SCOTTISH HISTORY & HERITAGE

Megalithic & Mystical Scotland

Edin’s Hall Fort and Broch - Legend

Red Etin who lived in the fort was a three-headed giant, killed by a boy who gave the correct answers to the giant’s riddles. Another story is that the giant died by drowning when crossing the river. There is a large boulder at the site – it was said to have been a pebble the giant shook from his shoe.

Near Dun

Hownam Shearers – Legend

At Hownam Rings hillfort there is a line of 28 stones – said to be people turned to stone for reaping on the Sabbath.

Hownam


Linton Hill and Church – Legend

A gigantic worm (serpent or dragon) living on Linton Hill – said to have terrorized the locals. One local, John Somerville killed the worm by fixing a wheel of burning peat to his lance and forcing it down its throat. A wood carving of the event can still be seen over the church door. Linton Hill has coiled marks around it - said to have been made by the "worm".

Linton

Hermitage Castle – Ghosts

An early owner responsible for the castle’s reputation was Lord Soulis, rumours and legends grew up that he practised back magic; committed murder had a familiar called Redcap – a spirit who continued to haunt the castle. Lord Soulis is said to have been taken to Nine Stane Rig stone circle in the hill nearby, rolled up in a sheet of lead and tipped into a red-hot cauldron and melted. Lord Soulis is said to still haunt the castle, as is anyone who meets his or her death there.

Near Newcastleton.

Giant’s Stone – Legend

The three standing stones are said to be he place where Jack the Giant Killer met his end. The giant managed to kill Jack before dying. The stones marks where Jack was hiding to shoot the giant.

Near Tweedsmuir

Cairnholy Cairns – Neolithic Cairns

Two Neolithic Cairns stand in close proximity. These are burial chambers for clan chiefs or warrior heroes.

Near Gatehouse of Fleet

Torhousekie Stone Circle – Grave

The 19 standing stones on a gently raised platform. A cairn close by whose cist slab was removed in the 19^th century to cover a water conduit - is said to have several reportings of a strange light at night travelling from the cairn along the route the slab was carried and finally rests on the slab

Near Wigtown

Stirling Castle – Ghosts

A woman in a long pink dress has been seen walking from the castle to the church. There is also a green lady haunting various parts of the castle and seems to precede disasters. There have also been reports of footsteps in the Governor’s Block.

Stirling

St Andrews Cathedral – Witchcraft

Many witches were burned at St Andrews on a hill – known as the Witch Hill. Several sightings have been recorded of a Grey Lady moving around the ruins of the Cathedral.

St Andrews

St Michael’s Church – Ghost

A ghost of an old man dressed in blue visited King James IV inside the church and warned him that he would be killed at the battle of Flooden. James did not heed the ghosts warning and died in battle. There is also an aspiration of a lady in a blue gown; she can be seen walking towards the church before disappearing.

Linlithgow

Aberlemno Churchyard – Ancient Site

There are three stones depicting Pictish battles.

Near Forfar

Glamis Castle – Ghost

Glamis has a long list of ghosts one is said to be Macbeth and allegedly murdered Duncan here. There is a Negro servant, a madman on the roof, a tongueless woman and more recently there has been reports of a Grey Lady who haunts the chapel.

Glamis

Killineuer Chapel – Loch Awe – Ghost

The story has it that a tailor who didn’t believe in ghosts spent the night in the chapel. He passed his time knitting and refused to look at the ghosts. When he finally looks at it, he rushed out of the chapel, closely pursued by the ghosts. The ghost hit the lintel as it grabbed for the tailor and it bears a mark of the ghost’s hand.

Loch Awe

Dunadd – Ancient Site

This is a hillfort that was once the capital of the kingdom of Dalriada. At this site the new king would be inaugurated by placing his foot in a carved footprint. There are carvings still visible today.

Near Kilmichael

Carleton Castle – Ghosts

The ruined castle on the rocky ridge is said to be haunted by ghostly screams. Perhaps from the time when the baron who lived there pushed seven of his wife’s over the cliff.

