#dunscaith

[trans-cuchulainn]

modern AU where cú chulainn and fer diad met at military school

[finnlongman]

Dunscaith, Isle of Skye, 2018 (Ulidia-Finn) | Emain Mhacha, Co. Armagh, 2024 (Ulidia 7)

Would visit sites associated with Cú Chulainn with a group of Ulster Cycle specialists again 👍 Though might invest in a new raincoat before the next one, as this one is evidently getting on in years.

[blairstales]

Isle of Skye(Scotland): Land of Warrior Women

I try to stick to Scottish folklore, but even though this one is from Irish mythology, it has ties with Scotland.

Scáthach is a Scottish warrior woman from Irish lore, and she is not just described as being from Scotland, but specifically from the Isle of Skye.

“What is interesting in Irish myth, however, it the appearance of female warriors who are not queens, but professional warriors. The best known among them is Scathach (shadowy one) whose school of martial arts was situated on the Isle of Skye, Sgiathanach, in modern Scots Gaelic.” Celtic Women: Women in Celtic Society and Literature: Peter Berresford Ellis (1995)

She would not train just anyone, however. No, she would only train people already talented enough to be worthy of her time, which meant they would have to be able to force their way into her fortress. If they could do that, she might consider training them.

In tales, the Irish warrior, Cú Chulainn, was sent there with a few others, and it is there that Scáthach teaches them to fight. It is even her who gives Cú Chulainn his famous spear, Gáe Bulg.

Her residence was said to be at Dún Scáith, and legend says that the ruins of Dunscaith Castle is the same spot where Dún Scáith once stood.

While looking up how to try and pronounce Dún Scáith, I accidently found out that it is also a location in Final Fantasy XIV, so there you go, Final Fantasy fans.; this is where the name came from.

[saltirebookreviews]

Book: The Highlander’s Wild Flame

Author: Heather McCollum

Series: Brotherhood of Solway Moss, book 1

Release date: July 23, 2024

Publisher: Entangled

Book Length: 356 Pages

Overall rating: 5/5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flag

Isle of Skye, Scotland, 1544

Rory MacLeod also known as the Lion of Skye being the commander of the MacLeod warriors as he has not had an easy life. First he takes his father’s heir’s place at Solway Moss where he was captured by the English and lives in prison with three of his enemies for over a year. However his father was dead, unknown to him and his brother the current laird acted like he was already dead. His brother Jamie was cruel and selfish and acted like Rory was already dead! It was the same for all the prisoners no one brought them any provisions that would make prison life easier! No food, blankets or coins, they became brothers realizing England was their true enemy and eventually escaped together.

Rory meets Sara MacDonald not realizing it was his disloyal brothers betrothed. A lass who had a talent for healing and a love for dogs. However, his disloyal brother Jamie already had a mistress, was a liar and only cared about his own selfish desires. Afterall his father was dead and Rory did not hear from anyone in over a year in that stinking prison. His brother acted as if Rory died too, not expecting for him to return to their MacLeod family at Dunvegan Castle.

Rory was very disappointed when he discovered he was attracted to his new almost sister-in-law. Except after the wedding ceremony was over Sara noticed something was wrong and all The MacDonald warriors were missing. Then the MacDonald clan were trying to lock them in the church and burn them to death! They thought they could steal The MacLeod holdings and lands with this mass murder! Walter MacDonald had been a horrible father Sara’s entire life calling her ugly because of a birthmark. He even asked her to become their spy and steal the fairy flag once she was married to the MacLeod Laird.

At first Rory felt Sara was part of the MacDonalds plan to do a mass murder of the entire MacLeod clan. He destroys all evidence of a marriage until he realizes she was trying to save them. For this her MacDonald Chieftain was furious and just abandoned Sara feeling she betrayed them! The last thing Chief Walter MasDonald wanted was peace with the MacLeod’s even with a marriage alliance. He always told her how ugly she was not any good for him in alliance knowing she would never be with his allies but good enough with their enemies!

The MacDonald chief abandons her knowing she would be blamed especially after calling her The Flame of Dunscaith

to take the punishments of all his cruel, deceptive, murderous, intentions no matter what the cost! Thinking he could own MacLeod land and holdings, especially the Fairy Flag! Her father knew she had warned the MacLeods and felt she had betrayed him and her clan! This MacDonald Chief and Sara’s father never showed her any kind of love or emotion. She only stayed there to care for her twelve year old sister with a spinal condition. Another female child he rejects.

Now her wedded husband Jamie MacLeod is between life and death. However the attraction between Rory and Sara just grows, as Rory is confused having been betrayed by a MacDonald lass he cared for in the past. However it took over a decade for his MacLeod clan to trust him again. Do Rory and Sara have a chance at a HEA? Furthermore, will these feelings they have for each other start a war? Read and find out!

