century. This clear reference to the Gleann Siodh argues that Laoidh Dhiarmaid had its origin in Scotland rather than Ireland (Meek 1991).
Gleann Síodh an gleann so rém thaoibh
am binn faoidh éan is lon;
minic rithidis an Fhéin
air an t-srath so an déidh a gcon.
An glean so fà Bheinn Ghulbainn ghuirm
as h-áilde tulcha fá ghréin,
níorbh annamh a shrotha gu dearg
an déidh shealg ó Fhionn na bhFéin.
Éisdidh beag, madh áil libh laoidh,
a chuideachta chaomh so, bhuam,
air Bheinn Ghulbainn ’s air Fhionn fial,
is air Mac Uí Dhuibhne, sgial truagh.
The glen beside me is Glen Shee,
Where birds and ousels sweetly sing;
Often did the Fian run
In this valley behind their hounds.
Below Ben Ghulbainn lies this glen
Of the fairest knolls beneath the sun,
Not seldom were its rivers red
After the hunts of Fionn of the Fian.
Gentle company, listen a while
If you’d like to hear a lay from me,
About Ben Ghulbainn and generous Fionn,
And Mac Uí Dhuibhne – a sorry tale.
(in Bateman & McLeod 2007, 332-33)
Local tradition in Glen Shee identifies a steep rugged gulley on the south side of Beinn Ghulbainn as the ‘Boar’s Den or Bed’ (Withrington 1977). Leabaidh or leaba, meaning bed, is quite common in Gaelic place-names and describes a place where deer and cattle might lie up, whilst ruminating or resting. In Gleann Beag – Little Glen, just to the east of the mountain is Tobar nam Fiann – The Well of the Fianna, where Fionn might have filled his golden cup intended off and on for Diarmaid, as Fionn’s mood swings alternated. On the opposite side of the road is Ossian’s Well. Across the river opposite Old Spittal Farm, is a lochan (plate 15) called Loch an Tuirc – Loch of the Boar (NO113704), where Fionn flung his cup in shame after Diarmaid’s death. To the south, a group of four stones (NO122701) marks the last resting place of Gràinne, Diarmaid and his white hounds on Tulach Diarmaid – Diarmaid’s Hilllock (plate 16). The Laird of this domain was once known as Fear Tulach Diarmaid – Laird of Diarmid’s Hillock (ibid, 1977). A neighbouring glen, Strath Ardle, was also once known as Srath na Muice Brice – Strath of the Speckled Pig.
Plate 15: Loch an Tuirc – Loch of the Boar and Ben Gulabin - Beinn Ghulbainn in the background, Glen Shee, Perthshire.
These places reflect how people placed the telling of Laoidh Dhiarmaid in the landscape. In Glen Shee this had a more complex and structured relationship than that between Laoidh Fhraoich and its setting by Loch Freuchie. In the profile of a snout-shaped mountain we have a massively exaggerated and zoomorphic symbol of the legendary boar given pride of place in the landscape. Secondly, we have places which complement two more episodes in the tale: the burial site of Diarmaid and the well where Fionn drew water for his cup intending to heal his dying comrade in arms. At Loch Freuchie the situation is much simpler. There is only the island to which Fraoch swam and perhaps a memorial cairn and a meadow. The setting provides verisimilitude, but it does not possess the symbolic and physical manifestation of the narrative given to Laoidh Dhiarmaid by Glen Shee.
Plate 16: Tulach Diarmaid – Diarmaid’s Hilllock and Ben Gulabin - Beinn Ghulbhain in the background, Glen Shee, Perthshire.
The glen has other Fingalian associations. A ballad, which is included in the Book of the Dean of Lismore, ‘Naonbhar do-chuadhmar fa´ choill - Nine Strong We Set Out into a Wood’, originated in Ireland, but given the presence of three place-names in Glen Shee it may also have been performed in the valley (McNiven 2012). The story tells how a party of Fianna, who are in search of a special stick to train a dog, defeat parties of Catheads and Dogheads, ‘who were not of the race of king nor of great prince’ (Ross 1939, 86-87). Their unfurling banners are used as weapons. The Fianna raise their standards in the middle of the ballad upon Creag nam Brataichean – Rock of the Banners (NO113615). These are the symbols of their strength and authority. One of the flags is called Làmh Dhearg Bratach Mheic Rònain – Red Hand of Ronan’s Son. Làmh Dhearg (NO120637 – mapped as Làmh Dearg) is named after this banner. It is a hill 2.5 miles to the northeast of Creag nam Brataichean (plate 17). The Fianna won the battle. They decapitated the bodies of their enemies and dumped their severed heads in Fèith nan Ceann – Bog Stream of the Heads. It is shown anglicised by OS as Finegand (NO141663).
Plate 17: Creag nam Brataichean – Rock of the Banners, Glen Shee, Perthshire.
Òran na Comhachaig
Donald Mackinlay of the Verses / Dòmhnall mac Fhionnlaigh nan Dàn
Dòmhnall never received an invitation to the feast organised by young Ronald – Raonull Òg, the Chief of Keppoch, at Taigh Chomhairle – his House of Counsel, on the island in Loch Eadarloch. But he had heard about the hunt dinner, and decided that he might as well go along anyway. Dòmhnall was tired and now too old and infirm to take part in the vigorous chase of deer with bow and hounds.
Cead as truaighe ghabhas riamh,
Do ’n fhiadhach ’m bu mhòr mo thoil,
Chan fhalbh le bogha fui’ m sgeith
’S gu là bhràth’ cha leig mi coin.
’S muladach bhith ’siubhal bheann,
Gun bhogha, gun shreang, gun chù,
Gun fhiù na saighde bhith ann
’S gun fhradharc teann aig an t-sùil.
The saddest farewell I ever made
Was to the hunting for which I had a great love,
I’ll not set off with a bow under my wing,
And till doomsday
