59: The Scottish Isle | An Ancient Ritual in a Cave? Highland Traditions & Superstitions, Scotland

Join us as we hike along the island's shoreline and discover a mystery inside a cave. Katie uses traditional burlap to make rustic curtains, Scott demolishes a part of the garden, and we find another ruined croft house nearby.
Many thanks to Alan for supplying us with the black and white photographs of the road being laid.
*Please note: Scott's comments on Katie's American friend coming to stay on the island in this episode are meant to be humorous - as intended. Please do not choose to take offense. Without the help of our State-side friends, none of this would be possible.
Welcome to The Scottish Isle. A 'fly-on-the-wall' channel where we share the captivating world of our life on this private island in the Hebrides. Our channel is your window to the rich treasures of this unique way of life, showcasing Scotland's beauty, local traditions, and the enchanting, old-fashioned lifestyle we embrace. Join us on this exciting journey as we explore the stories and wonders that shape our island life, from breath-taking landscapes to cherished traditions; the renovation of a 300-year-old cottage, and the restoration of antiques. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay up-to-date with our latest episodes. Let's embark on this remarkable adventure together!
Disclaimer: The comments and opinions expressed within 'The Scottish Isle' vlogs are solely those of Scott and Katie. They do not represent the beliefs, thinking or judgements of the owners of the island.
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Background music:
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01: 'Sí Bheag Sí Mhor' - attributed to Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). Performed by Lily Neill on harp. Reproduced with her kind permission.
The original performance can be found here: • Sí Bheag Sí Mhor - Lil...
02: 'Captain O'Kane' - attributed to Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). Performed by unknown on harp. Reproduced with kind permission.
03: 'Zöld az erdő and Araber Tanze Medley'. Performed by Lily Neill on harp. Reproduced with her kind permission. Reproduced with her kind permission.
The original performance can be found here: • Zöld az erdő and Arab...
04: 'James Betagh' - attributed to Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). Performed by Lily Neill on harp. Reproduced with her kind permission.
The original performance can be found here: • Turlough O’Carolan’s “...
05: 'Sí Bheag Sí Mhor' - attributed to Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). Performed by Lily Neill on harp. Reproduced with her kind permission.
The original performance can be found here: • Sí Bheag Sí Mhor - Lil...
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Please support all of the talented musicians who kindly give their music to be featured in 'The Scottish Isle':
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Reidun Schlesinger's KZbin channel can be found here:
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Reidun Schlesinger's website can be found here: harpmusic.ie/
Reidun Schlesinger's Facebook page can be found here:
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Lily Neill's KZbin channel can be found here:
/ @lilyneill8169
Lily Neill's website can be found here: www.lilyneill.com/index.html
Lily Neill's Facebook page can be found here:
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Maija Lindaas' KZbin channel can be found here:
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Maija Lindaas Turlough O' Carolan performances can be found here (reproduced with the kind permission of Land O' Lakes Arts (LOLA)):
• Turlough O' Carolan
Maija Lindaas website can be found here:
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Land O' Lakes Arts' website can be found here:
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[@TheScottishIsle]

Please support our channel at www.ko-fi.com/thescottishisle Paypal: [e-mail] Patreon subscription: www.patreon.com/TheScottishIsle 4K Ultra High Definition Camera campaign: ko-fi.com/thescottishisle Please follow The Scottish Isle on Instagram: instagram.com/thescottishisle?igshid=NGExMmI2YTkyZg%3D%3D Amazon Wishlist: www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1TD40LOSIWHIH?ref_=wl_share For further information please contact us at: [e-mail]

[@marylyon1230]

Forgot to mention I love the curtains. You have so many skills. It seems to just come naturally to you.

[@glendasmith7507]

Today is St Patrick’s day. It made me think a big leprechaun left those green moss covered old shoes 😂😂😂😉

[@user-tz7du2cy4g]

Yes special for the moss tickler! 🤣

[@user-sm9fm3vl7h]

You good folks are a breath of fresh air in a very ill wind 😊

[@melaniehoshall6942]

Every one of these crofts represent someone's hopes and dreams for a future, the ability to have, raise, and support a family. Maybe the memories linger in the stones.

[@mythtree6348]

a local old croft has just fallen in.. the roof was let go. Its so sad cos my friends and i used to restore them . ive not the physical strength now sadly.

