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Fairy Pools
May Days
May 16
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
"One-eyed woman on a one-eyed horse
Lead by a one-eyed man
On they went to Castle MacLeod
To do the best they can"
~ Matt McGinn
Take a journey through the swirling rhythms of dance via this three couple strathspey to Minginish, a breathtaking region on the western side of the Isle of Skye. Known for its rugged beauty, Minginish is home to dramatic coastlines, charming villages, and the towering Cuillin mountain range, all steeped in a rich—and at times, bloody—clan legacy.
Among its many natural wonders are the famous Fairy Pools, a series of crystal-clear blue pools on the Allt Coire a' Mhadaidh ("Burn of the Dog"), nestled on the northern slopes of the Black Cuillin. These shimmering waters flow down from Coire na Creiche into Glen Brittle, eventually becoming the River Brittle. But this enchanting glen also carries a darker tale: in 1601, it was the site of the last of Scotland’s clan battles—and one of the bloodiest ever recorded. Here, the MacDonalds of Sleat and the MacLeods of Dunvegan clashed in the final chapter of the long and brutal feud known as the "Wars of the One-Eyed Woman," a conflict ignited by a disastrous marriage alliance.
Today, visitors may come for the serene beauty and the whisky from Talisker Distillery, but the land still whispers stories of faeries, fierce loyalties, and Highland pride. 💙 💙 💙 🧚♀️ 🌊 🥃
May in Minginish
The Battle of Coire na Creiche, which marked the culmination of the "War of the One-Eyed Woman," took place in the summer of 1601. This battle was the final significant conflict between Clan MacDonald and Clan MacLeod on the Isle of Skye.
"Coire na Creiche" is a Scottish Gaelic term that translates to "Corrie of the Foray" or "Corrie of the Spoils." In this context, "coire" refers to a corrie or a hollow in the mountains, and "creich" translates to foray, plunder, or spoils. This name is fitting for the location of the battle due to its historical use as a hideaway for stolen cattle during raids!
The "War of the One-Eyed Woman" was a conflict between Clan MacDonald of Sleat and Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan that took place around 1601. The war was sparked by an incident involving Margaret, the daughter of Rory Mor MacLeod, who married Donald Gorm Mor MacDonald as part of a peace agreement between the rival clans.
In Highland tradition, their marriage had a trial period of one year, known as "handfasting." During this period, Margaret lost an eye. When the trial year ended, Donald Gorm Mor MacDonald sent her back to her family, accompanied by a one-eyed man, a one-eyed horse, and a one-eyed dog, which was considered a grave insult by the MacLeods. This led to a violent response from Rory Mor MacLeod, culminating in the Battle of Coire na Creiche, also known as the Battle of Benquhillan, in 1601. This battle marked the last significant clan conflict on the Isle of Skye
For more on this legend and battle, click the picture of the area of the battleground.
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!
