This Land of Legends

(Journeys around Alba)

If you have ever read any of the old Celtic legends of Erin and Alba, then you will know of the unique atmosphere that springs to mind from these ancient tales. However, for some, reading is not enough. To go and seek out the places where some of the legends took place is sometimes worth several books.

Well, where do you find them? You need look no further than the Isle of Arran, home of the Dalriada Heritage Society, for starters. This beautiful island is said to be where Manannan has one of his fortresses, also Dun Fionn, called after Fionn MacCumhal. In another part of the island is Oisin's mound overlooking the Moyle (Maoile) where it is said he saw his last before he died. It was also on the Moyle where the children of Lir came for the length of three hundred years as part of Aoife's curse upon them.

Moving westwards across the Kilbrannan sound you will find the Mull of Kintyre (Cinn Tir) and it is on Kintyre's northern boundaries we find Dunadd. This was where the old borders of Dalriada met Pictland across the river Add, which still flows to this day. Another intriguing place name close by to Dun Add is the Isle of Dana, named after the Mother Goddess. Across the small sea loch from the Isle of Dana is Keils. Many years ago at Keils, so the story goes, the Sidhe enticed one of the sons of the Gael away on account of his excellent piping and sometimes as dusk falls the skirl of his pipes is heard from the hills of Keils.

Iona, although it is no great size, is one of our islands very much connected with the Tuatha De Danann. Indeed it is from here that the Dagda came by the Great Cauldron. Iona has always been a great spiritual centre in both pagan and much later Christian times, and visitors irrespective of their beliefs come away from Iona feeling different, such is its spirituality.

So far the places mentioned have been fairly difficult to get to, but for anyone who has ever been to Fort William via the Rannoch moor and did not take the time to visit Glen Etive are doing themselves an injustice. For it is in this beautiful glen that Deirdre and the sons of Usnach came to escape Conor Mac Nessa and his red branch warriors. Glen Etive was also lamented for by Deirdre when she left to go back to Ulster and to anyone who has ever been there I think they would agree it is no wonder her heart was broken. Not far from Glen Etive is 'brooding' Glencoe where once again Oisin's name is found. This time it is Oisin's cave, although some say it is a different Oisin from a later age spelt Ossian.

Turning north-west again and beyond Morvern and the Sound of Sleat lies Skye, the land of Shadows. The very shape of the mountains are fierce to the eye and it is easy to see why it is called the Warrior's Isle. Indeed it was on Skye that Cuchulain of Ulster spent a year and a day learning feats of warriorship from Queen Scathach. Cuchulain also met his friend Ferdiad in Skye, tragically the two friends met in mortal combat later in the Ultonian legend. Cuchulain's name still lives on Skye, for it is the ridge known as the Cuillins that bears his name on Scathach's isle to this day.

Finally, I would like to make a mention of Scotland's Western Isles in general, for in them we can see Bride's name, collectively they are known as the Hebrides. Bride as we know is the Goddess of hearth and home and she is also the Goddess of inspiration. So maybe if you take a voyage to one or more of her uniquely different isles you will also gain inspiration without and within.

[(c) Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust]

[Author: Steven Brady DALRIADA MAGAZINE 1987]

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