The Isle of Mull, a picturesque island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is steeped in mystery, supernatural tales and centuries-old folklore.
The Isle of Mull, a picturesque island in Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is a place full of mystery and supernatural tales.
While today it’s a popular spot for tourists, Mull has a much darker past filled with witches, ghosts and eerie legends that still capture the imagination.
Let’s dive into some of the spookiest stories from this enchanted island!
Witches of Mull
Mull wasn’t just home to a few witches – it had an entire race of them! These witches weren’t hidden away or feared like in other places. Instead, they were powerful women who were respected and consulted by clan leaders.
One of the most famous witches was the Dòideag. In 1588, when a Spanish galleon from the Armada docked in Tobermory Harbour, it brought with it a Spanish princess. She believed her destiny lay on the island and was searching for a man she had dreamt of loving.
Unfortunately for her, the man she fell for was already married. His wife wasn’t happy and turned to the Dòideag for help. The witch used her magic to set the ship on fire, sinking it in the harbour. To this day, the ship and its treasure lie at the bottom of Tobermory Bay, still untouched.
Duart Castle and the Ghostly Rider
On the rocky cliffs of Mull is Duart Castle, the ancient seat of the Clan Maclean. It has seen its fair share of battles, betrayal, and bloodshed.
One of the eeriest tales involves Ewen, the son of a Maclean clan chief. After challenging his father to a duel, Ewen was fatally wounded. His terrified horse, with Ewen’s lifeless body still in the saddle, ran all the way to Glen More.
Legend has it that if you visit the glen, you might still hear the ghostly sound of hooves, though no rider will appear.
Fairies, Curses, and Ghostly Sounds
Mull’s folklore doesn’t stop at witches and ghosts – fairies also have a place in the island’s stories. Pennygown Chapel, near the village of Salen, is a ruined church with no roof.
According to legend, the fairies that lived nearby would do small favours for the locals, but when one fisherman tried to exploit them, the fairies were outraged and abandoned the place forever.
There’s also MacKinnon’s Cave, the deepest in the Hebrides, where people feared to enter due to the presence of fairies. Once, a brave piper tried to play his way through the cave to impress the fairies, but he collapsed just before reaching the exit. His dog escaped, but terrified and completely hairless!
The Tragic and the Strange
Mull has no shortage of tragic and bizarre stories. In Gribun, there’s a place called Tragedy Rock, where a young couple was killed on their wedding night when a storm dislodged a massive boulder from the cliffs above.
Then there’s the tale of Lachlan Maclean, who attempted to have his wife Catherine drowned after she tried to poison him. She was left stranded on a rock in the Sound of Mull, but was rescued at the last minute by a passing boat.
At Treshnish Point, islanders used to pour porridge into the sea as an offering to the sea gods, hoping to keep the beaches full of seaweed and the waters rich with fish.
Loch Ba and the Winter Witch
If witches and ghostly riders weren’t enough, Mull has its own story of a winter witch called Cailleach Bheur. Every one hundred years, she would bathe in the icy waters of Loch Ba to renew her youth.
However, one day she overslept, and by the time she reached the loch, a dog spotted her and barked. The sound broke her spell, and she crumbled to dust right then and there. And with that, one of Scotland’s most powerful witches disappeared forever.
Mull’s Mystical Legacy
Mull is a place where every hill and loch seems to have its own supernatural tale. Whether it’s witches, fairies, or tragic lovers, the island’s folklore is alive and well.
Even after you leave Mull, catching the ferry back to the mainland, you’ll be left wondering—what mystical stories will we pass down to future generations? Or have we, like the winter witch, let our belief in the magic of the world crumble away?
What did you think of this article about the Isle of Mull? Have you experienced the island’s supernatural side? Tell us about it in the comments section!
