Stone figurines

I start with books.  Chosen for their Celtic stories, Miranda Green and Anne Ross for introducing me to the wonderful world of gods and goddesses.  Ronald Hutton for explaining the history of the 'Druids' to me.  'Celtic Mythology' written by an Irish writer, whose name is impossible to spell but whose books hold the most glorious spooky black and white photos.  There is Barry Cunliffe's The Ancient Celts.  And if by accident Leslie Webster's Anglo-Saxon Art has found its way in.  If you want Saxon gold bling then read that and be inspired.

There are tales, myths, stories, call them what you like but they represent a rich heritage of history and tradition. Why have I chosen these though? Well it was Jennie yesterday messaging me about an exciting find up in the Scottish Isles. A series of oddly shaped stones round a hearth.  They reminded me of something, the Cailleach, or the old hag that haunts the mountains of Scotland, you can read her in the landscape.  She belongs to a trio of females, the old woman, the mother and the daughter.  In Irish mythology she is represented by the wicked Morrigans.

So what did she remind of, the memory whirred round for an hour or two then came up with the little shrine in Glen Lyon.  This little family of stones represents a story, and over time when winter approaches the stones will be put in the little turfed roof house and then brought out in spring.  According to Anne Ross it was a shepherd who did it in her time, but now others do it.  You can read the story here

The largest represents the Cailleach (old woman), accompanied by the Bodach (old man) and their daughter, Nighean.  

Glen Lyon is a long valley and requires some hours of walking to get there, the story is probably early medieval, but has a wonderful resonance when you arrive.