Lendalefoot

Loch Ness – Sea Monster - Legend

The loch is over 24 miles long and has a long history of monster sightings. The first was is 6^th century, St Columba documented seeing a fearsome beastie. This is the only Scottish inland loch with a strange creature. Other sea lochs with strange sightings include: Loch Morar, Loch Lochy, Loch Shiel, Loch Duich and Loch Alsh

Loch Ness

Calva Cairns

This group has some unique features, it consist of around 30 Cairns and three main areas. There is three tombs contained cremations and have cup marks. The stone circles are known as Druid’s Temples.

Culloden

St Mary’s Well – Ancient Site

The well is a rag well, offerings of rags are hung in the tree branches. The water is said to have healing properties.

Culloden Wood, Near Culloden

Glen Shiel – Ghosts

Phantom warriors have been seen fighting – possible a re-enactment of the Battle of Glen Shiel 1719. The Spaniards helped the Jacobites fight the Hanoverians.

Glen Shiel

Letham Battlefield – Ghosts

The aftermath of a battle that took place in AD 685 was re-enacted in 1950. A woman driving home witnessed the event which lasted 12 minutes. She saw Pictish warriors examining dead comrades.

Letham

Midmar Stone Circle – Pagan

Pagan site with a standing stone circle. Now housed in the grounds of a 1914 Christian churchyard.

Midmar, Near Banchory

Deil’s Stanes – Legend

It is said that if you walk around the stone circle three times at midnight the Devil will appear.

Urquhart

Muchalls Castle – Ghost

The castle is traditionally haunted by a young lady dressed in green. There have been several sightings recently of the lady in green in the upstairs dining room.

Muchalls, Near Stonehaven

River Spey - Monster

The river is said to have a monster that requires a life each year. The White Sea Horse of Spay has been blamed for drownings, - it is said that it offers weary travellers a ride on its back, and then it would gallop off and plunge into the river.

Grey Cairns of Camster –Ancient Site

Two magnificent Neolithic burial chambers stand, one is round the other is a long chamber. The round chambered cairn (Camster Round) has a 20 foot long passageway but only 2 ^1/2 feet high. Camster Long has two entrances and the chambers have a very different shape. They were constructed separately by their own unconnected mounds.

Camster

Machrie Moor – Giant – Ancient Site

There is a group of stone circles and standing stones. Known as Fingal’s Cauldron Seat. There is other structures beneath the earth and it may have been an early Bronze Age settlement.

Machrie, Isle of Arran

Dunvegan Castle – Fairies - Legend

The Macleod castle of Dunvegan is said to be protected by the fairy flag. A 14^th century Macleod chief was given the flag by his fairy wife when she was recalled to fairyland. It is said to protect the clan in they were in danger – but only three times. It was used in battles in the 15^th and 16^th century and during the 2^nd World War young clan members took photos of the flag with them into battle. The flag is on display in the drawing room.

Isle of Skye.

Heaven Stone – Legend

In the churchyard of Trumpan a stone stands with a hole in it. The story goes - iIf you can put your finger in the hole with your eyes closed on the first attempt you will go to heaven. If not, then ….ooooh

Trumpan, Isle of Skye

Maes Howe – Chambered Cairn - Ancient Site

One of the finest burial chambers, built in 2100 BC. It stands on a level platform and is covered by a huge mound 24ft high and 115ft in diameter. The passageway is positioned so that the midwinter sum would light up the inner chamber. The chamber was plundered by the Vikings and they left 24 runic inscriptions and pictures describing the treasures they found and buried treasure.

Stormness, Orkney Isles

Stones of Stenness and Ring of Brodgar – Stone Circle and Henge - Ancient Site

The Ring of Brodgar is one of Britain’s most majestic stone circles. Built around 2500BC. Four of the stones bear carvings and runic inscriptions. It is thought that it some type of prehistoric observatory with Brodgar as the sun and Stenness as the moon. The ring of Brodgar has 27 large standing stones and Stenness has four.

Stenness, Orkney Isles

Skara Brae – Neolithic Settlement

This site was found in 1850 after a terrible storm lifted a sand dune the site saw the first light of day for over 5,000 years. There are nine dwellings all with all the domestic fittings carved from stone. One of the finest and best preserved Neolithic settlements in Britain.

Bay of Skaill, Orkney

Callanish Stones – Ancient Site

Gigantic 13 standing stones – legend had it they were giants that were turned to stone by St Kierran. It is believed that it is some kind of prehistoric lunar observatory – it dates back to about 1800BC.

Uig, Isle of Lewis