Robert Macleod, Eddrachillis

Dr Kennedy in Days of the Fathers in Ross-shire, wrote concerning him:

The well known Robert Macleod, was Donald Macpherson’s devoted disciple. In whatever way Robert was at first awakened, it was through Donald’s blessed instruction he was established in “the truth as it is in Jesus,” and never was a soul more tenderly and wisely nursed, than that of this interesting inquirer. Ardent and honest, he, in his outset, needed a judicious friend; and in Donald Macpherson he found one, who could understand all his peculiarities, and who carried his case so closely under the light from the mercy-seat, that few of his fears and sorrows were hidden from him. No wonder though he venerated this man of God. The story of his first prayer, in Donald’s family, has been often told. To Robert’s bewilderment, his host abruptly asked him to pray at family worship, during a visit which he paid him. He dared not refuse; so, turning on his knees, and addressing his Creator, he said, “Thou knowest that though I have bent my knees to pray to Thee, I am much more under the fear of Donald Macpherson, than under the fear of Thyself.” Donald allowed him to proceed no farther, but, tapping him on the shoulder, said, “that will do, Robert; you have honestly begun and you will honourably end,” and then he himself concluded the service. Poor Robert’s first attempt was not, he himself thought, very encouraging, and he was expressing to his friend his fear that he never could be of any use, in bearing a public testimony for the truth.” Yes, Robert,” his friend soothingly said, “the Lord will open your mouth, to speak the praises of free grace, and, as a sign of this, you will be called thrice to speak, the very first day you are called to speak in public.” Soon thereafter, Robert heard that the communion was to be dispensed in Lochbroom, and that Mr Lachlan was expected to be there. He went on the appointed week, but did not reach the place of meeting at Lochbroom, till after the commencement of the service on Friday. He had not arrived, when Mr Lachlan was opening the question, and yet, strange to say, the minister declared, that he expected a recruit to the ranks of the speakers, that day, from whatever quarter he might come. Robert, just then, made his appearance, and was not long seated, when he was called to “speak to the question.” He did not refuse to rise, but was so embarrassed as to be able to utter only a few hurried words. Towards the close of the service, and after many others had spoken, Mr Lachlan called Robert again, and said to him, “as you were taken by surprise before, you could not be expected to say much, but rise again, and the liberty formerly denied, will be given you.” Robert rose, and delivered a most affecting address, which so delighted the minister, that he called him to conclude the service with prayer. This was Robert’s first public appearance, and he was called thrice to speak; and thus, the sign was given to him, which Donald Macpherson had led him to expect.
A remarkable instance, of Robert’s warm love to the brethren, and of his nearness to God in prayer, has been often repeated, and is undoubtedly true. The case of the godly John Grant was pressed closely on his spirit, along with an impression of his being in temporal want. He was strongly moved to plead with God for “daily bread,” for His child, and so constantly was he thinking of him for three days, that at midday of the fourth, he resolved to set out for John’s house, and he gave himself little rest till he reached it. Full of the impression that stirred him from home, he arrived at the house, and entering it, went at once to the place where the meal-chest used to be, and, to his astonishment, found it nearly full.
“This is a strange way, Robert, of coming into a friend’s house,” John said, as he advanced to salute him,” were you afraid I had no food to give you, if you should remain with me to-night?” “No,” was Robert’s answer, “but that meal-chest gave me no small trouble, for the last few days; but if I had known it was so far from being empty, as I find it is, you had not seen me here to-day.” “When did you begin to think of it?” John inquired. Robert mentioned the day and the hour when his anxiety about his friend began. “Well, Robert,” John said, “the meal-chest was then as empty as it could be; but how long were you praying that it might be filled?” “For three days and a half, I could scarcely think of any thing else,” Robert answered. “O what a pity,” his friend said,” you did not complete the prayers of the fourth day; for on the first, I got a boll of meal, another on the second, and a third on the day following, but, on the fourth day, only half a boll arrived, but now you are come yourself, and I count you better than them all.” Then, rejoicing in each other’s love, and in the love of their Father in heaven, who heareth the cry of the needy, they warmly embraced each other.

Donald Munro in Records of Grace in Sutherland wrote of him:

