Thursday, 30 January 2014

"The descendents of the sixty fools" The MacCallums aka Malcolms

Once upon a time the Laird of Colgin had a family of twelve handsome sons.  On a certain Sunday he went with them to the church of Kilbride and his sons following him in order according to their ages. The lady of MacDougall of Lorn was in the church and inquired who the man was with the large family of sons. Being informed that it was the Laord of Colgin she replied: "A third of Scotland would not be too much for MacCallum." From that day his family began to pine away, til only three were left. 
MacCallum being advised to send the survivors from home he prepared horses with panniers and gave one to each of the lads. He then sent them away with the direction to take up their residence in what ever place the panniers would fall off the horses. The panniers of the horse of one of them having fallen in the bounderies of the farm, he remained at home. The other two went on their journey, going in different directions. The panniers of one having fallen in Glenetive, he settled there, and the panniers of the other having fallen at Kilmartin, he made his home in that district. The brothers married and each had a family. By marriage they, in course of time became numerous. 
It happened that the MacCallums of Glenetive and the MacCallums of Kilmartin to the number of thirty of each set out to visit each other on the same day. Meeting in a narrow pass on "Sliabah an tuim" in the Genmore Moor neither party would allow the other to pass on the right. A fight occurred in consequence, which was maintained fiercely until all were killed except two, one of each party. Overcome by the toils of conflict, these two sat down to rest. Entering into conversation they ascertained that they were relatives. Thus it was that the MacCallums came to be called "Sliochd nan tri fichead burraidh" - "The descendents of the sixty fools" (Records of Argyll)
From the notes of James Tillotson:
Miscellaneous Notes about McCallums collected in Scotland in 1984. 

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