The book Arran; - Cook Clan

274 THE BOOK OF ARRAN
There is more than one tale told of ' ^
Domhnull-nam-mogan's '
encounter with a ' bocan.' A bocan is one of those dreaded visitants
from another world, sometimes taking human form, sometimes
animal form, and sometimes the form of inanimate things such as
a ship . Domhnull-nam-mogan, a religious man who lived in Tormore,
was returning late from a visit to a friend in Machrie, by way of
Machrie Water and Tormore Moss, when he was met at a spot near
the standing stones by a ' bocan.' The bocan was of such size that
Donald could see all Aird Bheinn between his legs. Quite undaunted
by such huge stature, Donald requested that the ' bocan ' assume the
size and appearance he had when living on earth, and the latter
complying, Donald immediately remarked that he now recognised
him. He further remarked that the ' bocan ' must be in possession
of the secrets of a good many mysteries. ' Would he say what had
happened to Angus Dubh when the latter was lost on a journey from
Lamlash to Shisken by way of the Clachan Glen ? He (the bocan)
in all probability had a hand in doing away with Angus.'
The ' bocan ' denied that he had any hand in the crime, but he
knew plenty about it, who did hurl Angus over a certain cliff. Donald
then asked to be shown a treasure, and was told to come to a certain
place in Gleann-an-t-suidhe on the following night, but without the
darning needle in his bonnet, the little dog at his heel, and the ball
of worsted in his pocket. Donald took counsel as to the advisability
of such a course, and as a result did not keep the appointment.
It is also told of ' Domhnull-nam-mogan ' that one night when re-
turning from Brodick through Gleann-an-t-suidhe he was met by a
' bocan,' who after some conversation invited Donald to return next
night and he would be shown a treasure, but without what he carried.
Donald after getting home repaired to a wise woman in the neighbourhood
and told her the news. She strongly advised him to take
with him (what the ' bocan ' had expressly forbidden) the darning
needle, bible, and sword he had carried on the previous night.
Arrived at the place named, he was to describe a circle on the ground
with the point of his sword, and taking his stand in the centre of the
circle await in that manner the coming of the ' bocan.' This was
' Mogainn are stockings without feet to them.