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minic rithidis an Fhéin

air an t-srath so an déidh a gcon.

An glean so fà Bheinn Ghulbainn ghuirm

as h-áilde tulcha fá ghréin,

níorbh annamh a shrotha gu dearg

an déidh shealg ó Fhionn na bhFéin.

Éisdidh beag, madh áil libh laoidh,

a chuideachta chaomh so, bhuam,

air Bheinn Ghulbainn ’s air Fhionn fial,

is air Mac Uí Dhuibhne, sgial truagh.

The glen beside me is Glen Shee,

Where birds and ousels sweetly sing;

Often did the Fian run

In this valley behind their hounds.

Below Ben Ghulbainn lies this glen

Of the fairest knolls beneath the sun,

Not seldom were its rivers red

After the hunts of Fionn of the Fian.

Gentle company, listen a while

If you’d like to hear a lay from me,

About Ben Ghulbainn and generous Fionn,

And Mac Uí Dhuibhne – a sorry tale.

(in Bateman & McLeod 2007, 332-33)

Local tradition in Glen Shee identifies a steep rugged gulley on the south side of Beinn Ghulbainn as the ‘Boar’s Den or Bed’ (Withrington 1977). Leabaidh or leaba, meaning bed, is quite common in Gaelic place-names and describes a place where deer and cattle might lie up, whilst ruminating or resting. In Gleann Beag – Little Glen, just to the east of the mountain is Tobar nam Fiann – The Well of the Fianna, where Fionn might have filled his golden cup intended off and on for Diarmaid, as Fionn’s mood swings alternated. On the opposite side of the road is Ossian’s Well. Across the river opposite Old Spittal Farm, is a lochan (ssss1) called Loch an Tuirc – Loch of the Boar (NO113704), where Fionn flung his cup in shame after Diarmaid’s death. To the south, a group of four stones (NO122701) marks the last resting place of Gràinne, Diarmaid and his white hounds on Tulach Diarmaid – Diarmaid’s Hilllock (ssss1). The Laird of this domain was once known as Fear Tulach Diarmaid – Laird of Diarmid’s Hillock (ibid, 1977). A neighbouring glen, Strath Ardle, was also once known as Srath na Muice Brice – Strath of the Speckled Pig.