In 2024, I was fortunate enough to spend two weeks touring through Scotland.  During our tours, we spend time traveling across the Isle of Skye, home of some of the ancient clans as well as great deal of folklore.

One site we visited was the Old Sligachan Bridge, built between 1810 and 1818 by Thomas Telford.  The waters that run beneath the bridge are the subject of much old Scottish folklore and are said to carry enchantments.

Many years ago, on the Isle of Skye, there lived the greatest warrior woman of Scotland, Scáthach. Word of her greatness spread everywhere and it soon reached the ears of the greatest warrior of Ireland, Cúchulainn. A renowned warrior himself, Cúchulainn knew that he must go and fight this warrior woman of Scotland to prove that he is better. So he set sail for the Isle of Skye.

Arriving on Skye, Cúchulainn came across a protogé of Scáthach and demanded that her mistress should come and face him. Scáthach came to meet him to battle and each hoping to prove themselves over the other.   Their battle raged across the whole valley, shaking the earth, creating the valleys and mountains of Skye. Animals fled before them.  As they battled Scáthachs daughter ran down to the river and cried, as she was terrified as she could not see how her mother could possibly win.

Scottish myth claims that water allows a gateway between the faerie world and our world. The faeries heard the cries of Scáthachs daughter, came to her and  told her to wash her face in the water of the river. She obeyed and washed her face in the waters.  Once she had done this, she was filled with the knowledge of how to stop the battle.

She ran back home to the lodge where her mother lived, gathering herbs and nuts along the way.  Arriving at the lodge, she threw the nuts and herbs in onto the fire and fanned the smoke into the valley. Upon smelling the scent both warriors realised just how tired and hungry they were from the fighting. So they decided to stop for a bit, they laid down their weapons and headed to the lodge.

Arriving at the lodge they were greeted by Scáthachs daughter. She had prepared a meal worthy of the two mighty warriors. As Cúchulainn ate under the roof of Scáthach, this meant that he became her guest, meaning they could do each other no harm.

The legend of Sligachan states that if you dip your face in the river water by the Sligachan Bridge, you will be granted eternal beauty.

After getting to the river bank by the Sligachan bridge, washing your face is not a simple as it sounds. You must dip your face in the water, not bring the water up to your face. To do this you must get on your hands and knees at the water’s edge and fully submerge your face for seven seconds.  Once you've dipped your face, you can not wipe the water off.  You must instead allow your face to dry naturally.