Sligachan River, United Kingdom: Off The Beaten Path
On Scotland’s Isle of Skye, a land of myths and legends, it’s no surprise that even an unassuming body of water such as the Sligachan River has a tale of its own. Most often identified by its stone bridge that from a picture looks like it could be from almost anywhere in this mountainous stretch of the United Kingdom, the waters that run beneath it are said to have magical properties.
The legend begins with Scotland’s greatest fighter, the warrior woman Scáthach. When the Irish warrior Cú Chulainn heard of her might, he set out to challenge her in battle. Scáthach accepted the challenge, even knowing she would be facing some who was half god. This battle raged on for weeks, shifting and changing the landscape in its wake, until Scáthach’s daughter couldn’t take it anymore. Uathach ran to the river and wept in distress.
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Faeries heard her cries and appeared, advising her to wash her face in river to be bestowed the knowledge of how to stop the battle. Uathach did as they said and what she needed to do immediately dawned on her. She rushed back to her home and prepared a delicious meal, making sure the scent of it could reach Scáthach and Cú Chulainn. Once the warriors could smell the meal, they realized how hungry they were and agreed to take a break to eat. It wasn’t until after they devoured the meal that they realized that by eating in her home, Cú Chulainn had become Scáthach’s guest. And both their rules of hospitality forbade them from fighting with a guest.
Even though Uathach gained knowledge from the Sligachan River, it’s now said to grant eternal beauty, which opens up a variety of interpretations of “beauty”. Whatever the interpretation, one is granted this gift by submerging their face in river for seven seconds. You must put your face in the river itself, not bring the water up to you. And you can’t wipe up the water after, you have to let it dry naturally. Though the waters of the Scottish Highlands are far from warm at any time of year, it seems like a small price to pay for eternal beauty.
Featured image: © Inigocia | Dreamstime