Standing Stone (destroyed): OS Grid Reference – NG 520 144
Folklore
This once-famous standing stone appears to have gone. It was described in Otta Swire’s (1961) superb book on the folklore of Skye, where she wrote:
“Overlooking Elgol is Bidein an Fhithich. Near here once stood the famous Raven’s Stone, about which the Brahn Seer prophesied. It is believed that this prophecy, however, can never be fulfilled, as seventy or eighty years ago the stone was broken up and the main portion of it is now incorporated in one wall of the Glendale church, according to the Rev. A. R. Forbes’ Place Names of Skye. The stone was believed to have had some connexion with old pagan religious ceremonies.”
The Brahn Seer (more commonly known as the Brahan Seer) was Coinneach Odhar, a 16th century prophet who is said to have foretold the Battle of Culloden and other events.
References:
- Swire, Otta F., Skye: The Island and its Legends, Blackie & Sons: Glasgow 1961.
© Paul Bennett, The Northern Antiquarian
