Tag: scotland

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.

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Packhorse Bridge, Carrbridge

While passing through the Cairngorms we stopped to take a look at this iconic old bridge. Situated in the picturesque Highland village of Carrbridge and also known as ‘Coffin Bridge’, this bridge was built in 1717 to allow funeral processions to reach Duthil Church by crossing the River Dulnain. Notwithstanding, it was a welcome addition to the village, providing a way for tradesmen and locals to traverse the river. It’s a single span humpback arched bridge, now no longer in use and with its side rails missing, all that remains is a slender arch across the river. The viewpoint plaque reads:

“At the beginning of the eighteenth century, to the inconvenience of both travellers and local people, there was no point at which the River Dulnain could be crossed when it was in spate, and burials at the Church of Duthil were often delayed.

Brigadier-General Alexander Grant of Grant, Clan Chief, commissioned John Niccelsone, a mason from Ballindaloch, to build a bridge at Lynne of Dalrachney. Built between May and November 1717, the bridge was paid for out of stipends of the Parish of Duthill.

Its parapets and side walls were badly damaged in the 18th century and again in the famous flood of August 1829, giving the appearance it still has today. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, to the inconvenience of both travellers and local people, there was no point at which the River Dulnain could be crossed when it was in spate, and burials at the Church of Duthil were often delayed.

Brigadier-General Alexander Grant of Grant, Clan Chief, commissioned John Niccelsone, a mason from Ballindaloch, to build a bridge at Lynne of Dalrachney. Built between May and November 1717, the bridge was paid for out of stipends of the Parish of Duthill.

Its parapets and side walls were badly damaged in the 18th century and again in the famous flood of August 1829, giving the appearance it still has today.”

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Cult Of St Andrew, Patron Saint Of Scotland

This oak carving of St Andrew is thought to have come to Scotland from a church in Northern Europe. Legend says that the bones of St Andrew, disciple of Jesus, were brought from Greece in the 350’s by Bishop Regulus. Objects associated with holy people were the focus of Christian devotion in medieval Europe hence the town (originally Kilrimund) became a major pilgrimage site and the centre of the cult of St Andrew. Pilgrims made long journeys to visit his relics and in the 1100’s, Queen Margaret of Scotland established a free ferry across the Firth of Forth to enable an easier journey north to St Andrews. When pilgrims arrived, the town’s street layout directed them to the Cathedral where the relics were richly housed.

By around 1200, the town was named after St Andrew and in 1320 he was officially adopted as Scotland’s patron saint and explicitly mentioned in the Declaration of Arbroath. St Andrew’s symbol of the saltire, an X-shaped cross, became a national emblem and later was assumed as our National Flag.

The above Statue of St Andrew, which is in the grounds of Wardlaw Museum in St Andrews, is attributed to Sir John Steell (1804-1891) and is a copy of one sculpted by Francios Duquesnoy (1597-1643) which sits in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

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First Detailed Map of Scotland

This outstanding map shows Scotland as an inviting and wealthy Country with great cities, walled towns, majestic castles and grand churches. Presented to King Henry VI of England in 1457 by chronicler, John Hardyng, it was done so as an enticement for the King to invade Scotland.

Hardyng had originally been sent as a spy on a secret mission to Scotland by Henry V (1413-1422) who intended to invade. However, Henry V died so the map became part of Hardyngs first chronicle, ‘A History of England and its Neighbours’. Hardyng suggested a route England’s army could take to invade Scotland.

The Map was being displayed at Wardlaw Museum, St Andrews, while on loan from the British Library, so I took the opportunity to pop by to see it. Being a fan of using maps to find my way around rather than relying on GPS, I was intrigued to see this. It’s not everyday you can have a close up look at something that’s almost 800 years old!

Guard of Honour

Fortuitously, I was in a café in Ballater when I heard this event would be taking place and as I was only a 15 minute drive away I thought I’d go along to watch the proceedings.

Balaklava Company, 5th Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, forms a Guard of Honour at Crathie Kirk to welcome members of the Royal Family. The British Royal Family have worshiped here at Crathie for over a century. While they are an independent rifle company, Balaklava Company are renowned for their ceremonial role in Scotland and remain on Royal Guard at Balmoral for the duration of the Monarch’s summer stay there.

Balaklava Company participated in ceremonies to escort the late Queen, Elizabeth II, in her coffin from Balmoral to Edinburgh then onward to London. They were also involved in her funeral. Lieutenant General, Nick Borton, said “It’s a deeply personal attachment for all the soldiers in the regiment to be involved in her funeral arrangements,” he said. “She was very fond of the regiment and all the soldiers in it. For us, it’s not just a military task, we’re saying goodbye to our Commander in Chief and our Colonel.”

Old Boat of Caol

Abandoned on the stony beach between Caol and Corpach where Loch Linnhe meets Loch Eil, rests the ‘MV Dayspring’. Nicknamed ‘Golden Harvest’ she worked out of Kilheel in Northern Ireland as a trawler boat, fishing herring & mackerel until 2001. She was retired to Kinlochleven Pier in 2009 with plans to transform her into a floating restaurant. During a violent storm in 2011, Golden Harvest broke free from yet new moorings at Camusnagaul Bay, when the coast guard was required to rescue then guide her to her pebbly repose in the shadow Ben Nevis. She remains there, a photogenic and beloved celebrity.

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