Ossian Collection > Journey to the western islands of Scotland

310 A JOURNEY TO THE
Very near the houle of Maclean ftands
the caftle of Col, which was the manfion of
the Laird, till the houle was built. It is
built upon a rock, as Mr. Bofwell remark-
ed, that it might not be mined. It is
very flrong, and having been not long
uninhabited, is yet in repair. On the
wall was, not long ago, a ftone with aa
infcription, importing, that if any man
of the clan of Maclonich fhall appear
bsfore this cafile-t though he come at mid-
iiight, ivith a mane's head in his hand, he
Jhall there find fafety and proteBion againji
all hut the King.
This is an old Highland treaty made upon
a very memorable occafion. Maclean, the
fon of John Gtr'ves, who recovered Col, an(|
conquered Barra, had obtained, it is faid,
from James the Second, a grant of the lands
of Lochiel, forfeited, I fuppofe, by fome
fiffenpe againft the flatc.
Forfeited