{"id":56585,"title":"The dream house","description":"The fairy fort at Kilmory Knap","content":"

The coast of Argyll in Scotland is deeply riven by sea lochs. Dense temperate rain forest and steep hills mean that roads are few, and usually follow the shoreline. At the end of a twenty mile cul-de-sac on one of these fingers of land is a hamlet called Kilmory Knap. The Knap distinguishes it from the many other places named Kilmory (Mary's church). Place names get re-used a lot; there are countless Dubh Sgeir (black rock) throughout the seas near here. There's not much at this tiny settlement apart from a beautiful silver beach with a view across to Jura, the church itself, which is home to a collection of carved medieval grave slabs, and the house of my dreams<\/u><\/a>, which I planned to buy when I won the lottery jackpot. Every week, before checking my emails, I'd look again at the listing on Rightmove and for a few minutes, the arts and crafts house overlooking the beach was mine. Then one week, the listing was no longer there. I hope the new owners love the house as much as I would have. I hope they know something of the history of the area; how the potato boats would come over from Antrim to the bay at nearby Doide, and in particular the stories of the \u201cgood folk\u201d. The Gaelic name for the house is Dun a Bhuilg, after the round hill that is part of the grounds behind the property. Such hills are often considered fairy forts, and that is the case with this one. In the archives of the local antiquarian magazine, The Kist, can be found this story:<\/p>

In the winter of 1941, evacuee Dilys Hooton was walking the road at dusk. Carrying a jug of milk for her child, she passed an abandoned settlement when an eerie, directionless cadence of notes began to shadow her footsteps. The sound hung in the twilight, stopping when she stopped, before finally vanishing beneath a rocky outcrop.<\/p>

Years later, local lore provided the context: she had unwittingly passed Cachaileith na Sith - the Gate of the Fairies.<\/p>

Situated above a faded milestone, this natural stone recess was long revered as a threshold to the domain of the s\u00ecorraidhs (the ever-living ones). The older generations understood that these entities were not harmless curiosities, but an ancient, formidable presence. Passing the spot demanded cautious reverence and whispered invocations for protection. It is highly probable that Dilys\u2019s cargo of milk - a substance fiercely coveted in such legends - provoked the encounter.<\/p>

Today, attempts to locate the exact threshold yield only overgrown rock. When Dilys returned decades later, the landscape was silent. The portal seems bolted shut against the noise of modern machinery, leaving behind only a quiet resonance of the past. It raises the question: have these ancient entities retreated from our modern intrusions, or have we simply lost the quietness required to perceive them?<\/p>

It may of course be that the music she heard was the singing of seals in the caves on the point. Seals, or selkies?<\/u><\/a><\/p>

\"ypgc7hbagdyt1d9pnzzq3s3lzlwrnbdue8pjr5xhzyb6awok.jpg.jpg?w=1140&v=2\"<\/p>

This is what was left on the rock:<\/em><\/p>

the skin, salt-slick and stippled.<\/em><\/p>

This is what the sea gave up:<\/em><\/p>

a woman, white-armed, walking.<\/em><\/p>

This is the price of the theft:<\/em><\/p>

seven years, or nine, or twelve.<\/em><\/p>

This is what was hidden:<\/em><\/p>

the skin, folded in the kist, under wool.<\/em><\/p>

This is what the children were:<\/em><\/p>

half one thing, half another.<\/em><\/p>

This is what they heard at night:<\/em><\/p>

the sea pulling, always pulling.<\/em><\/p>

This is what was found:<\/em><\/p>

the kist opened, the wool scattered.<\/em><\/p>

This is what was taken back:<\/em><\/p>

the skin, shaken out, still supple.<\/em><\/p>

This is what the husband saw:<\/em><\/p>

the woman running, the shore and the running.<\/em><\/p>

This is what the children saw:<\/em><\/p>

their mother, turning, twice-turning.<\/em><\/p>

This is what went into the water:<\/em><\/p>

the skin first, then the woman wearing it.<\/em><\/p>

This is what the sea took back:<\/em><\/p>

its own, its own, its own.<\/em><\/p>

This is what remains on the shore:<\/em><\/p>

the husband, standing.<\/em><\/p>

This is what remains in the house:<\/em><\/p>

the children, standing.<\/em><\/p>

This is what remains in the water:<\/em><\/p>

the seal, diving.<\/em><\/p>

This is the bargain:<\/em><\/p>

what the land gives, the sea retrieves.<\/em><\/p>

This is the law:<\/em><\/p>

what is borrowed must be rendered.<\/em><\/p>

This is the watching:<\/em><\/p>

every harbour mouth, every tide-turn, always.<\/em><\/p>

Many are my names besides:<\/em><\/p>

roane, silkie, seal-woman, sea-wife.<\/em><\/p>

Many are my forms besides:<\/em><\/p>

wife and mother, sleek-head, hunt-tail.<\/em><\/p>

Many are my homes besides:<\/em><\/p>

the kist and the current, the threshold and the deep.<\/em><\/p>

This is what the sea remembers:<\/em><\/p>

everything taken.<\/em><\/p>

This is what the land forgets:<\/em><\/p>

nothing, nothing, nothing.<\/em><\/p>

I found another story in J.F. Campbell\u2019s Popular Tales of the West Highlands:<\/p>

\u201cFairies were very friendly to some people whom they favoured, but equally mischievous where they took a dislike. A hill in the farm of Dunvuilg in Craignish (?) was one of their favourite haunts, and on a certain occasion they offered to assist an honest tenant's wife in the neighbourhood, for whom they had a kindness, to manufacture a quantity of wool she had for clothing for her family. She was very glad to have their services, and being always an active race, they set to work directly, repeating 'CIRADH, CARDADH, TLAMADH, CUIGEAL, BEARTIGHE GU LUATH BURN LUAIDH AIR TEINE CORR IONNDRAIDH MHOR MHAITH BEAN AN TIGHE FHIN.' Teazing, carding, mixing, distaff, weaving loom, water for waulking on the fire, the thrifty housewife herself is the best at sitting up late.<\/p>

In the heat of their operations an envious neighbour came to the door crying 'DUNBHUILG IRA THEINE,' Dunvuilg on fire! Dunvuilg is on fire! Dunvuilg is on fire! was re-echoed by all the little company. 'M\u2019 UIRD IS M' INNEAN! M' UIRD IS' M' INEANN! MO CHLANN BHEAG S' MO DHAOINE MORA! MO CHLANN BHEAG S' MO DHAOINE MORA!'--'Dunvuilg on fire; my hammers and my anvil--my hammers and my anvil; my little children and my grown men - my little children and my grown men!' and they all scampered off, but not till they had nearly finished the housewife's web.\u201d<\/p>

\"q5j2uz6vbgfqg9ybtngpwtm1izxac9mgefc2esqgqeajp8dg.jpg.jpg?w=1140&project=over-the-hill-282359&v=2\"<\/p>

According to another version of the story, this time situated at Nether Largie, the work song of the good people was as follows:<\/p>

\u201cIs fad abhras 'n aon laimh air dheradh,<\/em><\/p>

Ciradh cardadh tlamadh cuigel,<\/em><\/p>

Feath a bhearst fithidh gu luath,<\/em><\/p>

'S uisge luaidh air teine<\/em><\/p>

Obair, obair, obair, obair,<\/em><\/p>

Is fad abhras 'n son laimh air dheradh.<\/em><\/p>

Which MacLean translates freely -<\/p>

\"Work, work, for a single hand<\/em><\/p>

Can but little work command,<\/em><\/p>

Some to tease, and card, and spin;<\/em><\/p>

Some to oil and weave begin;<\/em><\/p>

Some the water for waulking heat,<\/em><\/p>

That we may her web complete.<\/em><\/p>

Work, work, for a single hand<\/em><\/p>

Can but little work command.\"<\/em><\/p>

The story comes as one of the sources for the Modern Fairies <\/u><\/a>collaboration which was based at Sheffield University.<\/p>

