History of the Clan MacLean from its first settlement at Duard Castle, in the Isle of Mull, to the present period

Superstitions.
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broken across. This was owned by the MacLeans of Duard, and then passed
to the family of Ross. It is now owned by Colin A. MacVean, who received
it from his mother.
Superstitions persistently inculcated for ages, produce hereditary tenden-
cies in that direction. It must not then be surprising if more or less of it re-
mains in Mull, and even at this late date ; but to find it in a church dignitary
does not speak well for his enlightenment. The present MacLean of Lochbuie
was instrumental in building, near his mansion, St. Kilda's chapel. He informed
me that he had decided to call the structure St. Oran's chapel. The rector re-
lated to the bishop the legend of St. Oran : That he was a companion of St.
Columba ; that as fast as St. Columba built the walls of his monastery on lona,
the walls, during the night, would be thrown down by some evil spirit ; that
the monks consulted, and then decided a human victim should be buried alive
MacLean Leug.
MacLean Leug
that the evil spirit might be appeased; that St. Oran generously offered him-
self, and consequently was entombed alive. At the end of three days St.
Columba was moved to behold his faithful companion, and caused the earth
to be removed. To the surprise of all, St. Oran started up and began to re-
veal the secrets of the tomb, amons other things, declarino; that what he said
about hell was a mere joke. This so shocked St. Columba that he caused St.
Oran to be forcibly re-entombed. After hearing the above recital the bishop
refused to dedicate the chapel to St. Oran. Lochbuie, disgusted by the credu-
lity of both his rector and bishop, and somewhat nettled, declared firmly that
its name should be St. Kilda.
While on Mull I lost my penknife, and on asking a very intelligent High-
land gentleman where I could procure another, he replied : " I will sell you this
one (exhibiting a three-bladed one) for a penny." It was not the penny he
cared for, but the superstition of evil befalling the presentation of a sharp in-