John son of big John, murderer (2)
Last week, I started the Litir with a passage from the Bible: Whoever
sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed. My account was
about the murder of Donald son of William in the parish of Kirkhill
(Wardlaw). The murderer, John son of Big John, and his brother-in-law
John Mackenzie, left Donald’s body on the shore.
A shepherd found the body. It was transferred to the church in
Kirkhill. The sheriff, Alexander Chisholm, requested that every adult
in the area go to the church.
Donald’s body was naked and on a plank. When the sheriff read out each
person’s name, he or she had to come forward and put their hand on
Donald’s breast. The sheriff was hoping to recognise the murderer.
Came the turn of John son of Big John. He put his hand on the lad’s
breast, and something strange happened. A wound opened and blood came
out of it. John was asked to put his hand on the body again. This time,
blood came from the body’s nose.
The sheriff was of the opinion that John was guilty. But John refused
to admit that. And John Mackenzie did not appear. He had fled.
For a fortnight, John son of Big John was in the ‘cip’ in Inverness –
that’s a thing called ‘the stocks’ in English. He was cold and wet, and
his two feet fell off. He was taken home to Fingask. Little by little,
he became stronger. But he wasn’t able to do work. He was a beggar.
However, John Mackenzie was found. He was living in Keith. He was
arrested. When he saw the old Church of Inverness, he admitted his
guilt. And he named John son of Big John as the murderer.
The two Johns were put in front of a judge. The judge found them
guilty. Their heads were cut off.
The account was made by a churchman. At the end, he wrote: ‘Thus was God’s
law exerted – Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.’
Iain mac 'an Mhòir, murtair (2)
An t-seachdain sa chaidh, thòisich mi an Litir le earrann às a’ Bhìoball: Ge b’ e a dhòirteas fuil duine, le duine dòirtear fhuil-san. Bha an cunntas agam mu mhurt Dhòmhnaill mhic Uilleim ann an sgìre
Chnoc Mhoire. Dh’fhàg am murtair, Iain mac ʼan Mhòir, agus a
bhràthair-chèile, Iain MacCoinnich, corp Dhòmhnaill air a’ chladach.
Lorg cìobair an corp. Chaidh a chur don eaglais ann an Cnoc Mhoire. Dh’iarr
an siorram, Alasdair Siosalach, air a h-uile inbheach anns an sgìre dhol
don eaglais.
Bha corp Dhòmhnaill rùisgte, air dèile. Nuair a leugh an siorram ainm gach
duine, bha aige no aice ri tighinn air adhart, agus làmh a chur air
broilleach Dhòmhnaill. Bha an siorram an dòchas am murtair aithneachadh.
Thàinig turas Iain mhic ʼan Mhòir. Chuir e a làmh air broilleach a’ ghille,
agus thachair rudeigin annasach. Dh’fhosgail lot, agus thàinig fuil às.
Chaidh iarraidh air Iain a làmh a chur air a’ chorp a-rithist. An turas
seo, thàinig fuil à sròn a’ chuirp.
Bha an siorram dhen bheachd gun robh Iain ciontach. Ach dhiùlt Iain sin
aideachadh. Agus cha do nochd Iain MacCoinnich. Bha esan air teicheadh.
Airson ceala-deug, bha Iain mac ʼan Mhòir anns a’ chip ann an Inbhir Nis –
sin rud ris an canar ‘the stocks’ ann am Beurla. Bha e fliuch is
fuar, agus thuit a dhà chois dheth. Chaidh a thoirt dhachaigh gu Fionn
Ghasg. Mean air mhean, dh’fhàs e na bu làidire. Ach cha robh e comasach air
obair a dhèanamh. Bha e na dhèirceach.
Ge-tà, chaidh Iain MacCoinnich a lorg. Bha e a’ fuireach ann am Baile Chè.
Chaidh a chur an grèim. Nuair a chunnaic e seann Eaglais Inbhir Nis,
dh’aidich e a chiont. Agus dh’ainmich e Iain mac ʼan Mhòir mar mhurtair.
Chaidh an dà Iain a chur air beulaibh britheamh. Fhuair am britheamh
ciontach iad. Bha an cinn air an gearradh dhiubh.
Bha an cunntas air a dhèanamh le pears-eaglais. Aig an deireadh, sgrìobh e:
‘ʼS ann mar sin a bha lagh Dhè air a chur an gnìomh – Ge b’ e a dhòirteas
fuil duine, le duine dòirtear fhuil-san.’
