191. Inch-Cailliach. Scott says: "Inch-Cailliach, the Isle of Nuns, or
of Old Women, is a most beautiful island at the lower extremity of Loch
Lomond. The church belonging to the former nunnery was long used as the
place of worship for the parish of Buchanan, but scarce any vestiges of
it now remain. The burial-ground continues to be used, and contains the
family places of sepulture of several neighboring clans. The monuments
of the lairds of Macgregor, and of other families claiming a descent
from the old Scottish King Alpine, are most remarkable. The Highlanders
are as zealous of their rights of sepulture as may be expected from a
people whose whole laws and government, if clanship can be called so,
turned upon the single principle of family descent. 'May his ashes
be scattered on the water,' was one of the deepest and most solemn
imprecations which they used against an enemy." [See a detailed
description of the funeral ceremonies of a Highland chieftain in the
Fair Maid of Perth.]