[@judymcgovern8454]

The curtains look fabulous Katy. I also find old deralict buildings moving, I imagine the people who lived there and what their life must have been like ❤

[@glenysperry3421]

Antique shoes in strange places, banter, sweet sheep, sewing, destructing wood and wire, beautiful rocks and old falling apart crofts, photos. Love it all.

[@AmyLovesOldStuff]

I agree with you Kate, seeing the old crofts makes me think of my grans wanting to go back home "one time before I die." I become melancholic but remind myself they had a great life in America after immigrating in 1907.

[@patriciawilson7878]

Love the curtains. Your show is very good.

[@staceyalbert3523]

Absolutely my favourite KZbin moments are spent watching your channel. Loved loved loved the music! The only thing is, I never want the episodes to end. 😊Thank you for bringing joy!

[@sventhompson]

Makes me think of the song as sung by the Chieftains "May Morning Dew". (The house I was reared in is but a stone on a stone And all round the garden wild thistles have grown And all the fine neighbors that ever I knew Like the red rose they withered in the May morning dew.)

[@beverlyethridge5084]

I love the look of sack cloth curtains. My grandmother used it in so many ways.

[@nadineveitch5837]

What I would give to be surrounded by so much archaeology! I spent a winter metal detecting our front paddock which had an old (ok 1900 odd so NZ old haha) sawmill in the front paddock. Was hours of entertainment.. found an old pocket knife, padlock, horse shoes, rasps, axe heads. Can't wait to see what you find!

[@Caareenkm6726]

Thanks for all your videos. I don’t comment a lot here but I do watch. Just wanted to thank you. 🙂 Alberta Canada 🇨🇦 I’m getting excited for your new adventures in gardening. ❤️

[@TheScottishIsle]

Thanks for watching! Kx

[@koheleth7098]

My wife, hearing the comment "Is it just the one?" about Americans, shouts at the tv, "Yes, Scott, we're all coming! Get ready!"

[@TheHylander27]

The curtains and rope tie backs look fab!

[@davidprice1356]

You're living the dream of true explorers, always searching for the right path that will lead you to places of interest. It's like living in a museum. With your vlog and you as our guide, us explorers, without the means, can discover with you the secrets the island keeps. Wow, that sounds like the title of a book or movie.

[@wildflower1335]

Ah Katie... the small cave just may be a hiding place for your Wellies collection 🤣🤣

[@annehicks9992]

I'm with you Katie. I always feel sad when I wander old buildings / ruins, thinking of the people that lived there and their lives.

[@djmoulton1558]

I know it is not finished yet (you haven't even been on the island a year yet) but once you feel that map has got to a relatively finished state I think you could sell copies of it as merchandise to support your channel. Just a thought. I'd certainly buy one!

[@pinkellie7346]

Thank you, for sharing your adventure with us. 💕

[@richardwilliams5051]

Put there by the local preacher trying to save soles 😉

[@deirdrepasko9056]

Bahahaha

[@lindabaker2905]

smartie pants lol

[@julietprentice1103]

That made me chuckle 😂

[@marinagauthier4597]

The BBC wrote an article about concealed shoes. It mentions the shetland islands. Thousands of shoes have been found. Its a very very old tradition that extends to USA and Canada. I sent a link to one article sorry if that was a NoNo. A little excerpt It lists just under 3,000 shoes found in properties from the Shetland Islands to the Isles of Scilly, with the greatest number being from the south-east of England

[@janetmackinnon3411]

Ah, even your clock brings back memories...every Friday night my grandmother wound up a clock like that, i.e. "she rowwed the nock".

[@britishgal1808-Sue]

The curtains are lovely, they will keep prying eyes away, hopefully! :)

[@dcimedic]

Talking about the original inhabitants choosing burlap sacks for the windows it reminded me of my grandmother talking about making dresses out of cotton flower sacks after the great depression in the US.

[@iamshotty]

Oh I'd love to dig around and lark through the cave of shoes. There's a lot of history right there. The burlap curtains look fabulous. The croft ruins are beautiful and yet sad at the same time. It would be lovely to breathe life back into those stones that whisper a thousand stories.... Love it. xx Teresa 🇦🇺❤

[@megmills4798]

O dear Katie😅 you are a pestimist she says❤,i always love watching your show😊

[@wildflower1335]

I get melancholy as well when I see old crumbly homesteads. I wonder of their excitement of their new home, I their first Christmas, what was their favorite color, kind of pie, who were they?

[@megmills4798]

O wow‼️what a find of shoes😊

[@lindachenoweth9002]

Loved the curtains Katie. And thanks again for a really nice and educational walk, you never know what you will find!

