The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

DONALD,
Skye Bards. 745.
SKYE BARDS.
BY MAGNUS MACLEAN, M.A., F.R.S.E.
Part II.
REV. DONALD MACLEOD.
third Macleod of Grishornish, composed
several very good songs. The first Macleod of
Grishornish was Donald, fifth and youngest son of Sir
Roderick Mor Macleod of Dunvegan. Donald, the subject
of our remark, was educated at Aberdeen University, where
he graduated in April, 17 18, at the age of 20. He
thereafter studied for the ministry. He was first settled in
the parish of South Uist. In the year 1754 he was trans-
lated to Duirinish, in Skye, where he died on January 12th,
1760. In 1728 he married Miss Ann Maclean. It was a
custom in the Island of Skye to meet the bride coming
forth in the morning from her chamber, and to salute her
with a poetical blessing. None having been found ready or
worthy to salute his bride, it is related that he himself came
forward and saluted her with the following beautiful
song :~
BEANNACHADH BAIRD.
Mile failte dhuit le d' bhreid ;
Fad' an re gu 'n robh thu slan.
Moran laithean dhuit a's sith
Le d' mhaitheas a's le d' ni 'bhi fas.
A' chulaidh-cheile-s' a chaidh suas
'S trie a tharruing buaidh air mnaoi ;
Bi-sa gu subhailceach, ciallach,
O thionnsgainn thu fein 's an treubh.
An tus do chomh-ruith 's tu og ;
An tus gach lo iarr Righ nan dul,
Cha'n eagal nach dean E gu ceart
Gach dearbh-bheachd a bhios 'n ad run.