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A colourful bit of Scottish history/folklore/whatever related to the Campbells, which show up in my maternal genealogy at my fourth-great-grandmother (Margaret Campbell), descended from a "Black David" Campbell who lived in Ulster, and whose parents (if I've got it right) were the ones who went there from Scotland:
"When it comes to ancient curses, the best defence is a good offence. So, the next time you are in Inveraray, near Loch Fyne in north-west Scotland, which happens to be HQ for the Campbells, consider partaking in this quaint ancient custom. As you drive past their dour castle over a narrow bridge, you extend your hand towards it, with the forefinger and little finger extended and the middle fingers curled into the palm (the devil's horns sign). Then you say "buitseach" (a Gaelic curse) three-times and also spit between the fingers three times." (http://www.thetyee.ca/Views/2004/01/22/Living_With_the_Curse_of_the_Campbells/)
"Buitseach" apparently means "witch". This is meant to cause misfortune and is all on the account of a slaughter of some McDonalds by some Campbells in 1692 - but I find it, ah, rather interesting. I assume the connotation meant is just "foul" and "evil" and "Devil take you" as opposed to anything having literally to to with witchcraft (especially since the Campbells were Presbyterians at this point, if I have it right)... but still. Amusing.
I'm also rather interested in where "Black David" got his nickname...
"When it comes to ancient curses, the best defence is a good offence. So, the next time you are in Inveraray, near Loch Fyne in north-west Scotland, which happens to be HQ for the Campbells, consider partaking in this quaint ancient custom. As you drive past their dour castle over a narrow bridge, you extend your hand towards it, with the forefinger and little finger extended and the middle fingers curled into the palm (the devil's horns sign). Then you say "buitseach" (a Gaelic curse) three-times and also spit between the fingers three times." (http://www.thetyee.ca/Views/2004/01/22/Living_With_the_Curse_of_the_Campbells/)
"Buitseach" apparently means "witch". This is meant to cause misfortune and is all on the account of a slaughter of some McDonalds by some Campbells in 1692 - but I find it, ah, rather interesting. I assume the connotation meant is just "foul" and "evil" and "Devil take you" as opposed to anything having literally to to with witchcraft (especially since the Campbells were Presbyterians at this point, if I have it right)... but still. Amusing.
I'm also rather interested in where "Black David" got his nickname...
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Date: Nov. 11th, 2005 05:00 am (UTC)From: