22 COLONSAY 



Lag-na-Birlinn, a slight depression on the west side of the 

 blown sands, derived its name from an incident which ended 

 with the burning of M 'Lean's birlinn or barge. The boat 

 must have been dragged through the dunes for about a 

 quarter of a mile before it was set fire to. Rusty boat-rivets 

 were found in the surface sands for many a long day after. 

 Baile-Mhaide, some distance inland, is the reputed scene of 

 an old-time conflict ; and here again the odds seem to have 

 gone against the incomers, for their chief is said to have 

 preferred voluntary death by drowning at Rudha-Buidhe- 

 Mhic-Iomhair, on the east side of Balanahard, some 2 miles 

 distant, rather than fall into the hands of his bloodthirsty 

 pursuers. A well-preserved tomb of a Viking chief, with the 

 skeletons of a man and horse, the metal parts of the horse's 

 accoutrements, sword, balance, and other interesting relics 

 now on view in the Royal Scottish Museum, were unearthed 

 some years ago at Lag-na-Birlinn in the blown sands. The 

 weights of the balance, which are of unknown value, are 

 chased on one side, and are enamelled. 



Balanahard comprises the north-eastern extremity of the 

 island. Its northern shore-line is broken and precipitous. 

 Off Meall-a-Chuilbh the sea, even in calm weather, is 

 invariably agitated by the strong currents of the Gulf of 

 Corryvreckan ; steamers here encountering more violent seas 

 than those met off the dreaded Mull of Kintyre. In the 

 cliffs around, the Scottish Lovage and the Rose-root grow in 

 profusion. High up in the precipices of Slochd-a-Chroinn 

 the Scurvy Grass is seen in great luxuriance, forming dense 

 green masses. The Erect Bugle, a plant not previously re- 

 corded for this or neighbouring islands, was discovered on 

 the syenite above Slochd-a-Chroinn. 



Within living memory stone crosses, stone models of the 

 human parts, and other relics of the past were to be seen at 

 the ancient burying-ground of Gill Chatriona. At Cnoc 

 Mhic 'Ille Mhinniche, near by, the crofters formerly followed 



