The Children of the Mist

We were at Inversnaid today, having taken the Lomond Chieftain across Loch Lomond. It was COLD on the water, after a lovely sunny early start. This is the view across from Inversnaid to Inveruglas on the west side of the loch, with the group of hills behind known as the Arrochar Alps.

The Clan Macgregor once owned all the land around Inversnaid. Rob Roy MacGregor, 1671 - 1734, was the clan leader for some time, though he was dispossessed of his land and became a cattle trader and rustler. He is best known as a sort of Scottish Robin Hood, an outlaw working for the good of his people.

The MacGregor Clan is also known as the Children of the Mist.


Children of the Mist

We're the children of the mist with no land to call home,
descended from kings but destined to roam.
We were honoured in battle then hunted like game,
but the proof of our mettle is we're still proud of our name.

They outlawed our clan and the mode of our dress,
but we never measured allegiance by chance of success.
Some things we're not proud of were circumstance led,
but what prince not a rogue to see his children are fed?

Our friendship was valued by high born and low,
our steadfast belief earned respect from our foe.
No great castles had we and our numbers were few
but our clansmen before us kept our legacy true.

copyright Frank McNie, born Falkirk, Scotland, 1948