Mermaid of the North

Capturing the imaginations of those who visit her, the alluring Mermaid of the North perches on ‘Clach Dubh’ (Black Rock) by the village of Balintore, Easter Ross. Coastal fables tell of a Mermaid who was captured by a cunning fisherman who hid her tail. Years later, after bearing his children, she found her tail and escaped back to sea, returning regularly to the shore, bringing fish for her hungry family.

Donal had left his boat to gather gulls’ eggs, up high on the cliff, when he noticed a beautiful, long haired woman sitting, singing on a rock below. He crept down for a closer look and upon realising she was a mermaid, grasped hold of her left hand, which it was said was the way to capture a mermaid as all of her strength is in her right hand. She begged him to let her go but being a lonely bachelor, he hid her tail so she couldn’t return to the sea and resolved to make her his wife. The Mermaid gradually settled into life with Donal, had several children with him and made a life for herself, caring for her family. One day though, while she was clearing away some dusty old things in the loft, she came upon her tail. She held it close and hurriedly ran back to the sea lest anyone stop her. Donal would often row out to sea, calling her, begging her to come home but she never returned to him. Everyday, however, her children would visit the shore where she would bring them fish to take home.

Millie & I always stop by, sometimes bringing friends, to visit The Mermaid of the North on our trips around the North Coast. She sits on her rock against the dramatic backdrop of the Moray Firth, where there are superb views of the coastline.