Skye and MacLeod's Maidens

As I approached Idrigill Point , I looked back along the full length of the cliffs towards Harlosh and the safe landing places almost four miles away. I felt vulnerable and exposed knowing I was the only boat for miles around.

The boat rocked from side to side in the gentle swell as I checked my mobile phone. As I expected, there was no signal. I carry a couple of hand flairs in the boat but wondered if anyone would see them if I needed them. Soon I would be on the seaward side of the huge cliffs that would hide me from mainland view.

I thought of the Fourth Chief of MacLeod’s wife and two daughters who are said to have drowned near here in a ship wreck around the 14th century.



The sea stack on the very tip of Idrigill point also looked like the bust of a rock musician to me and I heard it whisper softly ....

“Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward! the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that's born to be King
Over the sea to Skye.

Loud the winds howl, loud the waves roar,
Thunderclaps rend the air;
Baffled, our foes stand by the shore,
Follow they will not dare.

Though the waves leap, soft shall ye sleep,
Ocean's a royal bed.
Rocked in the deep, Flora will keep
Watch by your weary head.”



I was now in the open Sea of the Hebrides and there was still no sign of the fair maiden’s that I was longing to see. There was another point to round.



I was leaving Idrigill point behind. Still the sea slumbered, only its swell rose and fell, gently rocking my little boat like a mother rocks a cradle. I hoped the maidens were not mermaids calling on me.



As I passed the weather beaten cliffs I saw they were riddled with holes and covered by strange rock formations.



Then at last, as I rounded a headland, I caught sight of the first of the daughter maidens. I felt like I did a couple of weeks ago when I first saw the summit of Ben Lui coming within my reach.



Then the view was filled with the sight of MacLeod’s Maidens. It was a magnificent moment for me and I felt I was on top of the world. It felt as good as reaching any mountain summit. The Mother maiden stood 200ft tall and her two daughters played in the swell at her feet.



I admired them for a few moments then turned the boat and ran as fast as my little outboard could carry me. I didn’t want to linger too long least the maiden’s broke wind and the waves start to rise. I felt lucky and honored to have been in their presence but didn’t want to over stay my welcome..I still had five miles of coast to cross before I could feel safe....

Skye and the lead up to Idrigill Point

To my delight and relief the sea remained sleeping as I approached the natural arch shown on the O.S. maps. I had missed seeing it on my cliff walk several years before but now it was directly in front and at sea level. It didn’t disappoint as its the largest I have seen yet :-D



If the tide had been in I would have tried getting the boat through its archway but sadly, with the tide out, it was full of rocks.



As I continued past the natural arch I couldn’t help but think of the second L.P. record I ever bought as a kid. It was Deep Purple in Rock and the cover depicted a cliff with the bands heads carved in the rock, emulating the Presidents of America at Mount Rushmore. On the cliffs around the arch I could see many fallen hero’s of my distant past looking out to sea.



Looking back, the sound of the swell rolling gently in the rocks and amplified by the acoustics of the arch sounded like the quiet but firm blues organ instrumental starting the track “Sweet Child in Time”



A quick check across the full width of Loch Bracadale towards Harloch Island and Tarner Island showed the sea was still sleeping.



This calmed my own thoughts as I now set my sights on Idrigill point, which is the entrance to Loch Bracadale. I knew the Maiden’s lay some distance beyond the point and in the open and exposed Sea of the Hebrides. I heard the pace of “Sweet Child in Time” start to quicken and move towards a crescendo as I neared the point .......



"And if you have been bad ....
Oh Lord I bet you have ....
You Better Close your eyes
And bow your head ...
And wait for the ricochet ...

Ohhhhh...ohhhhh.... "