Follow me north and west in Scotland, through the Cairngorms and past Ben Nevis, and we will pass through Glen Shiel and onwards into the Land of the Three Sea Lochs. This is a boarder land which has been deeply contested for atleast the last 1,600 years. Watched over by the magestic Five Sisters of Kintail, the very earth here is steeped in myths, legends and history which swirl mist like with their echoes and whispers. The tales of this land have been woven from the clash and merge of atleast four cultures, each one rich and ancient in its own right. Within Glen Sheil the last battle fought on British mainland soil was settled, and the merger of the Scottish and English crowns was sealed for good. The mountains and rocks rang to guns, cannons and the cries of wounded and dying men, and their blood seeped into the heather clad soil. Spanish, Gaelic, lowland Scots and Angles and English soldiers clashed in the final climax of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s fight to claim his throne. The world shifted forever as a result of what happened in this seemingly remote Highland Glen in 1719.
Away in the distance at the head of the salty waters of Loch Duich you can see the blue-black silhouettes of the beautiful five sisters of Kintail. There are a few different legends swirling around their slopes, and my favourite involves the deep spells of the Grey Magician of Coire Dhunnid, who promised their aging father the King of Kintail, to preserve the beauty of the 5 sisters forever. These mountainous maidens have been waiting for thousands of years for their princely lovers to return and sweep them away into marital bliss. Being cast of stone their beauty is now eternal, they are immortal and blessed with marvelous gifts for all humanity. Like the Tibetan 5 sisters of Longevity, these mountain goddesses each bear gifts for humanity. Running from Loch Duich back inland towards Clunie, the first sister Sgurr na Moraich is the smallest at just 876 meters, and her name means the Peak of the Sea Plain. A grain and milk goddess she watches over the grazing animals and crops in the fields at her feet. Sgurr nan Saighead (929), the Peak of Arrows, is more of an Amazon warrior, sitting fiercely behind her sister and guarding the pass as it flows through to the sea loch of Loch Duich, and onwards towards Loch Long, Loch Alsh and the Isle of Skye. The central tallest sister is the sacred peak of wells and springs, Sgurr Fhuaron (1067), often veiled in clouds and familiar to the Culdee St Oran, she promises healing and divination. Sgurr na Carnach (1002), the Peak of Cairns or stones, holds ancestral memories, and finally Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe (1027) lying deep into Glen Shiel, the Peak of the Black Chest is the most dangerous, holding the secrets of life and death. Tread carefully if you climb their sides. 
These images are taken from in Iron Age hill fort which lies beside the old high road out of Kintail. Looking eastwards along Loch Duish towards the 5 sisters and the pass of Glen Shiel, this has at times been the edge of the sea kingdom of Kintail, of Lochalsh, part of the kingship of the Lord of the Isles and the old clan lands of the MacKenzies. A wild place full of fierce warriors and strong maidens.
(Sgurr is pronounced Skoor, and is applied to jagged steep peaks. It’s Gaelic roots are though to lie in the Norse word sguvr, which means cliff)
(Shiel is thought to be a Pictish word for flowing fresh water)
breathofgreenair 
Love your posts so much. I’m back after a long break from w/press.
Great to see you back Paul, and delighted you enjoyed the post…those mountain sisters are quite enchanting✨😊✨
What a fantastic landscape! great pictures!
Many thanks….it’s a land of wild beauty✨😊
Entrancing tales of an enchanted place. It is that ageless sense of a hidden fury that is so inspirational about Scotland’s north-west. In winter, of course, the fury is more evident…
Indeed, and I love the way the moods shift and change with the weather….closing in below the storm clouds and then opening up into the clear blue sky💕😊
Sounds like a fairy tale, the five slumbering sisters, dreaming granite dreams.
I’d love to read it as a fairytale of your weaving Brenda💕It’s a tale that’s been told many times and in many ways….each one enchanting in its own way😊
So many wonderful stories are woven into the fabric of Scotland.
Wow, what a story behind this breathtaking mountains! Great post, Seonaid! 🙂
Delighted you enjoyed the stories Amy….I just love the old tales of a land….it adds something extra to the feeling of being there😊💕
I tumbled down the mountainside into your lovely prose, Seonaid. What a treat! It’s set out so beautifully. 🙂
Well it’s lovely to have you tumble down beside me Jo 😆It’s a rather lovely landscape….did you spot the little houses with red roofs in the second image? 💞
Yes! Gorgeous 🙂 🙂
What gorgeous scenery! (My mum is Scottish – from Glasgow…)
Well that explains everything😆I always felt a kindred connection Fi…..my Mum was also Glasgow born!💕
So much history and beauty! Thank you for sharing this.
