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Scottish Myths & Legends
Posted on May 12, 2013 by Chas Mac Donald
The stories that I have about him came from my mother, Mary MacLeod who, along with some others we are acquainted with, went to the same primary school in Skye as Iain Dubh, albeit at a later date.
Although he came from a God-fearing people, Iain, due to his exploits, became known as “The Wizard of...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
Like much Scottish history the tale of Rob Roy is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. The people of the time were mostly illiterate and stories of the famous battles and legendary characters were mainly passed down the generations by word of mouth, embellished as they went, to provide the great tales ...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
The Armstrong Clan has been without a chief for over 450 years, the story behind this is one laced with intrigue, murder, piracy and even hidden treasure. The stuff movies are made from.
The story is set around Johnnie Armstrong of Gilnockie and the Border Reivers in the 16th Century. Johnnie Arm...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
Even since the first wild dog came sniffing around a stone age camp fire looking for scraps our relationship with these animals has been a close one. Many stories exist of this bond between man and dog and Scotland has its fair share. However the most famous by far was Bobby - the Skye Terrier.
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Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
Throughout history there are incidents that at the time may seem small or even insignificant, the action of a few individuals who would normally be considered mere spectators in the pageant of history. Some obvious incidents come to mind; The Boston Tea Party or the assassination of Archduke Ferdina...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
The year is 1836 and five young boys are roaming Arthurs Seat in Holyrood park, Edinburgh - hunting for rabbits, what they find defies belief and brings back to the public's attention one of the most gruesome periods of our capital's history.
Buried in a small cave they find 17 miniature coffins ...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
In recent times the stories of Hannibal Lecter and the real life horrors of Jeffrey Dahmer have provided chilling accounts of cannibalism. However, Scotland can lay claim to one of the most gruesome horror tales ever recounted - the legend of Sawney Bean.
Sawney Bean was born in East Lothian appro...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
Never mind Nessie, the scariest creature ever to roam Scotland was the infamous Linton Worm.
A 'Worm' was another term used for a dragon (orme or worme is the ancient Norse for serpent), and the Linton worm lived in a hollow on the Northeast side of Linton Hill. This area is still known as 'Worm'...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
Returning to Iona from his mission to Christianise the Picts, Saint Columba approached one of the crossing points of the River Ness. There was a small settlement here, and a group of people were digging a grave for a newly dead man. When Columba asked how the man had died he was told he had been kil...
Posted on February 7, 2013 by Donald
Almost every Scottish loch has a monster, or at least stories about a monster. Perhaps they are just convenient tales told by grannies to stop local children playing too near the water? The most common monster in these watery warnings is the kelpie, the waterhorse.
The kelpie was a creature that li...