The best known accounts are those of Walter Traill Dennison, who published them in the 1800s. The Finfolk are not friendly like the selkies. The Finman is described as tall and thin with a stern, gloomy face, hostile to fishermen, and able to make phantom boats and cross from Norway to Orkney in seven strokes of the oar. A Christian cross drawn on a boat is said to turn him away.
The Finwife is a mermaid who tries to win a mortal husband. If she fails she must marry a Finman and loses her beauty, ageing in stages of seven years.
Finfolkaheem is a palace of crystal halls and seaweed gardens, lit by glowing sea creatures. The Finfolk also keep Hildaland, a hidden isle, which many link to Eynhallow. They are said to kidnap people by disguising themselves as sea animals or floating objects.
There is no single place for this record. The pin is a general point in Orkney.
Comments