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MHG30203 - Uaigh an Duine-bheo

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Full Description

Near the old Highland road from Moyhall to Inverness, on the Estate of Lairgs, is a spot called the ‘Living Man's Grave’, in Gaelic ‘Uaigh an Duine Bheo’, where it is, said the body of a man lies, and who was buried alive for having perjured himself. The traditional account is as follows:
About the end of the 17th century a dispute arose between the Laird of Mackintosh and MacGillivray of Dunmaglass regarding the boundaries or marches of the Lands of Lairgs which was referred to an Arbiter who repaired with the witnesses on both sides to perambulate the grounds. After examining several witnesses, the above person, having been a witness on the part of Dunmaglass, had gone further on Mackintosh's lands, beyond the supposed march, than any of the others, and being there questioned, he solemnly swore: "by the dead head under his bonnet, and by the earth under his feet, that the ground upon which he then stood, belonged to Dunmaglass".
The novelty of the oath made the party suspect the credibility of the witness. Thereupon searching him, they discovered that he had the head of a dead cock under his bonnet, and earth taken from part of Dunmaglass’ Estate, which could not be disputed, in his shoes. Upon which they dug a pit on the spot where he perjured himself, and he was then buried alive.
The place is still pointed out on the district road; about a few hundred yards after it strikes off from the old Highland road from the north of Craigannoin.
(Taken from the Farr MS of 1835)

Account given in 'Clan Chattan'. Journal of the Clan Chattan Association, 1978, Vol. VII, No. 2, pg. 88
Information supplied by Donald Macaskill, 27/09/01
JHooper, 27/9/01

This cairn has now been located on the ground in the area indicated on the OS map. The information has been passed onto Forest Enterprise, who have marked the site out with canes to protect it during ongoing work in the area.
Information supplied by Donald Macaskill, 25/2/2002
JHooper, 5/3/2002

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Location

Grid reference	Centred NH 7273 3481 (6m by 6m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	NH73SW
Civil Parish	DAVIOT AND DUNLICHITY
Geographical Area	INVERNESS

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