My pleasure….those layers of history just have a way of seeping under my skin💕😊
So much history here – I shudder to think of the many people who were forced to march into this remote area to fight some king’s or lord’s greedy vision, not to mention the ones who lost their lives. And what beautiful mountain landscapes!
It’s always amazing and sad to think about what drove men towards their deaths in the name of one King or another…..one religion or another….but at least this battle settled something forever😊 An ending which had meaning….and I always feel so much more for the truly in these battles, like the Spanish….but some were just wounded and then healed and then went on to marry local girls💕😆
Love the names … I wish I could hear you pronounce each and every one. Beautiful scenery. D
Well there’s a thought David….a voice over😊💕…or I could post pronunciation hints and tips😜
I’ll be first in line to listen to the voice over. Written hints and tips just wouldn’t be the same.
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Thanks for the reblog Sue💕
Such evocative writing which although some distance away, takes me back to my beloved Summer Isles. xx
Thanks Rachael….I think all these western isles and sea loch shave a familiar feel….and Ireland too always looks so familiar to me😊💕
Beautiful images of a very special place, Seonaid
You would find it quite inspiring…I’m certain😆💕
Beautiful post, Seonaid, both in words and images. I sometimes wish I could step into your images so I could visit these magical places. 🙂
Robin, that’s the perfect comment….thank you💕😊
Fascinating writing Seonaid and that road in the last photo must be quite a drive!
The road below which you can see is stunning, but the old road up on the hill, from where I took these shots, is incredible, and wild boar and feral goats are a common road hazard! Just a little further west where the old road dips down and joins the new coastal road you find Eilean Donnan castle….it’s a very majestic part of the world Gilly, and I think you would feel quite at home😊
Both my grandmothers had Scottish blood in them and I’m part Welsh… along with German and Irish. Some how your story and history feels like what I am experiencing in my own life. Scotland survived all the skirmishes and is even more beautiful for what it experienced. I suspect, the people are stronger too. I so LOVE the beauty of the land that you and your camera have captured, but I think you have shown the strength of character that exists in Scotland too. It is a much needed story for me right now. Thank you! My ancestors Thank You too! 😉 I do need to open up my map to determine where all of this is compared to where my family live in Wales. You have a beautiful mindset… your clients are lucky! Hugs!!
Gwynn, I just knew you must have Scottish or at least a drop or two of Celtic blood 😊Strength of character and an ability to make the best of what life throws our way…..and of course the solid and enduring strength and presence of the mountains. It all helps to anchor and steady us in our ever shifting lives💕 hang on in there lovely….you’re doing an amazing job of healing yourself😊💞
Thank you… you ARE a dear!! Now, I should go find my Welsh dictionaries to see if I can reply to you, but then neither of us would be able to read or understand what I said! 😉
Lol! But isn’t language fun😊💕
Great pictures as always and interesting background to a lovely area . I did some walking in that area many years ago , but did not know about the mystical qualities , or legend. 🙂
Well if you walk here again you can look at the landscape through an extra layer of magic and myth😊💕
Beautiful photography, Seonaid. What interesting folklore is woven around these towering rocks and peaceful lochs. 🙂
They are five rather lovely ladies💕😊
These are some absolutely GORGEOUS shots, Seonaid. Why the Scottish Tourist Board aren’t hiring you is one of life’s great mysteries. xxx
Kellie you’ve got me smiling with that thought😆 At the moment I’m down in deepest England so dreaming of the Highlands and their drama…..💕
Magnificent work, Seonaid! ❤
Many thanks Dina….I think the fairies would like it up here💕✨
I have been to Scotland 4 times now touring various places and its magical beauty is always breathtaking.. You have captured that magic within your pictures and words.. Thank you
My pleasure Sue, it’s always lovely to meet people who enjoy this dramatic land😊
Its beautiful 🙂
Tough landscapes holding memory and myth as it should be. Very nice piece.
Delighted you enjoyed the visit John😊
Such a rich heritage combined with a beautiful landscape you’ve captured.
I love the layers of stories in these ancient landscapes💕
This is such beautiful writing and you bring the history and legends to life. Combined with your stunning photos it makes me want to pack in work, sell the house and move to Scotland. Wonderful stuff 🙂
Many thanks for such a wonderful comment, I’m sure you would love it up here….and the photography is fabulous 🙂
I was around that area many years ago on a stop over to Skye – it is just such an incredible place…I really must visit again soon 🙂
I’m convinced, I’m coming too! This beauty is unbelievable, right down gorgeous!
Each day it shows something different, and the tales of the earth are always so enchanting💕😊
Great post
Many thanks, it’s a wonderful area to visit 🙂
From the post, it really looks like it. 🙂 i will put on my list
Check out my blog when you get the chance 🙂