Branwen

Also known as “Leachd-nan-sleagher” – the rock of the spears, variously translated as really meaning “Leach-nan-sluagh” – the rock of the hosts or gatherings, and “Leachd-nan-slochd” – the rock of the pits or impressions.

Boece also states that legend holds that Queen Margaret, wife of Malcolm III built a chapel near the spring, but that it was dedicated to St. Catherine of Sienna, not Alexandria.

James IV made an offering in said chapel in 1504, and when James VI visited Scotland in 1617 he also visited it, commanding ornamental steps be built for better access to the waters, which Cromwell later destroyed.

ND 1567 3035
Near Ballachly Farm, about 5 miles distant, is the Ballachly Burial Grounds, where part of the adjoining land is known as Croit Trolla, or the Croft of Trolla. Trolla is another version of the name Trollhaena, the norse name for Triduana.

Some authors think the Orkneyinga Saga is talking of Croit Trolla as the resting place of Triduana’s bones in the story of King Harold’s blindness being cured (instead of the more well known, but far flung resting place at Restalrig).

In medieval times it was common for a single bone to have a home as a holy relic with healing powers away from the main grave site. Or for the story of such to spring up, in the case of made up saints, who were used over and over to obsfucate similar pagan customs in a variety of areas.

Triduana was one of the saints removed from the saints lists in the sixties because of the lack of evidence she actually existed as the christian nun of the stories.

scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/search_item/index.php?service=RCAHMS&id=8134 has more on Croit Trolla, as found in RCAHMS

Other definitions of the name of this mountain by etymologists are “constant storm” or “maidens pap”.

There is a well on the on the east side of the hill called the Maiden Well, where maidens would go on Beltane to wash and drink to the health of the coming year.

Not forgetting Michael Scott, the Border Wizard, who is said to have split the hills. Probably a tale that was ascribed to sussessive “wizards” over time.

The Clan Gregor Website had the following:

The MacGregors were the fiercest and the most feared of all the clans of Rannoch. They harried the countryside for miles around, driving herds of stolen cattle into Rannoch from all parts. Led by Duncan MacGregor, called Ladasach, they fortified the island, Eilean nam Faoileag, as their headquarters where they planned their daring raids.

Proscribed and outlawed, and forbidden to use their name because of criminal activities, these “Children of the Mist” as they were called, were nevertheless conspicuous for their bravery not only in local fights but also in battles in support of the Stewart cause.

Campbell of Glen Orchy once captured Ladasach and chained him in the underground pit at Finlarig while waiting to be ‘heidit.’ However, before the sentence could be carried out, Campbell was called up by James IV to march to Flodden where he died in battle. Duncan was saved and celebrated Campbell’s death by escaping and returning to Rannoch in safety.

After a 47 year long campaign of rieving, he was caught a final time on 16th June, 1552. He was beheaded by order of Colin Campbell of Glen Orchy, Campbell of Glen Lyon, and Menzies of Rannoch. James MacGregor, Dean of Lismore, wrote of his final words in Testament of Duncan Ladasach:

‘Now farewell Rannoch with the loch and isle,
To me thou was richt traist baith even and morn.
Thou was the place that wad me not beguile,
When I have been oft at the king’s horn.‘

As he awaited execution he distributed his worldly goods as follows:

‘To the Curate he gives NEGLIGENCE;
to the Vicar RAPACITY,
to the Parson OPPRESSION;
to the Prior GLUTTONY.
PRIDE and ARROGANCE to the Abbot,
HIS FREE WILL to the Bishop,
and to the Friar FLATTERY and FALSE DISEMBLING.‘