sandwood bay
Although there is a an article on the website about the wonderful Scottish and paranormal bhhotspot, I was wondering if anyone has ever been there?
Although there is a an article on the website about the wonderful Scottish and paranormal bhhotspot, I was wondering if anyone has ever been there?
I am going up to Sutherland (i’m a Mackay and all my roots are there) in two weeks time and for a while have been enchanted by the stories of Sandwood Bay. The Each Usige in particular and the mermaids. What I found so fascinating about the mermaids than in many cultures the mermaids are seen with white skin and yellow hair… Scotland being no exception to this or sandwood bay for that matter! I only hope I can go. I don’t exactly feel like treking there myself (in the middle of no where— no one can hear you scream!) and my father has arthritis in his foot… which makes me wonder whether he would be able to survive a 4 mile walk and back.
Anyone know any more about this? I hear feelings of dread over come those who venture on to the beach.
Any information on it would be lovely.
I was there about 15 years
I was there about 15 years ago – so it might have changed, the walk is fairly flat so if you take it easy should be OK – I have talked to one walker who knew nothing of the story but walked past a ‘fisherman’ in a southwester type hat who disappeared, they tried to camp near the cottage but got spooked out and only found out about the story later, but then there are plenty of people who have not experienced anything.
It is however one of the best beaches in britain – I have been on a couple on Arran, Harris, Devon, Cornwall and Lewis that come close but Sandwood is special – the weather as usual can change in seconds so as long as you are prepared. I think Billy Connolly once said there is no such thing as bad weather – just inappropriate clothing, with Scotland in mind.
Daniel Parkinson wrote:
I
[quote=Daniel Parkinson]I have talked to one walker who knew nothing of the story but walked past a ‘fisherman’ in a southwester type hat who disappeared, they tried to camp near the cottage but got spooked out and only found out about the story later, but then there are plenty of people who have not experienced anything.[/quote]
You should write this up in more detail Dan. As I remember it was quite a distinctive experience.
Ian Topham wrote:Daniel
[quote=Ian Topham][quote=Daniel Parkinson]I have talked to one walker who knew nothing of the story but walked past a ‘fisherman’ in a southwester type hat who disappeared, they tried to camp near the cottage but got spooked out and only found out about the story later, but then there are plenty of people who have not experienced anything.[/quote]
You should write this up in more detail Dan. As I remember it was quite a distinctive experience.
[/quote]
I will write this up at some point, the couple had no idea about the story they tried to camp by the ruined house and a storm blew up from nowhere, and they both had the overwhelming feeling (he said the hairs were standing up on the back of his neck and he really is a down to earth sort of guy) to leave coupled with the odd experience with the fisherman, as they were stumped as to where he had gone, they said hello to him but he just ignored them and then vanished, it is only a one way track. It was only later on the same trip that they picked up a copy of a guide book that had an entry about the ghosts story that made them think twice. I will see him in July so I will get a bit more info.
Selkies
Have a google of selkie folklore too, I think you will be fascinated.
I’m a storyteller from Scotland, and yellow hair was often an intimation that the sidhe in question wasn’t a seelie sidhe, but an unseelie sidhe. Mermaid or otherwise. Or at least that the tale would end tragically. Same old story, men making fools of themselves over the blonde. LOL.
I’ve found mermaids, selkies, and princesses from the Land-Under-The-Wave came in all shapes and forms. "The wind was in her long dark hair, and the roses were in her cheeks, but a heavy sigh was in her pure white breast". Common desription of water maiden in classical storytelling tradition here, for instance.
Seem to recall that it was
Seem to recall that it was the site of the last reported sighting of a mermaid possibly in the 1950s. Also the old bothy on the beach is haunted.
Yes, Selkies
Your a story teller? That is fascinating. I am very familiar with Selkies, with their classic ‘dark eyes’ and hair. I know it varies from sea maiden to sea maiden, depending on what it is. I know that before the Norse influence, blond hair may not have been all that common, which may have accounted for the Sidhe’s and the mermaids classic blond hair.
Thank you for the info everyone. I’m glad the path is flat, we are going! I’d love to camp there but it just wouldn’t be pratical when we have a perfectly good cottage to return to at home.
As for the ghostly fisherman, that is really interesting. I hear that the Vikings set up camp in Sandwood bay and there are rumoured to be many ship wrecks in the sand!