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In my latest blogs I touched on some traditional tales peculiar to Tiree as regads giants and stones.

Ufortunately I have very few stories of this ancient genere as, indeed, few remain amongst the local population. We therefore miss to a large measure the old oral tradition of the community.

Anyway, we all know that the Norsemen were bold seafarers but terrifying plunderers all over the coast of Britain, and were definately felt to the extreme on the west coast of scotland.

Well, it so happened that it was harvest time on the Island of Tiree, and in the part with which we are concerned, the good people worked contentdly procuring their beautiful ripe corn. They had for the time being become lax regarding the terror of the past.

As they happily strove without concern, they suddenly realised that the invader had appeared from nowhere, and was upon them. Quickly some stalwarts stole away to the dun to obtain the arms stored there.

But, meantime, the harvesters required to defend themselves. So, still without the wepons, they quickly reverted to using the sheaves. they set to with a will leathering the enemy with such valour that they were completely overcome and defeated.

Ever since then there remains a gaelic expression in Tiree, and translated is as such:
"A Norseman with a corn sheaf stuck in his gob to the tie band"