Tales of Scotland
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The Innocent Railway
The Edinburgh and Dalkeith Railway is now a cyclepath stretching from central Edinburgh, at Newington and St. Leonard's at its west end, through Duddingston, Niddrie and Craigmillar to the east and continues on to Bingham and Brunstane. There are many stories surrounding the railway that originally followed this path, nicknamed "The Innocent Railway". One story tells that it won its nickname for the fact that it employed a horse-drawn "engine" in an age wherein steam power was thought dangerous. Another tale insists that the line acquired the nickname for the fact that no one died in accidents laying down the rail line.
Whatever the reason for the nickname, another story has been passed down amongst the Changelings inhabiting this area since the railway was completed: it is said that the True Fae will not cross the line, and a Changeling fleeing Gentry pursuers will be safe if she can get across the Innocent Railway.
Rev. Robert Kirk, and The Secret Commonwealth
Rev. Robert Kirk, the youngest and seventh son of Mr. James Kirk, minister of Aberfoyle, in 1691 wrote an unusually sympathetic account of the denizens of Arcadia. It is said that, for his trouble, Rev. Kirk was taken to Arcadia by the True Fae. Though Rev. Kirk disappeared, his work did not, though it didn't see publication until 1815 - printed from a handwritten manuscript dated 1691 and owned by his son, Colin Kirk. A mere 100 copies were made in 1815, and tales abound regarding the dangers of owning one of these original printings of the book. Mysterious tales also surround Rev. Kirk's decendants.
The Blue Men of the Minch
It is said that crossing the water between Lewis and mainland Scotland is exceptionally dangerous for Changelings, for they draw the attention of the Blue Men of the Minch who reside in those waters, looking for sailors to drown and stricken boats to sink.
Loch monsters
Nearly every Loch in Scotland has some tale of a creature residing beneath the placid surface of its waters, from the famous "Nessie" in Loch Ness, Morag in Loch Morar, Searrach Uisge in Loch Suainbhal... who can say what the truth of these tales might be?
The Loch Ness Monster
Over the centuries there have been sporadic sightings of 'beasties' out in the water of Loch Ness. From the time of St. Columba, who saved one of his followers from being attacked by a monster on the loch in 565 AD, sightings have intermittently continued up to the present day.
However it was only with the publication of this article in the Inverness Courier in 1933, that 'Nessie' came to the world's attention.
"Loch Ness has for generations been credited with being the home of a fearsome looking monster, but, somehow or other, the "water kelpie", as this legendary creature is called, has always been regarded as a myth, if not a joke.
Now, however, comes the news that the beast has been seen once more, for on Friday of last week a well-known businessman who lives in Inverness, and his wife (a University graduate), when motoring along the north shore of the loch, not far from Abriachan pier, were startled to see a tremendous upheaval on the loch, which previously had been as calm as the proverbial millpond. The lady was the first to notice the disturbance, which occurred fully three-quarters of a mile from the shore, and it was her sudden cries to stop that drew her husband's attention to the water.
There, the creature disported itself, rolling and plunging for fully a minute, its body resembling that of a whale, and the water cascading and churning like a simmering cauldron. Soon, however, it disappeared in a boiling mass of foam. Both onlookers confessed that there was something uncanny about the whole thing, for they realised that here was no ordinary denizen of the depths, because, apart from its enormous size, the beast, in taking the final plunge, sent out waves that were big enough to have been caused by passing steamer. The watchers waited for almost half an hour in the hope that the monster (if such it was) would come to the surface again; but they had seen the last of it.
Questioned as to the length of the beast, the lady stated that, judging by the state of the water in the affected area, it seemed to be many feet long.
It will be remembered that a few years ago, a party of Inverness anglers reported that, when crossing the loch in a rowing boat, they encountered an unknown creature, whose bulk, movements, and the amount of water displaced at once suggested that it was either a very large seal, a porpoise, or, indeed, the monster itself!
