The COAST Project & Scotland’s Stories
People often ask me where I find my stories and I want to recommend one of my sources as something you can easily use as well. It’s called COAST, a community-led project which has collected hundreds of stories from up and down the west coast of Scotland.
Inside, you’ll find everything from the folklore & history that I love so much to architecture and the arts. You can either visit the website here to plan your trip before leaving, or download the app which helps when finding stories on the go. Search for the audio options and you don’t even need to go to the effort of reading them!
What is the COAST project?
While the COAST project is supported by the University of the Highlands & Islands, it’s really community-led. If it wasn’t for the local story gatherers and the knowledge of those they spoke to, there would be nothing to show!
There is so much to see amongst the islands, peninsulas, lochs and mountains of the west coast of Scotland that it can all seem a bit daunting. It isn’t easy to decide where to visit or what to see when you get there. Fortunately, with COAST you can browse the map and the stories behind the places to help you uncover the stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
For those who might never be able to realise their dream of visiting Scotland, you’ve got hundreds of little trips right there to enjoy from the comfort of your chair.
While I strongly recommend you download the COAST app and discover it for yourself, here’s a few picks that I enjoyed.
Stories From The Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull is one of my favourite places, in my eyes it’s the perfect Scottish island. It’s packed full of interesting stories where history meets folklore, just like the Tobermory Galleon. Legend says that a Spanish Galleon known as the Florencia limped into Tobermory Bay in 1588 carrying a horde of gold. That ship mysteriously sank and people have been hunting for that gold ever since.
You can read a little more about what really happened here on the COAST website.
If you prefer slightly more modern history, then how about a German submarine that was sunk off the Isle of Staffa? It’s a fascinating local story that I had never heard of, told here by somebody who saw the Lancaster Bombers in action.
COAST isn’t all strictly historical accounts though! One of my favourite stories involves a transport ship bound for America that found itself pestered by a whale. I won’t spoil the story of The Granny & The Whale for you, but it’s one I’d put firmly in the “tall tale” category!
Stories From The Outer Hebrides
If you’ve ever set sail to the Outer Hebrides, you’ll know that the islands takes their storytelling very seriously. Stories and tradition are ingrained in the Gaelic culture of the Western Isles and that comes across through the COAST project.
Take the story of Lachlan Bàn MacCormick, the blind piper of Benbecula for example. He was a renowned musician, one-time soldier and Hebridean crofter who left his mark on the world of pipe music. His story was recorded in the 1940s by folklore collector Calum Maclean who was honoured to have witnessed this great tradition bearer first hand.
There are also stories of pivotal moments in the Outer Hebrides’ history, such as the Battle of Sollas. It was one of many clashes between crofters and police during the mid-19th century as landowners tried to clear them from the land. The people of Sollas didn’t just take their eviction notice lying down though and this is a tale worth reading.
Stories From Argyll
If travelling on a ferry isn’t for you then never fear, COAST has plenty of stories from the mainland too! You’re almost spoiled for choice in Argyll, including one of my favourite places outside Oban – Fingal’s Dog Stone. Spot Molly in the picture below to give you some scale…
One of the lesser known stories of Argyll, but a location that’s incredibly important to Scotland’s history is the Tinker’s Heart. This is the only permanent monument for Scotland’s Traveller community, located high above Loch Fyne. It became a location for weddings and christenings and thankfully is now protected as a scheduled monument!
Finishing up with an epic folk legend from Kintyre all about a vicious boar with deadly bristles. It involves the great hero Fingal, his right-hand-man Diarmid and a touch of treachery. It’s also the story that may explain the boar on the Campbell crest!
Go & Explore COAST Now!
For those of you who are planning a trip to Scotland or any Scots who are thinking about a wee break for the holidays out west, go and download the app now to help find somewhere fascinating to go. Don’t forget to let me know what you discover there!
COAST has been part-funded by the ERDF Natural and Cultural Heritage Fund administered by NatureScot, with match funding from Calmac and UHI West Highland.
This post was written as part of a partnership with COAST but all thoughts and words are my own.
0 Comments