Leitir Fura

Leitir Fura roughly translates into "a plane or landing of oaks" with Fura meaning oak.  It is located in Sleat, on the southern end of Skye in western Scotland and is now part of a reserve of the Forestry Commission in Kinloch Forest.  This is one of the more colorful settlements of Clan MacInnes.  The Clan was known as "rum runners" - they would monitor the boats on the lock and said to highjack the boats containing whiskey or rum.

The village of Leitir Fura was the last known habitation of MacInneses as a Clan.  After being dispossessed of its lands in Morvern, some of the Clan moved here around 1490.  The village was abandoned c. 1790 after a great oak, which was used by cattle for shade, was burned down by one of the children, supposedly a MacInnes.  The Clan then moved to Dunan and Drumfearn.  Today, there remains a few foundations and low walls of stone and small rock overgrown with holly and gorse.  The buildings were typical croft houses with quarters for wintering cattle directly adjoining the house.  The site clings to a hillside overlooking three lochs – a superior position for observing (and intercepting) whiskey smugglers rowing their cargo along the coast at night.  The site now is a favorite hiking spot on Skye.

A humorous note from a MacDonald to Lord MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, about a MacInnes is below.

Leitir Fura hillside

Leitir Fura

Leiter Fura loch
Another view of the loch and some ruins.
Cottage ruins
Scattered ruins of cottages.
MacDonal letter

This document was loosely translated by Maggie MacDonald at the Archives at Clan Donald Centre and was provided by Duncan MacInnes of the Ostaig House on Skye.  It was said that the MacDonald was not happy because the MacInnes was getting all the liquor, and the MacDonald wanted him out of the way.