Sealing the Fate of Odar

As is generally well known the Norse had a lasting impact on the Western Isles since they first invaded and then settled in the islands and western seaboards of the Highlands. The following historical legend was recorded by Alexander Carmichael at some point in 1875 from the recitation of Major James Andrew MacRae (1834–1873) of Valley and Griminish in North Uist.

Odar was a great Scandinavian robber

sea king – a Viking – who ravaged the

coasts of these Western Isles often the

expulsion of the Norsemen and the

crowing of Macdonald as Lord of the

Isles. The King of the Isles announced

that he would give a fitting reward to any

man who would bring him Odar’s head

dead or alive. All were eager to dis-

tinguish themselves in capturing the

great robber King. “Ga luath an sionnach

beirear uairigin eir” Odar was captured

at last at a point of land at Griminnish

called “Odair.” This was done by

MacUistean Ghriminnish a near relation

of Māg Onuil Lord of the Isles.

Macuistean carried Odar’s head to his

chief. In return for this signal service

in getting rid of this ocean pest – this

biast mhor a chuain – the Lord of the

Isles granted to MacUistean and to his

posterity the seals of Haisgeir. Seals

then were prized equally for food and

oil – (Bu mhath am biadh feamanaich

aran seagail agus sail roin)

Odar’s head was buried at a spot

known as Earann Mholach…

It may be adjudged that the reward given to MacÙisdein was not in proportion to his doughty deed in getting rid of the Norse menace but this would be far from the truth for seals at that time were prized for both their oil and as a foodstuff. There would hardly be anything left of a seal carcase that was not put to some good use or another. The narrative then continues to describe how each seal was portioned amongst the boatmen and people of Griminish, Kilpheder, Scolpaig and how different seals were given to the minister of Kilmuir ‘to offer up in sacrifice to the “gods”’ for the safe return of the seal hunters, the blacksmith and the people of Boreray.

It may also be added that Martin Martin, writing in the seventeenth century, tells how the men of North Uist caught seals in a narrow channel by means of a net of horse-hair ropes ‘contracted at one end like a Purse', and gives a detailed account of a seal-hunt on the Isle of Heisker:

When this crew is quietly landed, they surround the passes, and then the signal for the general attack is given from the boat, and so they beat them down with big staves. The seals at this onset make towards the sea with all speed, and often force their passage over the necks of the stoutest assailants, who aim always at the forehead of the seals, giving many blows before they be killed; and if they be not hit exactly on the front, they contract a lump on their forehead, which makes them look very fierce; and if they get hold of the staff with their teeth, they carry it along to sea with them. Those that are in the boat shoot at them as they run to sea, but few are caught that way. The natives told me that several of the biggest seals lose their lives by endeavoring to save their young ones, whom they tumble before them towards the sea. I was told also that 320 seals, young and old, have been killed at one time in this place. The reason of attacking them in October is because in the beginning of this month the seals bring forth their young on the ocean side; but those on the east side, who are of the lesser stature, bring forth their young in the middle of June.

References:

CW 112/28, fos. 95v–96r.

Martin, Martin, A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland circa 1695, ed. by MacLeod, Donald J. MacLeod (Edinburgh: Birlinn, 1994), pp. 133–34.

Image: Heisker, North Uist © Donald Lawson and is licensed for reuse under Creative Commons.