Superstition in Lewis had survived in a powerful form. Thus, when the peasant first looked at the group of singular little ivory figures it was natural that they should appear as the pigmy sprites of Celtic folklore. However, he was persuaded by his wife to return to the spot and to take the figures home. He sold them to a local collector who realised that the figures were chessmen.

There were 78 pieces in all, belonging to eight or more sets. 67 pieces are now in the British Museum in London, with the rest in the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh. Experts are unanimous in regarding them as " the most astonishing collection of ancient chessmen in existence."