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The first or 'Old Statistical Account'
Number LXXII - 1791 to 1799
Parish of Tongue, County of Sutherland
By the Rev. Mr William McKenzie, and the Rev. Mr Hugh Ross
Antiquities:
At Melness there are the remains of an ancient building; but so ruinous, and so covered with earth, that its original form cannot be distinctly traced. It is called Dun Bhuidh, the yellow heap, and supposed to be erected by Dornadilla, king of the Scotch. The Skeletons of two men were found buried near it some years ago. One of them measured in length above 7 feet. Upon being exposed for some time to the air, they mouldered into dust. At the distance of about half a mile from melness, there are several heaps of stones, and ruins of small circular buildings, scattered at various distances, on a rising ground near the sea. The circular buildings are said to have been folds, erected to guard the younger cattle from the wolves, with which, it is supposed, the country was once infested.. No account is given of these heaps, though, from the size and situation of them, it should seem a battle had been fought on the spot.
On the east side of the bay lies Tongue, one of the seats of Lord Reay, a beautiful spot, laid out into gardens, surrounded with beautiful trees, which, in some points of view seem on the one side to wave their tops among the cliffs of Ben Laoghal; and, on the other, to lose themselves in the ruins of Caistal a Bharruich, a structure so ancient, that there is no consistent tradition concerning it. Perhaps it was possessed by John Mackay Abarach, the greatest name for heroism in this parts of the Highlands; and, what renders this conjecture the more plausible, there is a cave in the rock upon which the castle is built, called Leabuidh Eoin Abaruich, i.e. John of Lochaber's bed, whither he is said to have retired in times of danger. A family of the Mackays are descended from him, and are reported still to have in their possession his banner, with this motto, wrought in golden letters, Biodh Treun, Biodh Treun, i.e. Be Valiant.
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