ScotClans | Scottish Clans » Applecross

The Annat Skull

Amanda Moffet — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:04:53 +0000

The Annat Skull

There’s a superstition in Applecross/Torridon area of Scotland that relates to the Annat skull in which water sipped from the skull of a female suicide is a supposed cure for epilepsy. The poor woman (C. M. Robertson) is thought to have been the daughter in law of the Garve Wizzard who is said to have lured passersby to their death in the Black Water river in order that he might steal their possessions. The skull became a controversial subject in 1900 when it was alleged to still be in use in Torridon. The Rev. Duncan Dewar, a minister of 24 years standing, felt compelled to respond publicaly that ‘no such’ skull ever existed in the parish of Applecross’. Dewar may be correct in limiting his observation to his own parish but Rev. Kenneth MacDonald, of the Free Church around the same time, attests to it’s use in Torridon.

Adapted from “Applecross and it’s Hinterland – A Historical Miscellany” by Iain MacLennan

The post The Annat Skull appeared first on ScotClans | Scottish Clans.

Eagles Rock at Applecross

Amanda Moffet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:04:39 +0000

There is an old tale in Applecross of how The Eagle Rock got it’s name. Legend has it a long long time ago the people of Applecross were harvesting oats. A young baby slept in it’s crib as it’s parents helped with the harvest. From the air a great eagle swooped down and picked up the baby and it’s crib in it’s massive talons. The villagers gave chase, desperate to save the baby. But alas the eagle dropped it’s precious load, the baby landed on a rock, which we now know as Eagle’s Rock.

The post Eagles Rock at Applecross appeared first on ScotClans | Scottish Clans.

The Witch of Applecross

Amanda Moffet — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:56:37 +0000

There is a legend in Applecross of a witch who lived beside the river Allt Mor. This river is around 3.5 miles from the church at Applecross. It’s name Allt Mor means something like river of the dead and was so called because people would stop beside it on their way to attending a funeral. They’d take a drink from it’s cool waters and rest a while on it’s banks.

But the witch of Applecross had other plans and would make effergies of these people, cursing them. She placed the effegies in the water and as they eroded away so did the cursed people, untill nothing was left and the person was dead.

The post The Witch of Applecross appeared first on ScotClans | Scottish Clans.