War=cries of the Clans.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIII, Issue 20, 17 November 1909, Page 58

War=cries of the Clans.

Many ’of the war-cries of the great Highland clans are simply names ot castles held by the elans, or of landmarks with which for one reason or another the history of the elan in question is intimately associated. For example, the rallying cry of the MaeGillivrays is "Dumnaglass,” after their ancestral seat, although the clan no longer owns any land in the Highlands. Then the war-cry of the Macintosh, “Loch Moigli, the Loch of the Plain,” is an island where the former chiefs had their strongholds; that of tire Mackenzies, “Tulaeh Ard” (a mountain in Kinta.il); while the Buchanans rally to the call of “Clar Innis” (an island in Loeh Lomond). Some of the clan cries, however, are more interesting, and that of the Camerons has a decidedly cannibal ring about it, for in the Gaelic it is: “Chlanna nan, eon thigibh a so "s gheibh sibh feoil,” which, being interpreted, means “Sons of the hounds come here and get flesh”— a particularly curious example. The Frasers have two cries, namely, “A Mlior-fhaiche” (the Great Field) and “Caisteal Dhunie” (Castle Bownie). The Frasers, by the way, were originally, Normans, but finding their way. north in the twelfth century, eventually attained to the dignity of a true Highland clan. “A Gordon, a Gordon!” is the famous battle-cry of the Gordon elan, while the Maedougalls have often proved true to their boast of “Buaidh no has (“Victory or death”). The proud defiance of the Maedougalls is also that of the MacNeills. The Royal Stewarts do not seem to have had a battle-cry, though their “gathering” pipe tune is “Bratach Bhar nau Stiubhartach” (“The Stewarts’ yyirite Banner”), but Appin Stewarts are soon roused bv the shout of “Creag-an-Sgairbh” (“the Cormorants’ Rock,” on whrob_ ? Castle Stalker was built)'. “Cruaehan” (a mountain near Loch Awe) will set the; fiery Campbells ablaze to this day. The Campbells, by the way,

r*. their name from a facial deformity which characterised them in old days, for Campbell is a corruption of Cambeul, which means “Wry-mouth.” “Gainsay who dare,” is the reckless challenge of the Macdonalds of Clan* iranald. The Fraser clan once did dare, and a battle ensued which was fought iwith such fury that the combatants let ilieij kilts slip, continuing to fight in

their shirts till not ten men aside survived. “Ardchoille” (“The Woody Height”) rarities the clan MacGregor or Gregor, while the “army of the checkered red” of the Macquarries refers to the colour and design of their tartan. Mention the “Black Craig of Clan Chattan” to a Macpherson and you will stir his blood, and you need not remind a MackinnOn to observe the time-honoured in-

junction of his elan 'to “Remember the death of Alpin.” It is not so long ago since Highland priests and clergymen wore the kilt, at least on week-days, and the Highland clergy form a clan by themselves. Naturally, they have no battle-cry, though in the old days they went about armed and even took their weapons into the pulpit; but they have their own tartan,

which is a mixture of black and dark blue, with light-blue or white stripes.

Little Son—“Pa, what makes Willio and me twins?” Father—“ You're both the same age.” Little Son—“So are you and mamma; are you twins?”