Ossian Collection > Peat-fire flame

FOLK-TALES OF THE '15 AND THE '45
off his coat in order to be less impeded in his flight from
Cumberland's troops. And it is said that the coat was picked
up by his foster-brother, Murdoch MacAskill to name, who
was following closely behind. On gaining some degree of
safety, MacAskill examined the coat more carefully, and
found it to have been riddled by bullet-holes. But not one
of the bullets had left any mark on MacLeod of Berneray,
which proved the efficacy of the charm put upon him by
the Skye-woman.
MacDougall of Dunollie and the '45.
The stories of the '15 and of the '45 are not all of
Jacobites being sent off with blessings to the wars, however.
The MacDougalls of Lome had suffered severely as the
result of their participation in the '15. Iain Ciar Mac-
Dougall, the Chief at the time, had quitted his Castle of
Dunollie to join the Earl of Mar on behalf of King James,
the Old Chevalier; and his performance at Sheriftmuir
necessitated his going into hiding for a dozen years or so,
and resulted in the forfeiture of his estates. Not until 1727
did he receive the king's pardon. With these misfortunes
still fresh in their memories, the MacDougalls abstained
from taking part in the '45 ; and there is a tradition in
Argyll that, in order to ensure that the next chief did not
actively espouse the cause of Prince Charlie, his wife spilt
a basin of boiling water on his foot, thereby incapacitating
him for the time being !
Charmed Stones.
Throughout the Highlands and Islands in olden times
there were several stones that effected miraculous cures, or
that put a seun or spell on anyone about to face danger or
the rigours of a long journey. Even to this day belief
survives in the occult properties of such charmed stones.
The Campbells of Ardvorlich owned a charmed stone,
which was known throughout Perthshire as the Red Stone
of Ardvorlich. This stone was most efficacious in curing
ailing cattle or sheep; but it also won a reputation for
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