Robert Macleod belonged to the Kylestrome district. In his youth, he was indifferent to religion, Once when the Communion services were held in the parish, instead of attending public worship, on one of the week days he spent the time working at a meal mill in the district. A good man met him and reproved him for his carelessness. “You,” said the man “seem to be worse than Satan, for when the sons of Job went to the feast, we read that Satan appeared among them, but now, when the Gospel feast is spread in this parish, you do not go to the trouble of attending it.” The words fell on Robert like a thunder clap, and proved to be the means of bringing him under concern of soul.
When the heartless evictors cleared Kylestrome of its crofters and turned their township into a sheep run, he went to live at Geisgill. Robert’s mother, who was locally known as Barbara Ruairidh, was distinguished for her sincere piety. She said that of her seven children, she had good hopes of at least six. From Geisgill, Robert was again removed, and came to live at Tarbet, Loch Laxford, but he remained here only for a short period. His wife was rather a worldly woman, and when at Tarbet, she insisted on his remaining at home to sow the corn on one of the Communion days in a neighbouring parish. He did so, but said —“I don’t believe there will be much crop in that rig.” Scarcely a blade of corn grew in that part of the croft.
It is said that be went all the way to the parish or Tongue to see the godly Donald MacPherson, when in some trouble, in the hope that the venerable saint might deal faithfully with him. and tell what he thought of his case. Donald received the stranger kindly, but at first did not ask him even to ask a blessing at meals. When the time for family worship came round, the host took the preliminary parts, and then turning round to the stranger, he asked him to conclude with prayer. Robert at first declined, but the other was insistent. After getting down on his knees and addressing his Creator, he said, “Thou knowest I am more afraid of Donald MacPherson than of Thyself.” On hearing this, his host tapped him gently on the shoulder and said, “You have begun honestly, and will end honourably” and then concluded the prayer himself. When Donald was accompanying Robert on his way home, he encouragingly said to him,” As a sign that a life of public usefulness is before you, within three years hence, you shall be called three times in public on the same day.” Ere the stated time had transpired, the Communion was held in Lochbroom. On the Friday, Mr. Laclan MacKenzie, who presided, stated that he expected to have an important addition to the speakers that day. As the people sat out in the open air beside Clachan, many eyes were from time to time turned in the hope of catching a glimpse of the looked-for recruit. After a few of the “men” had been called, Robert, with a grey plaid wrapped around his shoulders, made his appearance, and took his place on the outskirts of the congregation. He had not been long seated when Mr. Lachlan, turning his face and pointing to him, said, “Stranger with the grey plaid on the edge of the congregation, rise, and speak to the question. Robert did so, but being taken by surprise, be felt embarrassed and only made a few remarks and sat down. Before the close of the meeting, Mr. Lachlan said, “Stranger with the grey plaid, you spoke at a disadvantage before, as you were called without an opportunity of hearing much of what had been said by others, but rise now, and the liberty which you formerly lacked shall now be given you.” Mr. Lachlan was so delighted with Robert’s remarks that after the question had been closed, he asked the stranger to engage in prayer. Thus the words of good Donald MacPherson were fulfilled to the letter. The following incident is given of Robert. At a Communion in Badcall, there was a large number of visitors, to whom every kindness was shown by the local people.
At a prayer-meeting on Monday morning, Robert was called to engage in prayer and one of his petitions, when asking that the people might be rewarded for their hospitality, was — “Reward them for their kindness, and in the case of such as may not have patience to wait for Thy reward, pay them in ready money.” (“Paigh iad le airgiod laimh.“) That evening, for it was mid-summer, several boats put to sea, and they had exceptionally large catches. [This anecdote is likely been misapplied to Robert Macleod. Rev Neil Macintyre of Edinburgh gives an alternative and fuller account in a sermon on Malachi 3:16 in the Free Presbyterian Magazine, March 1939, vol 43(11), p451, wherein he states that is was Donald Sutherland of Durness who prayed at a prayer meeting on the Monday of a communion in Scourie and that Robbie Mackay, afterwards responded to what was said in his prayer. The latter was contemporary with Donald Sutherland but not with Robert Macleod who was of an earlier generation and died before Mackay was born.]
When in Geisgill, one day he was resting himself by the wayside, when that arch-evictor, Charles Clark, happened to pass the way, who accosted the good man thus — “I am sure you are angry at me for having removed you.” “No,” said Robert, “but I am displeased with myself for my sins, for which the Lord is chastising me. But you take heed, for you are the chastening rod, and when it does its work, the Creator may break it and cast it into the fire.”
Once in the spring-time, Robert was engaged digging a corner of his croft with a Highland spade, or “caschrom”, and when he had finished, he said, “That piece of land shall never be cultivated again till a child of the covenant comes and does so.” Next year, he was removed to Tarbet where he remained only for a short time. He then came to Badcall.
After he had come to be known as one of the most the early morning, he went to the shore to gather shellfish for breakfast, and while doing so, saw a vessel enter the bay and from it there landed a young man laden with parcels. This was Robert’s son who was one of the ship’s crew, and was on a visit to his father. He brought with him provision enough for entertaining the visitors and supplying the household for many days.
Robert and Donald MacPherson were once together, when one asked the other would there be a return of the Divine power? Donald, as seemingly the older, replied, “When that takes place, every man will be smiting not his neighbour’s but his own breast.”

He ended his pilgrimage in Badcall, early in the third decade of the nineteenth century. He is buried in the graveyard at Scourie.