CHAPTER XVII 



THE FAMOUS GAIRLOCH PIPEES 



In 1609 an ancestor of mine, who was also one of the 

 most famous of the Gairloch lairds, John Roy Mackenzie, 

 paid a visit to the laird of Reay in Sutherland. I be- 

 lieve the laird of Reay (Lord Reay) was his stepfather. 

 On John Roy's return from his visit to Tongue House, 

 Mackay accompanied him as far as the Meikle Ferry, 

 on the Kyle of Sutherland. On their arrival at the 

 ferry it seems there was another gentleman crossing, 

 accompanied by a groom, who attempted to prevent 

 anyone entering the boat but his master and his party. 

 Mackay had his piper with him, a young, handsome lad 

 of only seventeen summers. A scuffle ensued between 

 the piper and the groom, the former drew his dirk, and 

 with one blow cut the groom's hand off at the wrist. 



The laird of Reay at once said to his piper: ** Rory, 

 I cannot keep you with me any longer ; you must at once 

 fly the country and save your life." John Roy said: 

 " Will you come with me to Gairloch, Rory V And the 

 piper was only too glad to accept the offer. 



As they were parting, the laird of Reay said to his 



stepson: " Now, as you are getting my piper, you must 



send me in exchange a good deer-stalker." On his 



return home the latter at once sent Hugh Mackenzie, 



whose descendants still live in the Reay country. To 



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