26 COLONSAY 



Other birds common in the vicinity and other parts of the 

 island are the Wagtail (Bigein an t-Sneachd), Hedge 

 Accentor, and Yellow Bunting (Buidheag a' Chinn Oir). 

 Less common species include the Bullfinch (Buidhean na 

 Coille), Goldcrest, Tree Creeper, and Warblers. 



Several other places in the neighbourhood of Kiloran are, 

 on account of the traditions associated with them, worthy of 

 passing notice. Dunan-nan-Nighean is on a low, somewhat 

 isolated hillock to the south-east of Kiloran Bay. The 

 entrance to the structure is in a more or less complete state, 

 and still lintelled. The children of one of the chiefs of the 

 M'Phees are said all to have been born here ; their mother 

 removing hither from the family seat at Kiloran before the 

 advent of each addition to the family. It is related that a 

 number of daughters were born ; and there was a belief that 

 if seven daughters were born in succession the seventh 

 would be in possession of the second sight. Another version 

 is, that in the event of a son being born in the Dun, he 

 would be more fortunate than any of his race. 



South of Kiloran, near the place where the road crosses 

 between the eastern and middle portions of Loch Fada, a 

 fight is alleged to have taken place between natives and 

 Mull men, known since as Blar-an-Deabhaidh. 1 While the 

 battle was in progress Calum Gaol Mac Mhuirich (slender 

 Malcolm M'Vurich), who lay ill of a fever in his house at 

 lodhlann Chorrach on the opposite side of the loch, had his 

 servant on sentry outside keeping him informed of how it 

 fared with the combatants. At last, getting excited, he im- 

 patiently donned his kilt, grasped his sword, and hurried 

 across to join in the fray. He killed the first of the foe that 

 he met ; and to instil a young native, whom he found hiding 



1 To assist in repelling the invaders, nineteen unbearded youths 

 of the Bells (Cloinn Mhic 'Ille Mhaoil) alone, descended Bealach na 

 h-airde from Balanahard. Though at one time common, there is none 

 now bearing the name in the island. 



