The Morag
These were dark times for the highlanders. Since Culloden, Angus McLeod had been one step ahead of Cumberland’s redcoats. Reaching Raasay had been impossible so he headed to his mother’s people, the Macdonalds of Keppoch.
Walking by Loch Morar, he noticed a glint in the water. Curious, he left his sword and boots at the lochside and waded out. Ripples broke the still waters – the wake of otters swimming below the surface perhaps?
He was thigh deep when he reached his target, the stones under his feet slick with algae. The sun slid behind a cloud as he leaned forwards, plunging his arm into the water.
Something snaked around his wrist and tugged; already off balance, he fell. He had the presence of mind to take a lungful of air before his head plunged underwater. His free hand dragged the loch-bed, his fingers snagging on the handle of a dagger, hand closing around it instinctively.
He turned, stunned to find himself gazing into startling blue eyes, a beautiful humanlike face surrounded by a mass of flowing hair. Her lithe body ended in a silver-scaled tail, swaying sinuously as she pulled him deeper.
He followed, captivated by her sensual smile, until a ray of sunshine blazed through the water, breaking the illusion – showing her for the sea-hag she truly was. Stringy hair surrounded a sallow-skinned face, with colourless eyes and a gaping maw filled with pointed, blackened teeth.
Angus struggled in her grasp, her clawed fingers tearing his skin. Desperate to breathe, bubbles escaped his lips. How long had he been underwater? One minute? Two… longer?
He remembered the dagger in his free hand, slashing it down her arm. She let out a silent shriek and released him. He desperately pushed for the surface and salvation.
As he dragged himself out of the water, he remembered the legend of the Morag, the loch monster said to appear only on the death of the laird. Had old Alexander Macdonald fallen at Culloden then?
He swept up his belongings, backing away as the Morag appeared, her gaze following him with a vindictive glare.
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Another well-researched story with historical and mythological references. Any of you who enjoy Scottish legends will love this one!
Thank you. I really enjoyed writing this story. It’s a period in history that interests me, and I love the Scottish myths and legends. I did get very carried away and had to edit out 420 words, so I’m really glad that the story still worked.
Carrie, this is a very captivating story! I am glad to read that Angus escaped that terrible ordeal. I must admit, I’ve never heard of Morag, the lake monster, but I looked it up. Are people just as fascinated by it as with Nessie? I remember visiting Scotland many years ago and the tour guide telling us how people would watch the loch day and night in the hope of seeing Nessie. It is fascinating and this was a very interesting story.
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Thank you, Marianna. I did a lot of research for this prompt, and got very carried away writing it. I had to cut about 420 words. As soon as I saw the prompt, I knew I wanted to write about a highlander, soon after the battle Culloden, having an underwater incident with something supernatural. I was originally going to have him going to Loch Oich, or one of the other lochs with a water-horse type monster, but during my research I read that the Laird, Alexander Macdonald, died at Culloden, and the loch monster, the Morag, only appears on the death of the Laird, then Loch Morar seemed the obvious choice for my setting – it’s the Loch that was on the Macdonalds lands. This link will take you to a Wiki page about the Loch monsters in Scotland; of course, Nessie is the most well known:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scottish_loch-monsters
Incidentally, any Harry Potter buffs out there, Loch Morar was used for Hogwarts Lake in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
Carrie, this is very interesting, thank you for the link.
Hello Carrie – your comment notes are just as fascinating as the story itself! I love knowing the connection to Harry Potter and Hogwarts Lake. Scotland seems to be a never-ending source of fantastic legends and heroes … and Loch monsters!
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Carrie, I so admire you for all the research you do to ensure your stories are accurate and, of course, rich with history. This one is brilliantly written, full of suspense and wonder. And even more intriguing that it is based on a true story. I was enthralled.
Thank you so much, Linda. I’d say based ‘around’ a true story rather than ‘on’ one. Angus is a fictional character (I think ????, Angus is quite a common name in Scotland, certainly there have been some Angus McLeod’s throughout history, so there may have been one at Culloden!) and, though many of the highlanders tried to go home, or to people and places familiar to them, Angus’ trip to Loch Morar is made up. I love to think that these wee beasties in the Lochs do exist and the idea of the Morag only appearing on the death of the Laird is quite fascinating. I believe the last official sighting was when Aeneas Macdonnell died in 1898, so she has been absent for quite some time.
I love the Scottish legends and sea creatures. You’ve done an exceptional job with this one, Carrie. The depth of your knowledge and research and passion offer us readers quite a treat. The Scottish mists and lochs and grey skies are rich with ancient mysteries, as I experienced on my only visit to Scotland. I stayed for a long time on Iona, another Scottish place steeped in history.
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Thank you, Julie. If it had been my choice we’d have moved to Scotland. I lived up there for a while as a live-in nanny before starting my nursing career. It always feels like home. I’m far more interested in Scottish history and legends than the English ones, with one or two exceptions, even if my Scots blood is a little watered down!
Another wonderful story. Beautifully written and exciting. Hats off, Carrie ????
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and comment ????
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Hello, Carrie. Your talent and knowledge in writing are truly exceptional. I found it more suspenseful and exciting. It is so captivating. Hats off to you.
Thank you, Lotchie, for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the story 🙂
You’re most welcome, Carrie.
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Suspense ’till the end! Great story.
Thank you, Henry, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
I love the feeling of the hero fighting the illusion, the siren’s song of a monster!
It would be interesting to see what the Morag will do to get her revenge…
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Thank you, Greene. That could be a whole ’nother story!