She told the woman to stick her head in the river for seven seconds, and her beauty would return. The woman obliged, and when she emerged from the water, she was even more beautiful than before. The servant then decided to submerge his own head in the water, and after seven seconds, he too was beautiful. The beautiful woman and her now equally beautiful servant fell in love and lived happily ever after. However, something even more miraculous happened that day. After seeing the effects of the water on the woman and her servant, the horse decided to stick its own head in the river. When it emerged, it was no longer an average horse. It was now a unicorn!
This tradition is a fun way to get your feet wet (literally!) in Scottish mythology. Scotland is known for its folklore, and the Isle of Skye is home to some of the most mysterious and magical stories in the region. Another famous spot in the Isle of Skye is the Old Man of Storr, which is a 160-foot, pointed rock formation. According to legend, the Old Man of Storr was a giant, and when he was buried in his final resting place, his thumb still jutted out of the ground. Traditions provide fun ways to stay connected to these old stories.
River Sligachan is known as the Scottish “Fountain of Youth,” and visitors can join in on the tradition by sticking their own heads in the river. During our visit, the students on my tour group and I all submerged our heads in the ice-cold river. I can’t say if we look any more beautiful, but maybe now we’ll be young forever! Would you dip your face in River Sligachan?
