You know a country has mythical origins when the national animal is a unicorn
AN ELGIN EXCLUSIVE FEATURE
THE LOCH NESS MONSTER
Water monster legends are as old as humanity itself. The earliest mention of this specific monster dates back to the sixth century when St. Columba claimed to have seen a man-eating monster in the River Ness. He deftly stayed on shore while sending one of his men into the river as bait, then made the cross sign to frighten it away for the following 1400 years.
In 1933, an article of the Inverness Courier talked about a couple that sighted “tremendous upheaval” in the water. The couple were driving along the north shore of Loch Ness, and when they stopped, they noticed a “body resembling a whale” sending out “waves that were big enough to have been sent out by a passing steamer.”
The couple waited for half an hour hoping that it would resurface. What is now known as the ‘Loch Ness Monster’, was not seen again. However, the story was born.
THE BLUE MEN OF MINCH
In the nineteenth century, the strait connecting the Shiant Isles and the Island of Lewis was referred to as “the stream of the Blue Men” because it was thought to be home to an unusual race of beings.
Other historical accounts of the creatures claim that they resided in underwater caverns and had a clan structure and other tales from folklore claim that the only way to beat them was to win a rhyming duel.
Many less fortunate were left to drown in the frigid waters of the sea. However, numerous captains have been known to avoid tragedy with the sharpness of their tongue.
The weather would be calm while the Blue Men slept, but they could summon storms whenever they wanted.
However, they will provide safe passage through the region for innocent fisherman who haven’t done anything to anger them.
SELKIES
Although they are not unique to Scotland, tales of selkies are mostly prevalent in the Outer Hebrides, Orkney, and Shetland. Selkies can change their shape by losing and replacing their skin, switching between their seal and human forms. Selkies have always been described as being extremely gorgeous in human form. Any people that come across them fall hopelessly in love since they are elegant, compassionate, and passionate.
The villages where the tales are told rely on the sea for their survival. Such populations are well aware of the sea’s potential to be a wild, turbulent, and unpredictable power.
Tradition has it that they had no reluctance to remove their sealskins, meticulously store them, and travel interior in search of “unsatisfied women.”
There was a certain ceremony that such a mortal lady had to do if she wanted to communicate with a selkie-man. She had to walk to the seaside during high tide and cry seven tears into the water.
KELPIES
The Kelpies, the biggest equestrian sculpture in the world, is located in Falkirk, Scotland. These 30-meter-high horse-head sculptures were unveiled in April 2014 and are located in Helix Park.
A kelpie is a mythical, shape-shifting aquatic spirit from Scotland. The Scottish Gaelic terms “cailpeach” or “colpach,” which signify heifer or colt, may have been the source of the name. Rivers and streams are thought to be haunted by kelpies, who typically take the form of horses.
But be cautious. Kelpies, as opposed to unicorns, have a sinister and perilous temperament.
A kelpie may entice you to ride on its back near the sea. But watch out for this water horse with the damp mane. This cunning legendary creature carries off into the murky depths with anybody who succumbs to its calls.
THE OLD MAN OF STORR
The Isle of Skye is abounding in lore, with Scottish stories of giants and fairies strewn over the magnificent terrain. Many Scottish mythologies surround the origin of this historic site, ranging from devils turning giants into stone to fairies tricking an elderly man into believing that he and his wife were trapped for eternity. Particularly popular among both visitors and residents is The Old Man of Storr.
Scottish and English folklore both frequently mention ‘brownies’. It is claimed that they resemble hobgoblins. According to legend, brownies spend the day hiding out in homes performing household chores for the family they have chosen to work for at night. The brownie will vanish forever if you even make an attempt to thank them for their help.
According to legend, O’Sheen, a peasant, rescued the life of a brownie without expecting anything in return. The two grew to be close friends over time. O’Sheen passed suddenly from a broken heart one day when the brownie was away after his wife passed away.
After learning of his friend’s passing, the brownie was so distraught that he chiselled two rocks: one bigger, in honour of his comrade, which came to be known as the Old Man of Storr, and a smaller one for O’Sheen’s widow.
