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This recorded incident reflects the sustained resonance of Fenian legend to Highlanders in the 18th century. Until the end of the 19th century, a visitor to the ceilidh house in the Central Highlands would be asked: ‘A’ bheil dad agad air an Fhèinn?’ – ‘Do you have anything about the Fian?’ (Black 2001, xiii & Fraser 1978, 28). Ballads about Fionn and the Fianna were sung in the Hebrides within living memory. Tradition says that Fionn was buried at Killin - Cill Fhinn (NN572330), where a stone marks his supposed grave. Though the name could also mean White Church. Another Fionn’s grave - Uaigh Fhionn - lies in Glen Luss. It may be associated with Dùn Fhinn in nearby Glen Fruin.

Watson cites a story describing the death of Fionn near an island on Loch Iubhair in Glen Dochart (NN434273). Our hero fell in love with another man’s sweetheart. Fionn used to visit her on the island in the loch. Her other lover was called Taileachd mac Cuilgeadain. To settle the matter, they had a competition leaping backwards over a pool. Taileachd landed safely on dry land. Fionn landed up to his neck in deep water. Whereupon Taileachd decapitated him and carried away his head to a ford that would later become known as Ath Chinn – Ford of a Head, near Loch Laidon in Rannoch. The name cannot be found on OS. The Fianna then killed Taileachd in revenge, retrieved Fionn’s severed body and buried him at Killin. The act of leaping fits with Irish accounts of Fionn’s death, even if the location may be different.