Briar Cottage - thatched Cottage, Lochearnhead, A85
Loch Earn and Edinample Castle. from Briar Cottages Loch Earn, nestled in the heart of Central Scotland, is more than just a breathtaking landscape of shimmering waters and towering mountains—it’s a place steeped in folklore, where the whispers of the past still echo through the glens. Stories passed from generation to generation keep the magic alive, weaving tales of faeries, water spirits, and legendary figures into the fabric of these mystical lands.
A Land of Legends
Throughout history, Loch Earn and its surroundings have been home to characters whose stories have transcended time:
- Rob Roy MacGregor—Outlaw or hero? His name remains one of Scotland’s most celebrated, drawing visitors to his resting place in the grounds of Balquhidder Kirk.
- Robert Kirke—A 17th-century reverend who penned The Secret Commonwealth, detailing the realm of faeries. Once read you can decide whether he was of sound mind or not.
- St Fillan—An 8th-century saint whose healing stones and sacred waters were believed to cure the afflicted.
- Fingal the Giant—A figure of Celtic myth, rumored to rest beneath the village of Killin.
- St Blane—A monk who laid a terrible curse upon the lands around Edinample Castle, sealing a grim fate for the MacGregors.
Mystical Creatures & Otherworldly Encounters.
Horse or Water Spirit? Legends tell of Each Uisge, Loch Earn’s mythical water horse. Unlike the infamous kelpie, this shapeshifting entity is said to be even more treacherous—luring the unwary onto its back before becoming adhesive and dragging them to a watery demise, leaving only a floating liver as evidence of the encounter. The shapeshifter can manifest as a donkey or handsome man. If a mysterious stranger catches your eye in these parts, be wary and check for water weeds tangled in his hair.
Ghosts, too, have a strong presence. The specter of an ill-fated architect is said to stalk the rooftops of Edinample Castle, doomed to wander after meeting his end at the hands of the furious Black Duncan (Campbell) of Glenorchy.
Then there are the "faeries", believed to dwell beneath certain earthen mounds and enchanted stones. As recently as 1995, the villagers of St Fillans opposed a housing development that threatened a sacred rock, believed to shelter a fairy colony. Their determination prevailed, and the plans were modified to safeguard the enchanting site. The "chieftain’s mound" near Loch Earn’s games field, is said to be home to the Good Folk. Guid Folk or Wee Folk were Scots terms that people used to refer to fairies in order to show respect and avoid their displeasure. Watch for Gaelic names like Sidh or Sith, signifying places connected with these otherworldly beings. Robert Kirk’s 1691 Secret Commonwealth remains an essential guide to their elusive society.
The Celts held a deep reverence for "thin places"—sacred sites where the boundary between the earthly and spiritual realms was thought to be at its most fragile, offering a profound connection to the divine. Balquhidder is said to be a thin place.
Ghosts, too, have a strong presence. The specter of an ill-fated architect is said to stalk the rooftops of Edinample Castle, doomed to wander after meeting his end at the hands of the furious Black Duncan (Campbell) of Glenorchy.
Then there are the "faeries", believed to dwell beneath certain earthen mounds and enchanted stones. As recently as 1995, the villagers of St Fillans opposed a housing development that threatened a sacred rock, believed to shelter a fairy colony. Their determination prevailed, and the plans were modified to safeguard the enchanting site. The "chieftain’s mound" near Loch Earn’s games field, is said to be home to the Good Folk. Guid Folk or Wee Folk were Scots terms that people used to refer to fairies in order to show respect and avoid their displeasure. Watch for Gaelic names like Sidh or Sith, signifying places connected with these otherworldly beings. Robert Kirk’s 1691 Secret Commonwealth remains an essential guide to their elusive society.
The Celts held a deep reverence for "thin places"—sacred sites where the boundary between the earthly and spiritual realms was thought to be at its most fragile, offering a profound connection to the divine. Balquhidder is said to be a thin place.
Folklore That Shaped Culture
The Stewarts Of Ardvorlich ven everyday customs are rooted in legend. Some say the phrase “giving someone the cold shoulder” originated from Ardvorlich House, home to the Stewarts of Ardvorlich, on the south Loch Earn road. A warm meal and shelter was traditionally offered to weary travellers, but those deemed unwelcome received only cold cuts—a silent rebuke wrapped in politeness. Lady Margaret Stewart of Ardvorlich is said to have offered a group of travelling MacGregors hospitality, unaware that they had just killed her brother, John Drummond. As per the website of The Stewarts Of Ardvorlich "While Margaret was out of the room the MacGregors took the severed head of her brother and placed it on the dining table. They then proceeded to stuff her brother’s mouth with the bread and cheese she had brought them." The shocking revelation left her so distraught that she fled into the hills near Loch Earn, where she later gave birth to James Stewart, who became known as "The Mad Major."
Stories of enchanted relics also abound. The Clach Dhearg of Ardvorlich is a crystal ball mounted in silver - in spite of translating as "red ochre". Said to hold healing powers; it was once used to cure sick cattle through ritual and Gaelic incantations. It was said to have been brought back from the Crusades in the 14th Century.
Stories of enchanted relics also abound. The Clach Dhearg of Ardvorlich is a crystal ball mounted in silver - in spite of translating as "red ochre". Said to hold healing powers; it was once used to cure sick cattle through ritual and Gaelic incantations. It was said to have been brought back from the Crusades in the 14th Century.
Ethereal sunrise, Loch Earn
Endless Stories Await
Loch Earn’s folklore stretches far beyond what can be told in mere words. From the Lady of Lawers’ prophecies to the revenge of the McNabs, from Pictish ruins to sacred stones—there’s no shortage of mysteries to explore.
To truly experience the spirit of Loch Earn, one must stand upon its shores, listen to the wind, and let the legends reveal themselves.
Come, step into a world where history and myth walk hand in hand—you may even leave with a story of your own.
Kim Proven
Briar Cottages
Lochearnhead on Loch Earn
www.stayatbriar.co.uk
Loch Earn’s folklore stretches far beyond what can be told in mere words. From the Lady of Lawers’ prophecies to the revenge of the McNabs, from Pictish ruins to sacred stones—there’s no shortage of mysteries to explore.
To truly experience the spirit of Loch Earn, one must stand upon its shores, listen to the wind, and let the legends reveal themselves.
Come, step into a world where history and myth walk hand in hand—you may even leave with a story of your own.
Kim Proven
Briar Cottages
Lochearnhead on Loch Earn
www.stayatbriar.co.uk
Old Postcards of Briar Cottages Lochearnhead.
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