Perthshire Quotations

In the centre of the Sma Glen, a stupendous pass of the
Perthshire Mountains, there is a huge stone of cubical
form, designated Clach Ossian, or Ossian’s Stone. It is
believed to have formed the primitive memorial stone of
the great Celtic bard. When General Wade was
constructing in 1746 the Highland road which passes
through the glen, his men ascertained that Ossian’s Stone was resting on four large slab stones placed edgewise. On the removal of the formidable cover a chamber was discovered about two feet square, in which were contained the debris of bones and fragments of coins. The opening of the tomb caused the natives to assemble from vast distances. They took up the slabs, and the relics which they enclosed, and carried them in solemn procession to a sequestered spot among the hills, where they reinterred them amidst the sound of martial music.
Rev. Charles Rogers

To Captain Robert Campbell of Glenlyon ‘For Their
Majesties’ Service’. Sir, You are hereby ordered to fall upon the rebels, the MacDonalds, of Glencoe, and put all to the sword under seventy. You are to have special care that the old fox and his sons doe upon no account escape your hands. You are to secure all the avenues, that no man escape. This you are to put in execution att five o’clock in the morning precisely, and by that time, or very shortly after it, I’ll strive to be att you with a stronger party. If I doe not come to you att five, you are not to tarry for me, but to fall on. This is by the king’s special command, for the good and safety of the country, that these miscreants be cutt off root and branch. See that this be putt in execution without feud or favour, else you may expect to be treated as not true to the king’s government, nor a man fitt to carry a commission in the king’s service. Expecting you will not faill in the fulfilling hereof as you love yourself, I subscribe these with my hand.
Robert Duncanson Ballocholis,
12th February, 1692

Return To Scottish Quotations