But the story, which duly appeared in the press, received scant attention, and less credence. In fact most of those people who were aired their views on the matter did so in a manner that bespoke feelings of the utmost scepticism.
It should be mentioned that, so far as is known, neither seals nor porpoises have ever been known to enter Loch Ness. Indeed, in the case of the latter, it would be utterly impossible for them to do so, and, as to the seals, it is the fact that though they have on rare occasions been seen in the River Ness, their presence in Loch Ness has never been definitely established."
~ Alex Campbell, Water Bailiff
Inverness Courier, 2nd May 1933
Seonaidh
It is said that the inhabitants of Lewis used to give offerings to a water spirit, Seonaidh, by giving a cup of ale in the following manner. They came to the church of St. Mulway, each man carrying his own provisions. Every family gave a pock of malt, and the whole was brewed into ale. One of their number was chosen to wade into the sea up to his waist, carrying in his hand the cup full of ale. When he reached a proper depth, he stood and cried aloud:
"Seonaidh, I give thee this cup of ale, hoping that thou wilt be so good as to send us plenty of seaware for enriching our ground during the coming year."
He then threw the ale into the sea. This ceremony was performed in the night-time. On his coming to land, they all repaired to church, where there was a candle burning on the altar. There they stood still for a time, when, on a signal given, the candle was put out, and straightaway, they adjourned to the fields where the night was spent mirthfully over the ale. Next morning, they returned to their respective homes, in the belief that they had ensured a plentiful crop for the next season.
Some Changelings say that this stems from customs that sprang up around the presence of a Spring Court Fairest who resided in the area in the 15th Century.
The Fiddlers of Tomnahurich
Two travelling fiddlers visiting Inverness were looking for places where they could play. While searching for a suitable venue they met an old man in strange clothes, who asked them if they would perform for him. They agreed and followed the old man to the wooden hill of Tomnahurich, just as the sun slipped out of view over the Western horizon. There was an opening in the side of the hill through which they followed the old man into a brightly lit cavern hall, where a great feast was underway. The feast was attended by a host of people, all dressed in colourful finery, and each seeming to have an air of enchantment and beauty about them. They sat down at one of the many tables and proceded to enjoy the fine wine and the rich food served to them.
When it came the time for dancing they played their fiddles and the party got into full swing, each fiddler playing better than he had ever played before. Finally, in what seemed like no time at all, the feast was over and it was time for the fiddlers to leave. Their noble company thanked them, and the old man who had led them into the hillside paid them with a bag of silver and gold coins. The fiddlers left the hill in a fine mood, and walked back towards the centre of Inverness. As they neared the town they saw that everything had changed. Where there was once dense woodland buildings now stood, as if they had appeared overnight. All the people they met along the way were dressed in strange looking clothes, and poked fun at the fiddlers' "old fashioned" clothing.
The fiddlers decided that they had been enchanted in some strange way and made the return journey to their hometown. When they arrived they were dismayed to find that everything they knew here had also changed; their homes were no longer occupied and they recognised no one. In despair they ran into the local church where the local priest was in the midst of delivering a sermon. As soon as the priest spoke the word of God both fiddlers crumbled to dust in front of the eyes of the horrified congregation.
Thomas the Rhymer
Thomas the Rhymer was Scotland's best-known "prophet". Also known as Thomas of Ercildoune, Lord Learmont, and True Thomas, there can be no doubt that he was a real person living in the thirteenth century. Though documents signed by him as Thomas Rymour de Ercieldoune exist, it is difficult to find firm evidence about the details of his life. However, in the centuries since his death, a host of traditions and legends regarding his life and abilities have formed.
There are many accounts of his prophecies printed in chapbook form from the sixteenth century onwards. It is said that he gained his powers of prophecy from a meeting with the Queen of Elfland. He travelled with her for forty days and forty nights into the underworld, and served her for seven years. He then returned to the upper-world endowed with the gift of a tongue that can not lie, which he is said to have protested against.
