Shortly after this engagement another attempt was made by the
Macleods to regain the lands of Gairloch, the history of which is
still a prominent and interesting feature in the local traditions
of the parish. The affair is called "Latha Leac-na-Saighead."
Mr John H. Dixon gives a good version of it, as related to him
by Roderick Mackenzie, locally known as Ruairidh an Torra - an
intelligent man of about ninety who only died two years ago - in
his interesting book on the history and traditions of the parish
of Gairloch. According to Roderick's version, as given by Mr Dixon,
many of the Macleods, after they had been driven from Gairloch,
settled in Skye. A considerable number of the younger men were
invited by their chief to pass Hogmanay night in the Castle of
Dunvegan. In the kitchen there was an old woman known as Mor Bhan,
who was usually occupied in carding wool, and generally supposed to
be a witch. After dinner the men began to drink, and when they had
passed some time in this occupation, they sent to the kitchen for
Mor Bhan. She at once joined them in the hall, and having drunk one
or two glasses along with them, she remarked that it was a very poor
thing for the Macleods to be deprived of their own lands in Gairloch,
and to have to live in comparative poverty in Raasay and the Isle
of Skye.
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