Dougie MacDougall - The Jura Witch

The story of the witch of Jura is preserved in a place named Scriob-na-Caillich'e the slide of the old woman, on the north west slopes of Beinn-an-oir (the mountain of gold), a reference to the setting sun.

The old witch had MacPhee from the island of Colonsay, in her magical power. Whenever he tried to escape, she would throw a magical ball of thread into his boat and bring it back to land. At last, he discovered that there was a magical hatchet which could cut the thread. One day MacPhee stole the magic axe and made his escape at dawn. By the time the witch missed him, he was making for Colonsay. She rushed to the summit of Beinn-an-oir, spotted him and threw the magic ball of thread into his boat, but he cut the thread with the axe and continued on his way. Three times she tried to bring him back, without success, until in desperation she flung herself down the mountainside, leaving behind her the deep scrape marks and loose stones of Scriob-na-Caillich'e, seen to this day on the hillside.

Incidentally, when she slid to stop, there was an egg-shaped boulder across her legs which she threw with terrific force after MacPhee, but missed him. The boulder is still stuck to rock on the shore below Adnahoe Farm on Islay. She must have been a very strong woman, for it weighs at least one hundredweight, if not more. The name of the stone is called 'Cailleach' (The Old Woman).

Tag: dougie macdougall tales jura