A version of the romance or ballad of Thomas the Rhymer may have been available as early as the fourteenth century. Click here to read a version of it.
One of his most famous prophecies involved the crowning of James the VI of Scotland (later also James I of England). He said that when the Tweed flooded into Merlin's grave, Scotland and England would have one king. This happened at Merlin's grave in Drumelzier when James was crowned.
Thomas is said to have returned to Elfland. He was feasting at his castle, when word came that a white hind and doe were walking calmly around the village streets. Thomas took his leave from those at the castle, and was never seen again.
Although he is often thought to have returned to the fair realm he makes notable appearances in later tales such as Canobie Dick, and has been seen as a mediator between the mundane realm and the otherworld.
Another tradition is that Thomas was buried beneath the hill of Tomnahurich, or that he lives within it, ready to lead an army of men on white steeds to aid Scotland in its hour of need.
Dalarossie
A good twenty miles or so from Inverness stands the parish church of Dalarossie, and just beside the church stands the glebe, a patch of land that was used for recreation.
This tale concerns two families, the Shaws of Strathnairn, and the MacIntoshes of Strathdearn, who arranged to have a game of shinty on the glebe on Christmas Day. When the game was first suggested, the MacIntoshes gladly agreed, but when they learnt that Christmas Day was to fall on the Sabbath that year they decided to call the whole thing off.
When the Shaws turned up on Christmas Day ready for the match, they discovered that the MacIntoshes weren't coming out after all. Disappointed and not so easily put off, the Shaws divided up amongst themselves - having enough players to form two teams - and played a game regardless. They had a grand time of it and thought no harm was done in breaking the Sabbath.
It seems, however, that they were tragically mistaken... for it is said that during the course of the following year, every man jack of them died.
To this day, 'tis said that the ghostly shinty players return to Dalarossie, once a year, to play their game on the glebe on Christmas Day.
The Battle of Culloden
Culloden was the battle that sounded the death knell for the Jacobite forces in 1746. All realistic hope of a Stuart return to the thrones of Britain was dashed with this defeat. Though "Bonnie Prince Charlie" managed to escape the battle and flee overseas a few months later, few of his troops were so fortunate.
The Jacobite forces arrived at Culloden in poor condition after a harsh Winter, and their chances were only made worse by the boggy, rain sodden ground of the moor, the numbers of the opposition, and the disputes and misjudgements of their commanders. The day after botching an attempt at a night-time attack on the enemy's camp, it took barely 40 minutes of fighting for the Stuart army to be cut to pieces by the Hanoverian troops, under the command of Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland. Though William came to be called "Butcher" Cumberland for his brutal treatment of the defeated Stuart forces, it is worth bearing in mind that more Scots fought for the Hanoverians at Culloden than were on the field for the doomed cause of the Stuarts, and that the atrocities were perpetrated upon the Stuart men by those whose hopes Charles had claimed to embody.
Ghosts of the men who lost their lives during and after the battle are still said to appear on the field at Culloden - particularly on the anniversary of the battle, the 16th of April.
Marching Highlanders, bleeding soldiers and corpses... the sounds of battle - pipers, the clashing of swords, report of gunfire, whistle of artillery, and the cries of the wounded have all been witnessed.
One particular Highland spectre is said to frequent the area and address visitors: tall in stature with drawn, despairing features - he is heard to say "defeated" in hushed tones when encountered.
One woman visiting the moor from Edinburgh in August 1936 lifted a tartan cloth covering one of the mounds that mark the Jacobite graves, only to discover an apparition of a dead Highlander underneath it.
It is also claimed that birds do not sing in the vicinity of the grave mounds, hushed by the ominous atmosphere.
There are many wells in the area, both on the battle site itself and nearby. St Mary's Well is said to be haunted by the ghosts of the dead Highlanders, and Clootie Well in Culloden wood is festooned with brightly coloured rags, offerings from people wishing to be cured of ailments.
