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Folklore Posts by notjamesbond

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The Watchstone (Standing Stone / Menhir)

It was once believed that the Watchstone would come alive at midnight every New Year's Eve and drink from the loch next to which it stands.

This tale of course stems from the time when folk believed that standing stones were petrified giants. I'm not sure how widely believed it is nowadays lol!

Muckle Flugga (Rocky Outcrop)

This is the legend surrounding the beginnings of Out Stack...

Herma and Saxa were giants: they quarrelled as they fell in love with a mermaid singing on the Flugga rock, throwing stones at each other which landed in the sea to become Saxa's Baa. A large one thrown by Saxa became the Out Stack. To be rid of them she agreed to marry whichever would go with her to the North Pole. Both followed and were drowned as they could not swim.

In another version a passing witch settled the dispute by shrouding Saxa in turf to form the hill and turning Herma into a wreath of mist over the ness.

...taken from the Shetland Today website
I enjoy touring and visiting all different parts of the country. Scotland holds special appeal especially the areas of Shetland, Orkney and the Western Isles.

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