The Legend of the Three Lammas Tides
Scotland is a land of myths, legends, and eerie prophecies that have been passed down through generations. From the haunting words of Thomas the Rhymer to the mysteries of the Standing Stones, tales of the supernatural are woven into the very fabric of the land. Among these stories, one of the most intriguing is the legend of the Three Lammas Tides, a prophecy foretelling a great flood that would rise three times, consuming towns and sweeping away lives.
This eerie piece of Scottish folklore, whispered for centuries in the coastal town of Cromarty, tells of a mysterious and unnatural flood—one that would break the rules of nature itself, rising three times in a single night before retreating forever. But was this just an old tale meant to keep villagers wary of the sea, or is there some truth hidden within the legend? Let’s dive into the origins of this chilling prophecy, its impact on the people who believed it, and whether history holds any clues that could explain it.
The Legend
The Lammas Tide refers to the time around Lammas Day (August 1st), a festival marking the first harvest of the year. While generally a time of celebration, the people of Cromarty had a darker association with this date—a prophecy that warned of an unnatural event linked to the sea.
According to local lore, a great flood would strike Cromarty, rising three separate times in one night before finally retreating, taking much of the town with it. The flood was said to come without warning, drowning homes, farmland, and even the massive Clach Malacha, a legendary stone so large that it was believed to be immovable. If the flood was strong enough to shift the Clach Malacha from its place, the prophecy warned, Cromarty itself would be doomed.
The prophecy was often attributed to Thomas the Rhymer, the famed 13th-century Scottish seer whose predictions were said to be unnervingly accurate. Whether or not he truly spoke of the Three Lammas Tides is unclear, but what is known is that many people in Cromarty feared it would come true.
Was the Prophecy Based on Real Events?
It is easy to dismiss the legend of the Three Lammas Tides as mere superstition, but Scotland’s history of catastrophic floods, coastal erosion, and sea surges gives the story an eerie weight.
1. The Changing Coastline of Cromarty
Historical records suggest that Cromarty has suffered significant coastal changes over the centuries. Old maps and accounts indicate that large portions of land once used for farming and homes are now underwater.
Some ancient graves were found beneath the waves after severe storms unearthed bones and headstones in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Buildings near the shore have vanished, with stories from elderly residents recalling farmland and roads where there is now only sea.
The town’s shoreline has been gradually retreating for centuries, giving weight to the idea that the sea might someday claim it entirely.
Could the legend of the Three Lammas Tides be an exaggerated warning about the slow but inevitable loss of land to the sea?
2. Historical Storm Surges
Scotland has experienced violent storm surges in the past, some of which caused massive destruction. One of the most infamous examples occurred in 1607, when a giant wave flooded towns along the coast of the British Isles, killing thousands.
More recently, in the 18th and 19th centuries, a series of devastating North Sea storms brought unusually high tides that inundated entire coastal communities. While these floods weren’t exactly like the Three Lammas Tides, they may have been enough to inspire the legend, as the people of Cromarty tried to make sense of the sea’s unpredictable wrath.
3. The Mystery of the Clach Malacha
One of the most chilling aspects of the prophecy is the idea that the flood would be strong enough to move the Clach Malacha, a massive stone covered in seaweed that only fully emerges at the lowest tides.
Local tradition holds that this stone was once surrounded by farmland, but over the centuries, the sea has crept in, leaving it partially submerged.
Some believe it marks an ancient boundary, possibly connected to pre-Christian rituals or Celtic folklore about water spirits.
If the stone were ever to be dislodged, many locals feared it would be a sign of impending disaster.
Though no historical records confirm the stone ever being moved, the fact that it remains a point of superstition to this day speaks to the deep-rooted fear of Cromarty’s ever-changing coastline.
The Psychological Impact of the Legend
While the prophecy of the Three Lammas Tides may have had some basis in historical floods and shifting shorelines, it also played a psychological role in the lives of the people who lived in Cromarty.
A Warning About the Unpredictable Sea – The legend may have served as a cautionary tale, reminding fishermen and farmers that the sea can never be trusted. Living on the coast meant constantly battling the elements, and the prophecy reinforced the need for vigilance.
A Reflection of Deep-Rooted Superstitions – Scotland has a long tradition of water-related folklore, from selkies (seal-folk) to the Kelpie (a supernatural water horse that drowns its victims). The Three Lammas Tides fits into this tradition, painting the sea as a force not just of nature, but of something beyond human control.
A Sense of Inevitable Doom – Even in modern times, some older residents of Cromarty still speak of the prophecy with a degree of respect, if not outright fear. Whether or not they believe in supernatural floods, the slow loss of land to the sea has shown them that, in a way, the prophecy was not entirely wrong.
Could It Ever Happen?
While a literal event where the sea rises and falls three times in a single night may be impossible, rising sea levels due to climate change could spell disaster for places like Cromarty.
Storm surges are becoming more severe, and unpredictable tides have led to flooding in areas that were previously considered safe.
The North Sea is slowly reclaiming parts of the Scottish coast, much like it has done in the past.
Perhaps the Three Lammas Tides was never meant to be taken as a supernatural prophecy, but rather as a warning of the inevitable power of the sea.
Adapted From: Miller, H. (1869). Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland: or, The Traditional History of Cromarty. Edinburgh: William P. Nimmo.
