Celtic Myth & legend

Across the Celtic world there are myths and legends about strange creatures that emerge from the sea. Some are benign, many are malevolent and there are others who live a parallel existence with humankind, but whose paths rarely cross. Many of these entities live in hidden kingdoms and palaces under the seas. At times they are associated with islands that humans cannot see and the sunken cities that are said to exist beneath the waves off our Celtic coasts. One such island is the magical vanishing island of Hildaland in the seas around Orkney, the group of islands situated off the north coast of Scotland.

Edinburgh (Scottish Gaelic: Dùn Èideann) is the capital city of Scotland. It has a rich history and the earliest known human habitation in the area  was at Cramond (Scottish Gaelic: Cathair Amain) a village and suburb in the north-west of Edinburgh. Evidence of a Mesolithic camp site was found here dating to c. 8500 BC. Traces of later Bronze Age and Iron Age settlements have been found in other parts within and surrounding Edinburgh. Amongst the many historic sites that can be seen today is the famous Edinburgh Castle. It stands on the extinct volcano of Castle Rock. Evidence of human occupation on the rock dates back to the Iron Age and there has been a royal castle on the rock since at least the 12th century under the reign of David I of Scotland in the 12th century.

The Outer Hebrides, also known as the Western Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar) is an island chain made up of 200 islands in a 130 mile archipelago off the north west coast of mainland Scotland. They form part of the Hebrides, separated from the Scottish mainland and from the Inner Hebrides by the waters of the Minch, the Little Minch and the Sea of the Hebrides. The Minch (Scottish Gaelic: An Cuan Sgitheanach, An Cuan Sgìth, Cuan na Hearadh, An Cuan Leòdhasach), also called North Minch. The Lower Minch (an Cuan Canach), also known as the Little Minch, is the Minch's southern extension.

Legend also tells that the Minch is home to a clan of mythical blue men. Most of the time “The Blue Men Of Minch” swim the seas, but sometimes sleep in underwater caves. While the Blue Men slept the weather could be fine and the seas calm. However, when awake they could conjure up storms whenever they wanted. These creatures, that are the size and shape of humans, are very strong and can be seen swimming and diving with pleasure when the seas are rough. Following the boats that are navigating the waters of the area they can be friendly towards humans, but this can be dependant upon their mood and if they are treated with respect.

Na h-Eileanan Flannach is the Scottish Gaelic name of the small group of islands known in English as the Flannan Isles, located in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides (Na h-Eileanan Siar). Also known as the Seven Hunters they stand just over 20 miles (32 kilometres) from the Isle of Lewis (Leòdhas ). They are a bird sanctuary and at times a place of beauty. At others these remote islands bear the brunt of severe Atlantic storms, which whip the seas into frenzy and force even the hardy gulls to stay sheltered in the cliff face crags. For many years they have remained uninhabited, the last residents of any length being the lighthouse keepers, who between 1899 and its automation in 1971, kept the light burning on the highest point of the island group, Eilean Mòr.

Until the lighthouse had been built between 1895 and 1899 it is probable that Na h-Eileanan Flannach had not been inhabited permanently since the days of the Celtic Church. The Celtic Church was predominant across the Celtic speaking world in the early middle ages (5th to the 10th century). On the island of Eilean Mòr is the ruin of an old chapel dedicated to St Flannan. However, over many centuries for many of the Gaelic Hebridean community the islands have been viewed as a place of superstition and bad luck. A view that was reinforced by the tragic and mysterious events that befell the lighthouse keepers on Eilean Mòr in mid-December 1900.

It is the fate of the lighthouse keepers in 1900; just over one year after the island’s lighthouse came into operation that is the cause of much mystery and speculation. For all three keepers, Thomas Marshall, James Ducat and Donald Macarthur disappeared without trace. It was on 15th December 1900 that the ship Archtor which was sailing for Scotland from Philadelphia had reported that as they passed the islands the lighthouse was not in operation. In those days there was no radio communication between the keepers on Eilean Mòr  and the shore station of Breasclete on Lewis. When the lighthouse tender Hesperus arrived on St Stephen’s Day (26th December) 1900 having been delayed due to adverse conditions, they found the lighthouse abandoned.