Ellan-Maree, a wooded islet of Gairloch parish, Ross-shire, one of the smallest and most easterly of the island group towards the middle of Loch Maree. It seems to have been the site of a pre-Reformation chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and hence to have got its name, which some, however, derive from the Gael. Ellan-mac-Righ, ` the island of the king's son, ' a prince of Norway, according to tradition, having been buried here. It contains remains of an ancient burying-ground, and has also a deep well, consecrated in popular superstition to Saint Maree. Till not very long ago Ellan-Maree was supposed by the country folk round to possess a virtue for the cure of insanity-their method for obtaining the cure being to drag the lunatic to the shore of the lake, fasten him by a rope to a rowing boat, and tow him round the island, after which he had to drink some water from the holy well. The island was visited by Queen Victoria in Sept. 1881.—Ord. Sur., sh. 92, 1881.
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