According to the traditions of the
district they had all to the east and south-east of the Crasg,
a hill situated on the west side of the churchyard of Gairloch,
between the present Free and Established Churches. At the east
end of the Big Sand, on a high and easily defended rock, stood
the last stronghold occupied by the Macleods in Gairloch - to this
day known as the "Dun" or Fort. The foundation is still easily
traced. It must have been a place of consider-able importance,
for it is over 200 feet in circumference. Various localities are
still pointed out in Gairloch where desperate skirmishes were
fought between the Macleods and the Mackenzies. Several of these
spots, where the slain were buried, look quite green to this day.
The "Fraoch Eilean," opposite Leac-na-Saighid, where a naval
engagement was fought, is a veritable cemetery of Macleods, ample
evidence of which is yet to be seen. Of this engagement, and of
those at Glasleoid, Lochan-an-Fheidh, Leac-na-Saighid, Kirkton,
and many others, thrilling accounts are still recited by a few
old men in the district; especially of the prowess of Domh'ull
Odhar Mac Ian Leith, and the other Kintail heroes who were
mainly instrumental in establishing the Mackenzies of Gairloch
permanently and in undisputed possession of their beautiful and
romantic inheritance.
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