The snowball fight that went on for centuries

Published on Thursday 17 July 2008 22:11

THERE is nothing like a clan gathering to rekindle historic rivalries. But where once feuds descended into bloody battle, these days all it takes is a tune and a small sweetener to smooth things over.

An international gathering of the Clan MacIntyre is being held this week in Taynuilt in Argyll for the first time since the 1970s. The occasion has provided the opportunity for local Campbells to apologise to their old foes for a penalty imposed centuries ago.

The MacIntyre of Glenoe occupied land in the area for 500 to 600 years prior to 1806, making an unusual annual payment to the Campbells of Glenorchy of a white calf and a snowball that was obtained from Ben Cruachan. This was either as a death duty for a murder in about 1440 or for rental of land at Glen Noe. The payment was made on Midsummer's Day at Clach an Laoigh Bhiata, or Stone of the White Calf.

During the 18th century the rent was changed to cash, then progressively raised. Donald the fourth MacIntyre chief, could not pay so emigrated to Canada.

His brother and successor, Captain Donald MacIntyre, tried but failed to make ends meet and the Glen Noe lands were lost.

Now Russell Campbell, a piper from Taynuilt who composed a special tune for the gathering, has decided on a contemporary version of the historic ritual.

His sons, Fraser, seven, and four-year-old Struan, presented snowballs – in the shape of the Scottish confectionery – to the MacIntyre delegation at Taynuilt village hall.

Mr Campbell said: "Originally the Campbells let them have the land but exacted a penalty by making them undertake difficult challenges – to find a snowball in the summer for instance.

"They eventually upped the rent until they cleared off, and that's why there are so many MacIntyres in America.

"We decided to give them the snowballs back, in the form of the modern Scottish version as a way of welcoming them to the village. We thought climbing Cruachan to find snow at this of year would be impossible with global warming. Reparation has been made."