The legend of Coire Bhreacain

Coire Bhreacain (cauldron of the speckled sea) is the third largest whirlpool in the world.

At the height of the spring tides, flood tides and inflow from the Firth of Lorne can combine in the narrow strait between Jura and Scarba with a high underwater pinnacle to produce boiling swirling waves that can reach 30 ft high at times.

According to legend, this dangerous whirlpool which almost cost his life to George Orwell when the author lived in Jura, may derive its name from Breacan, the Norse prince who came to woo a princess of the Isles. Her father consented to their marriage so long as he survived three days of anchoring his ship to the whirlpool. To do so, the prince created three ropes, one of hemp, one of wool and one made of a virgin maiden’s hair from Norway. On the first day the hemp rope snapped. By day two the wool rope had been broken also. The prince was still confident by the third day, but his last and final rope also broke as the maiden whose hair was taken had been unfaithful! He was swept hopelessly into the whirlpool and drowned.

A few days later, his dog managed to drag his body ashore and he was finally laid to rest in the cave that also bears his name. Whether the stone coffin found there is his or not, legend does not say.

More information on visiting the area can be found here.