Five Legends on Scotlands most famous Isle (Isle of Skye)
On the Northwest of Scotland, sits the island of Skye, with its sweeping vistas and breathtaking landscapes, this place has inspired many living here to come up with some truly magnificent Scottish myths and legends, doing so for over hundreds of years.
If you are a visitor, it is worth exploring the island to find out just what and where these myths are and the stories associated with them.
Dunvegan Castle
With a legacy stretching back over seven centuries, Dunvegan Castle has been inhabited continuously by Clan MacLeod for around eight hundred years, this clan and their story has featured many fantastical tales of fairies and cruses that are hidden within the castle’s ancient walls, standing tall even now as a stark reminder of the endurance of this clan.
The Fairy Flag/Banner, is said to have been used in battle by the Macleods to bring victory on the field, bringing luck to all of the men fighting on his behalf.
It is said that Macleod himself, obtained the flag after encountering a fairy that challenged him to a wrestle and tussle, telling him that if used more than three times, flag would curse the users bloodline, preventing them from bearing any children and for their livestock to do the same.
The Fairy Cup is another mythical artifact that can still be found in the castle today, hailing from Ireland, it is believed to have been taken from the fairies, trapping whoever drinks from it, later coming into the possession of the Macleods and has been held at Dunvegan Castle ever since.
Sligachan Bridge
Built between 1810 and 1818, it is not bridge itself but the waters that run beneath it that have magical properties, granting one eternal beauty, as the water itself is a gateway to the world of the fairies and fae.
The story goes that Scáthach, the mighty Scottish warrior engaged in battle with Cúchulainn, the strongest warrior of Ireland, to prove who was the best, the battle shook the earth and formed the mountains.
Scáthach’s daughter, upset at the ensuing chaos, made her way to the river in which the bridge would later sit.
With tears dripping from her face and into the water, the fairies within made themselves known, asking her to dip her face into the water, granting her the knowledge she needed to stop the ensuing conflict, preparing a mighty banquet for both of the tired warriors and allowing them to put their differences aside and share a drink under one roof together.
The Minch
The Minch is a treacherous stretch of water between the Isle of Lewis and the Island of Skye, said to be inhabited by blue men, creatures said to be half-man and half-fish, sporting a clue color of skin.
These creatures pursue and harass passing sailors, with legends being that they have the ability to alter the weather, causing mischief, when one sleeps however, the weather calm and through kind gestures, gifts and respectful communication, these fish can even be reasoned with.
The Blue Men are first believed to have been encountered when sailors captured one that was sleeping, it would however later free itself from the sailors without any difficulty and lurching back into the water, leaving only the tales of their of existence.
The Blue Men inspire many ideas and concepts as to what they are, from manifestations of the sea itself, spirits that inhabit the sea or even followers of Lucifer.
Boreraig, MacCrimmon Pipers
The MacCrimmons, were a family of pipers that have been shrouded in legend, owning and operating the MacCrimmon School of Music from the 1500’s to the 1800’s, said to have attracted aspiring pipers from all across the world to learn the art of bagpiping.
These pipers have been mystified and revered as mythical pipers that taught members of the MacLeod Clan how to play, with training in their school lasting a whole ten years! and was a reportedly an arduous and difficult process, with many challenges to be overcome.
A myth that was later drawn up around the MacCrimmons was that they had connections to freemasonry and would encode theological ideas and concepts within the music itself, although regarding the MacCrimmons and the validity of their perceived mastery with music is widely debated even today.
Trotternish, The Cave of Gold
To the far north of Skye is a cave that is very well known within Scottish legend, with the story being broken into two parts.
The first tells of a young MacCrimmon, who wished to be proficient at playing the bagpipes, one day he was approached by a banshee near the cave and asked if he would have “success without skill or skill without success”, MacCrimmon chose the latter and was thus appointed by the Banshee as the “king of the pipers”.
The second tells of a piper who willingly entered the cave of gold, in which a monster lurked, the piper, playing a lament upon entering the cave, knowing he would not return, those outside would be able to hear this lament as he delved into the cave, slowly coming to a stop as the piper was consumed by the beast, with the only defense being his music.
The inspiring beauty and enigmatic mystery surrounding this cave has been responsible for many tales from caves all across Scotland, worth if you want to see Skye’s stunning coast and explore the myths they inspired.
Skye, Island of Legends
These are just a few among many legends that are present throughout Skye, with stories emanating from this place that have inspired the imaginations of so many who live and visit this wondrous and rugged land, it is worth visiting yourself if you are interested in seeing many of the unique natural attractions that can be found here.
From the stunning Fairy pools, enigmatic Duvengan Castle to the unique looking Old Man of Storr there is no shortage of things to see on Skye
Come and see them yourself on our 3-day Isle of Skye tour.
