The Legend of the Lady Rock

In the fifteenth century a feud subsisted between the Lord of Argyll and the chieftains of MacLean; the latter was totally subdued by the Campbells, and Maclean sued for peace, demanding, at the same time, in marriage, the young and beautiful daughter of Argyll. His request was granted, and the lady was carried home to the Island of Mull. There a son was born. The Macleans vowed they would desert their chief if they were not allowed to put his wife to death along with their infant son. That the blood of the Campbells might not succeed to the inheritance of Maclean. Maclean resisted these efforts, fearing the power and vengeance of Argyll but at length fear for his own life, should he refuse the demands of his clan, made him yield to their fury and he only drew from them a promise that they would not shed her blood.
One dark winter night the lady was forced into a boat, and then regardless of her cries and supplications, left upon a barren rock midway between the coasts of Mull and Argyll, which at the high water was covered by the sea. As she was about to parish, she saw a boat steering its course at some distance; she waved her hand and uttered a feeble cry.
She was now on top of the rock and the water almost covering her shoulders. So the boatman mistook her for some strange bird. They went in pursuit of it, rescued her, and recognizing the daughter of Argyll, carried her to her father’s castle. The Earl rewarded well her deliverers, and desired them to keep the circumstances secret for a time, during which he concealed her, and awaited tidings from Mull. Maclean solemnly announced her death to Argyll, and soon came himself with his friends, all in mourning, to console with the Earl at his Castle.
Argyll received him also clothed in black. Maclean was full of lamentations; the Earl appeared very sorrowful. A feast was served with great pomp in the hall. Everyone took his place, while a seat was left empty on the right of Argyll.
The door opened, and Maclean’s wife entered, superbly dressed, and took her place at the table. Maclean stood for a moment aghast, when the servants and retainers made a lane for him to pass through the hall to the gate of the Castle, the Earl’s son, the Lord of Lorn, followed, and slew him as he fled. His friends were detained as hostages for the child, who had been preserved by the affection of his nurse.
The fair daughter of Argyll was rewarded for her underserved sufferings by wedding, with her father’s consent, an amiable young noble who adored her. To this man her father had formerly refused her hand, disposing of her as a bond of union to unite the warring clans of Argyll and Maclean.