Township: Heylipol

Map Reference: Heylipol 15

Name Type: machair

Meaning: The big machair

Other Forms: An Clàr Machrach

Am Machaire Mhòr

Machaire Mhòr a' Bhàillidh 'the large machair of the factor'

Related Places: Alec MacArthur, Heylipol, 9/2025

Information:Bàrd Bhaile Mhàrtainn was refused permission by the factor to cut muran for his house roof. One day soon after this the bard was driving his horse and cart from Balinoe towards Island House, over A’ Mhachaire Mhòr . Who came up behind him but the factor in his pony and trap. The bard refused to let him past until the factor, increasingly frustrated, tried to overtake as the road widens at Geata Mòr an Eilein , the main gate down to Island House. The slope of the roadside beat him, however, and the factor admitted to the bard that they couldn’t go on like this. “Go and cut the muran you want!” he said. The bard replied “Ma tha i fliuch, cha gabh e deanamh / Ma tha i tioram, chan eil feum agam air!” [if it’s wet you can’t do the job, if it’s dry you don’t need thatch]. The bard always had to have the last word. Alasdair Mor MacArthur, Balemartine, 3/2004
Originally part of Heylipol common grazing but kept by the factor as part of Heylipol Farm - DK.

Local Form:

Languages : Gaelic

Informants: Donald Kennedy, Port Ban, 2/1994

Informant 2: Mairi Campbell, Corrairigh, Cornaigbeg, 7/2009

Informant 3: Archie Kennedy, Crossapol, 11/1993