Corrag

Corrag is said to have foretold of the Massacre of Glencoe. When she found that her warnings had been ignored and the clan murdered, she threw Chief MacIain’s broadsword into Loch Leven so that it would provide protection to the men of the glen. The sword lay undisturbed until June 1916, when it was found by a dredger who was clearing the bed of the loch in order to allow the passage of bigger ships. The following day, the 1st July 1916, was the first day of the Battle of the Somme; casualties were enormous, and included seven men from Glencoe – the first to die in battle since the Massacre.

Corrag also warned that if the narrows of Loch Leven were ever bridged, a flood would fill the Glen. When the Ballachulish Bridge was being constructed, the engineers found a loophole: they never technically completed it. One of the bolts is missing - in fact, it was never put in place, just in case Corrag’s prophesy came true.

Corrag was to be buried on Eilean Munde, a sacred burial island in Loch Leven. However, a fierce storm started up as soon as the boat set out for the island, forcing it back to shore. This happened three times before they gave up. Corrag was instead buried by the shore near Ballachulish, overlooking the loch. When construction of the new road along the lochside began, there were two bad landslides and one construction worker and his vehicle were thrown into the water – supposedly because he had disturbed Corrag’s resting place.

Contributed by Glencoe Folk Museum, Glencoe Village

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