Author: robinacrawford

Robin Crawford is an author and illustrator, with a particular interest in the culture and natural heritage of Scotland. His first book, ‘Into the Peatlands: A Journey Through the Moorland Year’, was published in 2018 and longlisted for the Highland Book Prize. ‘Cauld Blasts and Clishmaclavers’ (2020) is a treasury of Scottish Words. His third book ‘The Sound of Many Waters, A Jjourney along the River Tay’ is published in June 2023 by Birlinn. He lives in Auchtermuchty, in Fife.

A ‘Rival Monster’? “The village of Leurbost, parish of Lochs, Lewis is at present the scene of an unusual occurrence. This is no less than the appearance, in one of the inland fresh-water lakes, of an animal, which, from its great size and dimensions, has not a little puzzled our island naturalists… The animal is described by some as being in appearance and size like a ‘huge peat-stack,’…”

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‘The Sea Serpent in the Highlands’

“The village of Leurbost, parish of Lochs, Lewis is at present the scene of an unusual occurrence. This is no less than the appearance, in one of the inland fresh-water lakes, of an animal, which, from its great size and dimensions, has not a little puzzled our island naturalists. It has been repeatedly seen within the last fortnight by crowds of people, many of whom have come from the remotest parts of the parish to witness the uncommon spectacle. The animal is described by some as being in appearance and size like a ‘huge peat-stack,’ while others affirm that a ‘six-oared boat’ could pass between the huge fins, which are occasionally visible! All, however, agree, in describing its form as that of the eel; and we have heard one, whose evidence we can rely upon, state that in length he supposed it to be about forty feet. It is probable that it is no more than a conger eel after all- animals of this description having been caught in Highland lakes, which have attained a huge size. He is currently reported to have swallowed a blanket inadvertently left on the bank of the lake by a girl herding cattle. A sportsman ensconced himself with a rifle in the vicinity of the loch during a whole day, hoping to get a shot, but did no execution.”

Inverness Courier, March 1856