I've made peace with the fact that this storied house won't be mine. I've found another, quite nearby. So far, I haven't found any tales attached to this one. I won't tell you where it is, in case you win the jackpot before me.<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>

<\/p>","urlTitle":"the-dream-house","url":"\/blog\/the-dream-house\/","editListUrl":"\/my-blogs","editUrl":"\/my-blogs\/edit\/the-dream-house\/","fullUrl":"https:\/\/overthehilltees.com\/blog\/the-dream-house\/","featured":false,"published":true,"showOnSitemap":true,"hidden":false,"visibility":null,"createdAt":1779705731,"updatedAt":1779712269,"publishedAt":1779712269,"lastReadAt":null,"division":{"id":278962,"name":"Over The Hill"},"tags":[],"metaImage":{"original":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/31q8njf7jcg7nabws9rjoemlrrpiqn9ds1xptjftqzx0ivr9.jpeg","thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/31q8njf7jcg7nabws9rjoemlrrpiqn9ds1xptjftqzx0ivr9.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/31q8njf7jcg7nabws9rjoemlrrpiqn9ds1xptjftqzx0ivr9.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"metaTitle":"","metaDescription":"","keyPhraseCampaignId":null,"series":[],"similarReads":[{"id":31643,"title":"T-shirts: a force for social good","url":"\/blog\/t-shirts-a-force-for-social-good\/","urlTitle":"t-shirts-a-force-for-social-good","division":278962,"description":"T-shirts, the humble wardrobe staple, have evolved into powerful canvases for self-expression and social change. Beyond their functional purpose, t-shirt designs have emerged as a medium for conveying messages, promoting causes, and fostering a sense of unity. In this blog post, we will explore why t-shirt designs are a social good, shedding light on their ability to inspire, raise awareness, and drive positive change in society","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/7ttekfqurbh4jtj1tpxjq54sfrsfe9qarz9f3yfykp5jtkdw.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/7ttekfqurbh4jtj1tpxjq54sfrsfe9qarz9f3yfykp5jtkdw.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":44360,"title":"Krampus: The Dark Alpine Christmas Demon Comes to the West","url":"\/blog\/krampus-the-dark-alpine-christmas-demon-comes-to-the-west\/","urlTitle":"krampus-the-dark-alpine-christmas-demon-comes-to-the-west","division":278962,"description":"When most people think of Christmas, images of jolly Santa Claus, twinkling lights, and festive cheer come to mind. But in the Alpine regions of Europe, a very different holiday character has long lurked in the shadows: Krampus, the horned Christmas demon who punishes misbehaving children. Originating in the mountainous regions of Austria, Germany, and parts of Eastern Europe, Krampus is the antithesis of the benevolent Saint Nicholas","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/p9iibitacmttcwcknvkkmxuhsghupqkbuwmoffzqmdelilao.jpeg.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/p9iibitacmttcwcknvkkmxuhsghupqkbuwmoffzqmdelilao.jpeg.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0},{"id":56476,"title":"The Man Who Almost Reached Mars","url":"\/blog\/the-man-who-almost-reached-mars\/","urlTitle":"the-man-who-almost-reached-mars","division":278962,"description":"Toby Jones will play Colin Pillinger, creator of the Beagle 2 Mars Lander in the upcoming film Mars Express directed by Mackenzie Crook","published":true,"metaImage":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/iffe2ddlb4fd7wvz2scav0fqzqir95dtex3yspgkvjswa1un.png.jpg?w=1140&h=855","banner":"https:\/\/images.podos.io\/iffe2ddlb4fd7wvz2scav0fqzqir95dtex3yspgkvjswa1un.png.jpg?w=1920&h=1440"},"hidden":0}],"labels":[]}