A witch destroys a Spanish Armada ship by summoning the wind...
Track Information
Original Track ID
SA1960.217.B1
Original Tape ID
Summary
A witch destroys a Spanish Armada ship by summoning the wind.
A Spanish Armada ship came to shelter in the mouth of Housa Voe on Papa Stour. An English boy escaped ashore and he told the people that the Spaniards were going to take the island the next day, and the crew were scouring their guns. The people were in a terrible state and summoned a witch, who offered to help in exchange for the second piece of the ox on Foula Skerry.
She warned the people to secure their skeos [huts]. She went to the hall [the only two-storey building on the isle] and as she mounted the steps the wind grew until it was a raging hurricane. The galleon went onto Stakkabaa and was wrecked.
George Peterson heard the story from a 70-year-old woman.
Recording Location
County - Shetland
Parish - Papa Stour
Island - Papa Stour
Item Location
County - Shetland
Parish - Papa Stour
Island - Papa Stour
Language
English, Scots
Genre
Collection
Source Type
Reel to reel
Audio Quality
Good