[@MysticStarLite]

I love the idea of being an archaeologist. You both live in an awesome place for that as anything that's old here in the United States gets destroyed and turned into a tiny shopping area. I long for history.

[@megmills4798]

Curtains are beautiful😊

[@megmills4798]

Loved ending😊

[@user-fc2hb3de2w]

There is always a bit of ritual in traditions. Rituals that connect generations. Just as you will feel connected to the past occupants by using the burlap cloth for your windows.

[@Seven50ml]

That intro was spot on 👏

[@loverizzato9081]

Love the curtains and the length. Perfectly rustic. Great job!

[@lizservice898]

Loving your humour you two! Great find -the cave of abandoned shoes, there must be a story there, you could write a book! Your curtains are fabulous Katie! Really look forward to your episodes 😊

[@KatyThompsonHaley]

Oh! That first shot of y’all walking over the moss covered rocks! ❤😍😍😍

[@ginnyshayne2702]

I remember a PBS show in which an old house ~1600’s maybe in which worn out shoes were discovered under the stairs. The archeologist said that they were placed there by the family to ward off evil spirits from coming up the stairs to the bedrooms. There were men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes. Maybe the ‘shoe cave’ was a handed down tradition of a similar belief to protect the house?

[@megmills4798]

I have learned what you see through curtain outside during the day at night people can see in if light is present in a room as clear😊

[@girlnorthof60]

The shoe-midden find sent me down an interesting interweb rabbit hole... especially unusual that the heels were removed. Thank you for sharing your lives with us. 🙏

[@DomingoDeSantaClara]

Fascinating little cave, definitely needs a closer look for bottles, pots, buckles etc. After seeing all the abandoned crofts around Scotland i often thought about getting one and doing it up, sadly I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for the manual labour required.

[@philipbarrett3151]

Unfortunately they almost never come up for sale.

[@megmills4798]

The one rock reminded me of a ❤️

[@glennwing4214]

A Cave of Shoes. Your island has everything! How would you say that in Gaelic? Katie, I love your rustic curtains, and Scott, I always appreciate your knowledge of antique things, this time shoes.

[@adamshore7641]

Seeing all those old shoes really was like 'stepping' back in time. Will be interesting to see what you discover with the metal detector.

[@lindagage7315]

Enjoyed this vlog, good job on the curtains, they look quaint!

[@user-pp5qo7by9t]

Great show once again. Always good too see what you are up too. Regarding the Croft houses yes it’s a shame about the croft houses being left to fall down. We have a few not far from us. On the Dava moor. Good you both have sticks now.

[@jenniferfarrah3134]

Loved the mysterious boot cave , I think also there lived a cobbler near by 😂. If all the crofts were rebuilt , & then occupied for only a few months of the year , it would become like Cornwall , very sad . Best left . More romantic . Great episode .

[@louiseswart1315]

If it if legal to disturb those boots, they would make interesting planters. Your island could well be an archeological estate with all those crofts rebuilt!

[@brucecampbell1291]

So much to explore, so much to find?

[@stephenbatchelor7400]

Another great episode! Perhaps the heels were still usable, and went into the new pair?

[@kimsheather3745]

My husband was saying that the nails hammered into the bottom of the shoes like that were what rock fishermen used to help them grip on the rocks

[@mythtree6348]

I'm a wee bit further north from you but i find old victorian boots and bottles quite often too. If you go in the cave be careful not to be asphyxiated. The air can get very stale on caves before you know it.

[@Mari-jt3kr]

Dear Katie and Scott, I found your channel a week ago and I like it very much 😍 The cave with the shoes is exciting. There were and still are a lot of rituals with shoes. For example, in ancient times, worn-out shoes were walled up when houses were built. Perhaps for good luck for the residents. These shoes are occasionally found during renovations today. I could imagine that people who had to leave the island, their homeland (for marriage or work, for example), perhaps left a shoe behind. There was also "the ritual of the single shoe" in Ireland, which had something to do with claiming power and land. But I don´t know, I was just wondering 😊

[@MrMarkr1892]

"A more frugal and simple life" in one of those abandoned cottages sounds like bliss. I'd need a shower though or a heated waterfall 😊 Amazed you are still finding new treasures now that the fern (bracken) has died down.

[@Xanthelou]

That shoe cave is so intriguing. For some reason, when you mentioned all the heels were removed, I felt that this was a tradition getting rid of shoes that would never be walked in again because their owner had passed away unexpectedly. Removing the shoes was a nod to the idea that that person cohld never be replaced and no one could walk in their shoes. Isn't it fun, thinking about the why of things!

