Kintail is home to the MacReas, MacKenzies, and MacLennans. This mix of clans gives Kintail a rich background. Outside the village stands Eilean Donnan Castle, home to the MacRae. It is the most photographed castle in all of Scotland, with steep walls and a large bridge extending from its mouth, fit for a royal procession.
There are many legends of Kintail. The most well-known is that of the seven sisters. This legend is explained by Alec MacLennan(one of my characters) in the novel excerpt below. Another is that of the Brahan Seer of Kintail. Among other things, he prophisized the loss of Kintail & throne of the powerful MacKenzie clan.
"Ha' ye heard the shtory o' thoshe five mountainsh, Jenny?" Lying on her back and gazing from the clouds to the mountain chain, she shook her head. "Many a year ago there were sheven daughtersh of a chieftain in Kintail. One day, twa of the shishtersh went awalkin' and met up wi' twa brothersh from the east of Shcotland. Sho beautiful were the women that the brothersh wanted them as wivesh, aye? But the lashiesh were reluctant to leave their other five shishters. The brothers inshishted twash no problem as they have five brothersh at home and it was agreed to have them shent to Kintail. Sho, off went the twa shishtersh wi' the twa brothersh. But naught wash e'er heard o' them again, and no men e'er came inquiring to the five shishters as promished. Sho magick was done o'er the poor five, turning them intae the five mosht beautiful mountains o' Schotland, for their beauty to remain presherved fer alwaysh." |