The Story of The Enchanted Waters of Sligachan

Rabbie
Posted on 24 May 2018

Believing a tale is one thing, but it's another to take it up on its offer of providing eternal beauty. Well, that’s of course if you want to place your face in the cooling stream in Sligachan, Scotland. And who wouldn’t? But before we get ahead of ourselves, if you haven’t heard of the enchanting waters before, it's time for a story as we reminisce as to how this location found its fame.

Coming up in this article:

• What’s the Enchanting Waters of Sligachan? 
• The Tale of The Enchanting Waters of Sligachan 
• How to Gain Eternal Beauty from the Waters 

What’s the Enchanting Waters of Sligachan?

There’s a little bridge in Sligachan on the Isle of Skye.

A small stream runs below it, and you can look up to a mighty mountain.

Many travellers would never think to stop there to have a look around. It’s just another beautiful stream in the Scottish Highlands.

But that’s because they don’t know this water has the magical power to grant you eternal beauty.

No really, it does.

We've splashed about here thousand times and we're stunningly beautiful. Or at least that’s what our mums tell us.

Anyway, the way this stream became magical is one of our favourite myths on the Isle of Skye.

The Tale of The Enchanting Waters of Sligachan 

Ask anyone who tours this part of Scotland, and they’re sure to tell you the story of the enchanted waters. It's legendary after all, but how did it all start? Are you sitting comfortably? Good, let's begin.

A Famous Warrior

So, the story begins with Scotland’s warrior woman, Scáthach. She lived on Skye, and news was travelling around the world that she was the greatest fighter in all of Scotland.

But this news travelled to the wrong people. Cú Chulainn, Ireland’s favourite warrior, had found out. He wasn't a bad guy, he was just very competitive. He had to know if he could defeat her in battle, so he jumped across the ocean to Skye and challenged her.

But Scáthach was no coward. Even though Cú Chulainn had the strength of Hercules and was half-god, she accepted the challenge. She even believed she could win.

This fight would be bigger than Muhammad Ali versus Bruce Lee, bigger than Terminator versus Predator, it would be the largest fight this land had ever known.

The battle raged for weeks. Valleys were moved, mountains shaken, and all the animals had fled the Isle of Skye.

But Scáthach’s daughter couldn’t take it anymore. She was upset beyond belief and ran down to the stream to cry.

She shouted, “please, somebody stop this fighting, I can’t stand it anymore,”.

And she was in luck.

A Delicious Resolution

The fairies of the river had heard her. They beckoned her to dunk her face in the stream to discover how she could stop this terrifying battle.

She did as they asked, and the fairies blessed her with the knowledge of what to do.

Her legs pattered across the land as she ran around Skye finding herbs, meats, nuts, and every delicious thing that this small island produced. She then brought them home and stewed up the most delicious broth you could imagine.

The smells of this meal were incredible. The scents travelled far and were so delicious they could make you hungry again after a ten-course Michelin-starred feast.

The fighting warriors smelt it and couldn't fight on. Their saliva glands were gushing faster than the Niagara Falls. So, they agreed to take a break to enjoy a feast.

Scáthach and Cú Chulainn arrived at the house and scoffed up the food like they hadn’t eaten a meal in their entire lives.

The feast marked the end of the battle. By eating in the home of Scáthach, Cú Chulainn had become a guest. Cú Chulainn was no animal; he had been raised with good manners and knew the rules of Celtic hospitality: you can't fight someone who has hosted you...ever.

So, there the battle ended.

A Portal to the Fairies

But the fairies of the river had been disturbed by this battle forever. So, by dunking your face in it you transport a part of yourself into the underworld and attain eternal beauty.

How to Gain Eternal Beauty from the Waters

Firstly, to gain eternal beauty from the waters of Sligachan, don’t be a coward. Get on your knees and dunk your entire head in the stream.

And secondly, don’t dry your face. Let it dry naturally, so you absorb all of the fairy goodness.

And that’s it! The big feisty story of one of the smallest little streams in Skye.

But don’t worry if you missed it, we think you’re all eternally beautiful anyway.

Radiating Scotland’s Beauty with Rabbie’s 

We think you’re beautiful, but we know for the curious among us, you want to test the waters for yourself to see if the rumours are true. Spoiler: they are. So, hop on board a small-group tour and let us showcase the other beauty spots Scotland has to offer and believe us there is more than a day's worth to uncover. Time to pack your bags, and let our driver-guides lead the way, because this is a trip you’ll remember for many years.  

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