[@lovelyskull3483]

Thank you.

[@sallywatton2580]

You have been popping up for a while just started watching

[@TheScottishIsle]

We hope you enjoy! Kx

[@stevesmith9262]

I'm absolutely enjoying this progress you both are doing on the island and all the stuff you are finding. Keep it up all the best with more adventures cheers from New Zealand.

[@i96634]

Thank you for nice watching!🌷❤

[@JaneyH]

I’m with Katy That place made me very low… think some people just empaths with things Same for me with school house.. Thanks for sharing Have a great week both 🐑🐑

[@patriceogrady9763]

Katie, your curtains and tiebacks are great! Well done!

[@michellewalls1464]

Hello from Indiana in the U S. I think it should be called the cave of "soles" for the shoe soles. Especially on the map.😊

[@tricial4330]

One day someone will find Katie's wellie hoard and do a KZbin video about it, right? That green on the old boots! Electric green! I love the curtains also, very humble, sturdy and perfect. I've used new soft canvas painters dropcloth for draperies, they are so natural and durable as well.

[@wildflower1335]

We see & hear a lot of "Canadian Honkers", i love the raucous noise they make!

[@dkbauman6982]

Hello from Canada! Thank you for another lovely video

[@glynislaidlaw4064]

Another beautiful episode, i can't wait for each new story, I would love to be in your kitchen helping make the curtains with you Kate. those tiebacks were beautiful! When I was a small child in school we made a cushion from the sacking, we drew threads out, widthways and lengthways then did cross stich patterns using wool. Very colourful !

[@blupoppy608]

the cave was fun :) loved seeing the sewing bit as well. Another fun video, thanks

[@cynthiabruns7178]

I love your burlap curtains and the tie backs, that little cave like place with the shoes looks like an interesting place to do a bit of digging, never know what else could have been tossed. Really enjoy your channel.

[@marionlesage4794]

I love your channel. The latest videos are getting me through a nasty viral infection. Thank you for making life better by sharing your day. Katie needs some chickens. They make life better and make more lovely compost. 😊 The curtains are a lovely touch as was removing the birch rails. The shoe cave was fascinating.❤

[@sandfly60]

I love the Cave of old Soles. The heels may have been removed for re-use.

[@brendakilberg5727]

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful island with us. Your curtains are perfect.

[@hanneliewiese3477]

Love all your expeditions 😊 Love these old buildings and ancient history ... makes me sad too. Wish I could live there❤

[@margaretlynch1494]

Leprechauns are cobblers. Yours was probably off to Ireland for st. Paddy's day. 😂 Your curtains are lovely, Katie!❤❤ I thought that fence might keep the sheep on the path...Was that wire you were cutting, Scott?... I won't worry. You know best.🥸❤

[@raneemilliman7130]

You know, we're not all bad, here in America.

[@TheScottishIsle]

Hi Ranee. As we have plenty of American friends, one of them coming to stay, and others who's help was paramount in getting us to this island, you can park my tongue in cheek comments as 'taking the piss' (as we say over here). I wasn't being serious and people really do need to stop being so hyper-sensitive and go with the natural flow of the 'show'.

[@raneemilliman7130]

@TheScottishIsle I wasn't offended by any means. It seems much of what you say is with tongue in cheek. No problem. However, there may be a bit of sensitivity for some.

[@TheScottishIsle]

@@raneemilliman7130 Oh, there has been! 🤭

[@lauraautry6992]

I love how you both scout the island. I would be hiking everyday it is so beautiful there. I love the ducks 😊. Your curtains had more charm to your kitchen really nice 🤗❤️

[@philipbarrett3151]

We love the closing where you walk off into the distance and we just hear the chatter hanging in the air.

[@marionbartley214]

Hello Katie and Scott, great video today, Katie I like your new rustic curtains. And while going on the walk ,coming across the shoes that was interesting. Also the discovery of the little stone previous house, I felt a little sad also. Knowing that previous people lived there. and I wondered what their life would have been like? And what happened to them? Looking forward to the next video.

[@marypasco2213]

Love the 'green' boot. Doesn't look like mold, to me. Looks like dye. The style of the other boot looks fantastic. Reproduce it, maybe? Absolutely LOVE your vlogs! ❤

[@marylyon1230]

It is currently happening here in the States. Many many small towns dying off, losing most of their population, downtowns closed up and falling apart. I follow a youtube guy who travels all the States and he shows these towns on camera, driving through decayed neighborhoods, and gives all the stats about population loss, incomes, etc. Fascinating but sad.

