Stories Of The Blue Men Of The Minch – Scottish Folklore
Of all the creatures from Scottish folklore, there are few as dangerous as the Blue Men of the Minch. They are one of the many water-based creatures found on Scotland’s coasts, but are nowhere near as well known as Selkies or Mermaids.
Fortunately, this guide will teach you what the Blue Men of the Minch are and what to do if you ever come across them!
What Are The Blue Men Of The Minch?
The first thing you need to know about the Blue Men of the Minch is that they’re only found in one place. Unsurprisingly, that place is The Minch, a stretch of water between mainland Scotland and the Outer Hebrides. Specifically, the Blue Men are said to live in underwater caves near the Shiant Isles, just off the coast of Lewis.
They’re often called Storm Kelpies, but they’re very different than the normal Kelpies you might be familiar with. The Blue Men of the Minch look similar to humans, but with blue skin, grey faces, long arms and green-white beards. They’re incredibly strong and locals have always known better than to risk their wrath.
If the Blue Men weren’t happy, they had the power to cause destructive storms and turbulent seas. Sailors would feel their ship being violently rocked while their assailants surrounded them. Muscular torsos would rise from the Minch to chase them, while a churning mass of blue arms dragged the hull to a watery grave.
The Blue Men Like Rap Battles
All isn’t lost if travellers do find themselves confronted by the Blue Men of the Minch! There is one unusual way to fend them off and it helps if you like to listen to rap music. The chief of the Blue Men will lift himself out of the water and challenge the ship’s captain to a battle of wits. Once he shouts out a rhyming couplet, the captain must respond in kind without hesitation.
Line after line is thrown back and forward like a relentless rap battle, often known as flyting. If the mortal can match the supernatural, then he earns their respect and is allowed to pass through safely. If he fails, then the Blue Men will drag the ship into the depths of The Minch.
We have one record of a victorious captain:
Blue Man: Man of the black cap, what do you say, As your proud ship cleaves the brine?
Captain: My speedy ship takes the shortest way, And I’ll follow you line by line.
Blue Man: My men are eager, my men are ready, To drag you below the waves.
Captain: My ship is speedy, my ship is steady, If it sank, it would wreck your caves
Trying To Capture One Of The Blue Men
If your crew is brave and captain subtle, then you might get lucky on your passage. When the weather is fair, the Blue Men of the Minch can sometimes be spotted quietly sleeping, just under the surface. With a gentle breeze to speed you along, hopefully you’ll slip by without even being noticed.
One foolhardy group of fishermen almost managed to capture one of the Blue Men of the Minch. The straight was calm for a change and they decided to try sneaking past the sentries. Seeing one of the legendary spirits sleeping on the top of the waves, somebody had the terrible idea to make a name for themselves and capture him.
They gently wrapped the creature in every rope and chain they had spare, tying it tightly to ensure he couldn’t escape. Just when they were almost out of the passage and in the clear, the sea began to churn around them. Two large, blue figures rose from the water and raced towards them.
“Duncan will be one man” shouted the first figure. “Farquhar will be two!” replied the second.
The calling of his companions woke the prisoner up and he snapped his bindings like they were made of thread. Leaping to his feet, he yelled, “Ian Mhor has no need of help!”
Then the Blue Man dived overboard, leaving the fishermen terrified at his strength and with a story to tell.
Explanations For These Folk Creatures
Were stories of the Blue Men of the Minch just invented to explain a particularly dangerous stretch of sea? Their legend became so ingrained that the strait between Lewis and Shiant became known as The Stream of the Blue Men. Does folklore tell us where they come from?
One suggestion is that the Blue Men originated at the same time as the fairies. When a group of angels were cast out of heaven for following Lucifer, they landed in different places. Those who fell onto ground became Scottish fairies, those stuck in the sky became the Northern Lights while any who landed in the sea became the Blue Men of the Minch.
There is also a less supernatural, although not any more believable, explanation. Some believe that blue-clothed North African slaves captured by Vikings are the true origin. They may have been marooned in the islands and taken to piracy to survive. Others believe the stories relate to Picts, attacking the islands in boats while covered in blue tattoos.
Whatever their origins, lets hope that you never have to face the Blue Men of the Minch yourself!
If you enjoyed these stories of the Blue Men of the Minch, you can find more like it in The Scotland’s Stories Book!
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