Tournaig
tune – The Rose of Allendale

I wandered o’er the hills one day when Autumn tints were bold
The summer colours fading fast to russet brown and gold
The Autumn sun drifting low long shadows it did cast
My thoughts diverted to events and tales of days gone past.

On Inverewe and Tournaig’s ground I walked not long ago
This time a mission to complete thoughts would not forgo
Retraced my steps along the path where solitude I found
Crossed the river near the loch I was now on Tournaig’s ground.

The hill and landscape all around with beauty does abound
The ‘Tournaig Bard’ in Gaelic verse its virtues did expound
It was to him a place held dear it’s where he did belong
In praise of Tournaig he composed a well known Gaelic song.

Again my thoughts returned unto the bothy in the wood
In total isolation there for many years it stood
The building seeped in mystery – its history does appeal
If only walls could speak aloud secrets would reveal.

Perhaps for now I’ll draw a line this mission did sustain
My true belief in history – a strong link does remain
A link going back for many years old memories to revive
A soft spot always in my heart for Tournaig will survive.

Alexander Cameron was the Tournaig Bard. Born in Inverasdale in 1848 he worked on the Inverewe Estate and became Osgood Mackenzie’s farm manager at Tournaig. He died in 1935. ‘In Memory of Alexander Cameron, The Tournaig Bard, 1848-1935, Who lived all his long, useful life on the shores of Loch Ewe, and whose Gaelic poems and songs earned for him a wide and an honoured reputation throughout the north.’ This song records Hector’s personal thoughts as he crossed from Inverewe to the Tournaig Estate.