Curses & omens

The Eagle Stone and the Ships of Strathpeffer

Also known as: Clach an Tiompain

Eagle Stone (Clach an Tiompain), Strathpeffer

Prophecy attributed to the 17th century

Mackenzie's collection discusses the prophecy at length. He suggests several ways it might come true: a canal through the valley, removal of the stone to Dingwall pier, or flooding from Fingal's Well on Knockfarrel. The well stone is said to have fallen twice already and been propped up near the doctor's house, and a third fall would send Loch Ussie over its banks and flood the valley, so that ships could reach Strathpeffer. From the summit of Knockfarrel, the valley floor looks lower than the Cromarty Firth.

One popular modern telling says that when the stone fell the second time, the Firth flooded Dingwall. I have only seen that in recent tourist writing, not in Mackenzie.

The stone is beside a public path on the edge of the village.
Evidence
Long-standing local tradition
Access
Open ground
Location
57.591, -4.536 (Sited to the building or field)

Sources: Alexander Mackenzie, The Prophecies of the Brahan Seer (1877), Project Gutenberg [public-domain]; Wikipedia, Clach an Tiompain [other]; Scotlandguides, The Eagle Stone (Clach an Tiompain), Strathpeffer [other]

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