
identical terras.
"The time Avill come when Avhisky or dram shops will be so plentiful
that one may be met -vAath at the head of almost every plougli furrow." —
" Thig an lat-ha 'sam hi tighean-oU cJio Uonmhor 's nacli mornachfhake.ar
tigh-osda aig ceann gach clcdsc." " Policemen will become so numerous
in every town that they may be met with at the corner of every street."
" Travelling merchants " [pedlars and hawkers we presume] " will be so
plentiful that a person can scarcely walk a mile on tlie public high- way
without meeting one of them."
"We take the following from " A Summer in Skye," by the late Alex-
ander Smith, author of " A Life Drama." Describing Dunvegan Castle
and its surroundings, he sa^'s : — "Dun Kenneth's prophecy has come to
pass — 'In the days of Xorman, son of the third Korman, there will be a
noise in the doors of the people, and wailing in the house of the widow ;
and ]\Iacleod will not have so many gentlemen of his name as will row a
five-oared boat round the ^Maidens.' If the last trumpet had been sounded
at the end of the French war, no one but a ]Macleod would have risen out of
the church-yard of Dunvegan. If you want to sec a chief (of the INIacleods)
noAv-a-days you must go to I>ondon for him." There can be no question
as to these having been fulfilled to the letter.
]\Ir ]\Iaclennan supplies us with the following : — There is opposite the
shore at Findon, Ferrintosh, two sand banks, which were in the time of
the Seer entirely covered over with the sea, even at the very loAvest spring
ebbs. Eegarding these, Coiimcach said, " that the day will come, however
distant, when these banks will form the coast line ; and Avhen that
happens, know for a certainty that troublesome times are at hand." " These
banks," our correspondent continues, " have been visibly approaching for
many years back, nearer and nearer to the shore." This is another of the
class of predictions which might be attributed to natural shrewdness. It
is being gradually fulfilled, and it may be well to watch for the '• trouble-
some times," to test the poAvers of the Seer. He foretold, "that, hoAvever
distant it may noAv appear, the Island of Lcavs Avill be laid Avaste by a
destructive AA'ar, Avhich Avill continue till the contending armies, slaughter
ing each other as they proceed, reach Tarbart in Harris. In the CaA\-.s of
Tarbert, the retreating host Avill suddenly halt ; an onslaught, led by a
left-handed ^Macleod, called Donald, son of Donald, son of Donald, Avill
then be made upon the pursuers. The only Aveapon in this champion's
hands avlU be a black sooty co.har, taken off a neighbouring hut ; but his
intrepidity and courage Avill so inspirit the fugitives tliat they Avill fight
like mighty men and overpoAver their pursuers. The Lcavs AviU then
enjoy a long period of repose.". It has not hitherto been even suggested that
this prophecy has been fulfilled, and Ave here stake the rei)utation of our
prophet upon the fulfilment of this, and the folloAving unfulfilled predic-
tions, Avliich are still current throughout the ^s'orthern Counties of
Scotland.
Another, by Avhich the faith of future generations may Ic tested,