MACLEODS OF ASSYNT

We drove a mile or so south along Loch Assynt to Inchnadamph, where we found two local history booklets by Mrs Margaret Campbell, one about the castle and the other about the MacLeod Vault.

It turned out to be right there, in the churchyard at Inchnadamph, a great, solid stone block partly overgown by ash trees. The original church at Inchnadamph is said to have been built by Angus MacLeod of Assynt about 1440, on his return from a pilgrimage to Rome, and the vault is thought to be part of the original building, the new one being a few yards away.

The way in to the vault had been blocked, as the interior, full of the bones of the MacLeods of Assynt, all jumbled together, is unsafe. Just as well, too, for a permanent and inexplicable drip of water falls from the vault’s door and, it is said, if it falls on you, you’ll die soon afterwards. The drip is called ‘MacLeod’s Tears’.

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