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Two Ravens
ALASDAIR OF LOCHBOISDALE WAS KNOWN far and
wide as a skilful and canny farmer. His herds grew but the
beasts were known as much for their quality as their
number. He could sell them for breeding as well as for
meat. He was also a strong fellow and would walk the hills
for miles. Many a local woman cast a glance in his direction
but they all knew he was destined to make a match with a
higher circle of Highland society.
It was no real surprise when his family met with the
Macleods of Dunvegan who, at that time, had an unmarried
daughter known for her looks and her wit. That family had
perhaps lost some of their wealth but they did have their
name and their castle. And the family of Alasdair of the
Cattle, now had stock and wealth and a good name in the
trade. So there were no real obstacles and the arrangements
were made to hold a
reitach
. That
’
s the engagement
ceremony which concludes such an arrangement and I
’
m
told required as much whisky as the wedding itself.
Alasdair was to cross to it by his own vessel, of course. The
family had more than one seaworthy birlinn, well capable
of crossing The Little Minch. They set out in fair weather
but as soon as they had Dunvegan Head in sight, things
began to go wrong. On a sailing vessel, it
’
s often not one
thing but a line of events, none of them a great problem in
itself but they build towards a disaster. A sheet-rope or