Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 2

^26 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
THE PKOPHECIES OF THE BRAHAN SEER, COIN N EACH
ODHAR FWSAICHE.
By the Editor.
[Continued.]
Mr Maclennax describes the cause of Coinvcnclis doom almost in tlie
same terms as IMr^Macintyre; the only ditfereiice being, that while the former
has the young ladies amusing themselves on the green outside, the latter
describes them having a grand dance in the great hall of Brahan Castle,
after -wliich he gives the following account of the prophet's end : —
lu terms of her expressed resolution, Lady Seaforth, some days after
this magnificent entertainment, caused the Seer to be seized, bound liand
and foot, and carried forthwith to the Ness of Chanonry, where, .
despite his pitiful looks and lamentable cries, he was iuhuiiianly throAvn,
head foremost, into a barrel of burning tar, the inside of whi.ch was thickly
studded with sharp and long spikes driven in from the outside.
On the very day npoii which Coinneacli was sent away from the cas-
tle to meet his cruel ftite. Lord Seaforth arrived, and Avas immediately in-
formed of his Lady's resolution, and that Coinneacli was already Avell on
his way to the Chanonry, where he was to be burnt that very day, under
clerical supervision and approval. My lord, knoAving well the vindic-
tive and cruel nature of his Countess, believed the story to be only too
true. He Avaited neither for food nor refreshment; called neither for
groom nor for servant, but hastened immediately to the stable; saddled
his favourite steed Avith his OAvn hands (Lairds were not so proud in those
days), and set off at full speed, hoping to reach Chanonry Point befiu-e
the diabolical intention of her ladyship and her religious (!) advisers could
be carried into effect. Never before nor since, it is said, did Seaforth rido
eo furiously as he did on that day. He Avas soon at Eortrose, Avhen he
observed a dense smoke rising higher and higher from the promontory be-
loAV. He felt his Avholc frame giving Avay, and a cold SAveat came over his
Avhole body, for he felt that the foul deed Avas, or Avas about to be, perpe-
trated. He, hoAvever, pulled himself together Avith fresh energy and re-
doubled vigour, and spurred his steed, Avhich had already been driven
beyond its poAvers of endurance, to reach the fatal spot in time to save
the Seer's life. "Within a fcAv paces, however, of Avhere the smoke AA'as
rising the poor bnite could endure the strain no longer, and it fell doAvn
under him and died on the spot. Still determined, if possible, to arrive
in time, he rushed forAvard, on foot, crying out at the height of his voice
to those congregated at the spot, to save their victim. It Avas, hoAvever,
too late, for AAdiether Seaforth AA^as heard or not, the victim of his lady's
rage and vindictive nature had been thrown into the burning barrel
a feAv moments before his intended deliverer had reached the fatal spot.
The time Avhen this happened is not so very remote as to lead us to
suppose that tradition could so grossly blunder as to record such a horrible