[@farmkay]

I was late to the party. Slept in 😂 About the shoes found in walls. They and sometimes clothes were usually put near outer doorways and windows to keep evil away. Be it living or dead evil? Mostly dead. Some countries put the bones of an animal down where a new fireplace was to be built usually under the hearthstone.

[@howardsportugal]

Some of those old shoe designs would be brilliant to recreate - for sale perhaps...

[@howardsportugal]

If you soak your wirecutters in vinegar for a bit then that will reconvert the rust (Iron 3 hydroxide) to black Iron Oxide which can then be oiled to preserve the finish 👍

[@beverlyzimmermann5868]

Another great show

[@joanmoss9371]

My mother’s paternal side were from Peinchorran Braes on Skye and aunt Isa had a bothy…1880s info.

[@marypasco2213]

Taking the 'fence' down = kindling or outside firepit.

[@elizabethfairlie8296]

I think its possible the cave floor is a lot lower than what you are seeing.

[@deirdrepasko9056]

I know that during the Victorian era, people would put their old shoes in the walls of their homes to ward off evil spirits. I'm not sure what the story is though, about leaving them in a rock overhang outside, but I do hope you put them All Back.

[@jenhanlon3840]

Love the curtains ☺️

[@headron66]

‘Keeking in’ to peep in ‘Midden’ a place to throw rotten food (used as a compost heap)or for old junk Lovely Scots words and I think Northern English probably derived from other nations at one point I had a talk with my mam on Mother’s Day about how ‘the young ones’ are losing their Scots tongue and her passion for speaking and reading in her own tongue. It started because I said I was going to Anstruther and she corrected me, “it’s Ainster” she said🤣. Your curtains are lovely Katie❤

[@gwencrosswhite9329]

As always love the treasure hunting, history lessons and banter!! Once while in England saw that our waitress had written The Americans on her order pad. Ha!! We Americans can be a thorn in the side but we sure love your channel 😊

[@TheScottishIsle]

We love you guys. 🤍

[@user-zi7ly5cw1o]

Fascinated with the shoe discovery😮 I googled it, the National Museum of Scotland has a collection dating back to 1810. There appeared to be superstitious rituals as you suggested. Quite the find! My curiosity would love to know the age of those shoes!! My husband and I thank you for another wonderful video❤

[@annettemurielle]

I imagine it's a cobbler's cave where he hid his failures. I mean, why waste a heal on shoes the didn't measure up. LOL!

[@plainnpretty]

Maybe the heels could be reused on other shoes?

[@pitchforkcustom]

elves and the shoemaker.. maybe leave a nice bit of leather out and see what’s fashioned by morning 😊😮

[@sallywatton2580]

I totally agree with your veiw on ritual

[@melodyc6363]

I love those old boots with the 💚 bright green 💚 moss, I think you would call it... 😍👍 I also get very confused about if you're on the island or the mainland. The old croft, is that on the mainland?

[@eddiequinn1335]

As Mr . Diamond says ' a beautiful noise '

[@Algorithmicgeneratedwordsalad]

When you were showing The Eccentric little shoe cave it reminded me of some of the folklore that my mom had been taught as a child growing up and I know that her grandmother was from the Isles we don't know which one before they had come to the United States and like you said they probably would have left around the same time that you guys are talking about the island being abandoned make makes me kind of sad as well

[@hathorearthfyre]

Please invest in a metal detector as soon as you can; lots of viewers would enjoy seeing some of the metal leavings under and around the old crofts (and caves!). Buckles and bolts, bits and bobs of wonder!

[@lotsapockets]

It has been suggested that the devil and other evil spirits could be trapped in a shoe, for some reason it was thought that these evil entities wanted to hide their feet so they would not be recognised, but a broken shoe would prevent the entity from being able to walk. It was thought that while they could put a shoe on, they couldn't remove them. Perhaps at particular high tides or strong winds there are strange noises from the cave which raised a superstition of spirits, thus to keep the spirits with in, they put the shoes in the cave?

[@michelineheise5959]

Thanks

[@TheScottishIsle]

Thank you! 🤍

[@emilyjayne77]

7:44 I’d take a spade next time and see what’s underneath those there shoes! I bet there’s a hundred old bottles there