The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. VIII] OF SCOTLAND 133
idolatry remained under the appearance of Christianity, and
exhibited itself in the wild and fanciful superstitions of the
Highlanders and the superstitious practices which they still
observed on their holidays.
To enter into this subject at all would lead to an investiga-
tion of a length altogether incompatible wnth the limits of this
work, and it is with regret that we leave a subject which affords
such a curious and interesting picture of the Highland mind. It
may perhaps be sufficient to remark, with a view to direct the
enquiries of others, that the superstitions of the Highlanders
consisted principally of three kinds : first, a belief in a species
of supernatural beings, termed by them Daoine-shith, or fairies ;
secondly, a belief in the influence of departed spirits over the
affairs of this life ; and thirdly, in second-sight, a subject of
considerable difficulty, and one altogether peculiar to the Highlanders.
Besides their superstitious belief, the spirit of their
ancient idolatry was retained in many of their festivals, the
principal of which was the Beltam, or first day of May, and
SamJiuui, or Allhallow eve ; in the practices observed by them
on these days may still be traced the rites of their ancient
religion. Although their idolatrous worship had been superseded
by Christianity, yet, as long as the feuds and their constant
habits of predatory warfare remained among them, they do not
appear to have imbibed much of its spirit. A French writer of
"
the earl}- part of last century remarks, lis se disent Chretiens,
mais toute leur religion est fort tenebreuse, et ils ne craignent
gueres ni Dieu ni Diable." The case is now very different, for
since peace has been restored to the hills they have advanced
with wonderful rapidity, and they may now with truth be called
the most moral and religious part of the population of Scotland.
Among savage nations poetry is always the first,
vehicle of history ; before any regular means are
taken for perpetuating a knowledge of the early history of
their tribes, they are usually in the habit of reciting in verse
the deeds of their forefathers, and their early traditions are
thus handed down from the most remote antiquity. This
custom, although common to all nations in a primitive stage
of society, was peculiarly so to the Highlanders. The natural
disposition of a hunting and pastoral people for poetry and