My go-to-author Heather MacLeod pens another brilliant book I could not put down. I love when true history is weaved with a fictional romance that is always phenomenal. I am a big fan of the real MacLeod Clan with the fairy flag that still exists at Dunvegan castle today. It is in the Isle of Skye, in Scotland with other treasured artifacts that are truly magical. An area of Scotland that I have visited with the breathtaking fairy pools, enchanting gardens and lovely hiking area too. As for this reason the book had me mesmerized right from the start. I absolutely loved Rory and Sara’s story and look forward to the next book in this new series! It is definitely a book readers do not want to miss!

Disclaimer: I received a free advance readers copy from Entangled publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through netgalley. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.

[celticbarb]

Book: The Highlander’s Wild Flame

Author: Heather McCollum

Series: Brotherhood of Solway Moss, book 1

Release date: July 23, 2024

Publisher: Entangled

Book Length: 356 Pages

Overall rating: 5/5 Stars

Blog Rating: 5/5 Saltire Flag

Isle of Skye, Scotland, 1544

Rory MacLeod also known as the Lion of Skye being the commander of the MacLeod warriors as he has not had an easy life. First he takes his father’s heir’s place at Solway Moss where he was captured by the English and lives in prison with three of his enemies for over a year. However his father was dead, unknown to him and his brother the current laird acted like he was already dead. His brother Jamie was cruel and selfish and acted like Rory was already dead! It was the same for all the prisoners no one brought them any provisions that would make prison life easier! No food, blankets or coins, they became brothers realizing England was their true enemy and eventually escaped together.

Rory meets Sara MacDonald not realizing it was his disloyal brothers betrothed. A lass who had a talent for healing and a love for dogs. However, his disloyal brother Jamie already had a mistress, was a liar and only cared about his own selfish desires. Afterall his father was dead and Rory did not hear from anyone in over a year in that stinking prison. His brother acted as if Rory died too, not expecting for him to return to their MacLeod family at Dunvegan Castle.

Rory was very disappointed when he discovered he was attracted to his new almost sister-in-law. Except after the wedding ceremony was over Sara noticed something was wrong and all The MacDonald warriors were missing. Then the MacDonald clan were trying to lock them in the church and burn them to death! They thought they could steal The MacLeod holdings and lands with this mass murder! Walter MacDonald had been a horrible father Sara’s entire life calling her ugly because of a birthmark. He even asked her to become their spy and steal the fairy flag once she was married to the MacLeod Laird.

At first Rory felt Sara was part of the MacDonalds plan to do a mass murder of the entire MacLeod clan. He destroys all evidence of a marriage until he realizes she was trying to save them. For this her MacDonald Chieftain was furious and just abandoned Sara feeling she betrayed them! The last thing Chief Walter MasDonald wanted was peace with the MacLeod’s even with a marriage alliance. He always told her how ugly she was not any good for him in alliance knowing she would never be with his allies but good enough with their enemies!

The MacDonald chief abandons her knowing she would be blamed especially after calling her The Flame of Dunscaith! This was to take the punishments of all his cruel, deceptive, murderous, intentions no matter what the cost! Thinking he could own MacLeod land and holdings, especially the Fairy Flag! Her father knew she had warned the MacLeods and felt she had betrayed him and her clan! This MacDonald Chief and Sara’s father never showed her any kind of love or emotion. She only stayed there to care for her twelve year old sister with a spinal condition. Another female child he rejects.

Now her wedded husband Jamie MacLeod is between life and death. However the attraction between Rory and Sara just grows, as Rory is confused having been betrayed by a MacDonald lass he cared for in the past. However it took over a decade for his MacLeod clan to trust him again. Do Rory and Sara have a chance at a HEA? Furthermore, will these feelings they have for each other start a war? Read and find out!

My go-to-author Heather MacLeod pens another brilliant book I could not put down. I love when true history is weaved with a fictional romance that is always phenomenal. I am a big fan of the real MacLeod Clan with the fairy flag that still exists at Dunvegan castle today. It is in the Isle of Skye, in Scotland with other treasured artifacts that are truly magical. An area of Scotland that I have visited with the breathtaking fairy pools, enchanting gardens and lovely hiking area too. As for this reason the book had me mesmerized right from the start. I absolutely loved Rory and Sara’s story and look forward to the next book in this new series! It is definitely a book readers do not want to miss!

Disclaimer: I received a free advance readers copy from Entangled publishing. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog through netgalley. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.

[laimelady]

Fortress of Shadows by SkyeWeasel Via Flickr: Sunset at the ruin of Dunscaith Castle, dating from the 13th century - legendary home of a warrior queen, at Tokavaig on the Isle of Skye. Explored (Number 47) March 15, 2022.

[yesthemanekineko]

Sometimes it isn’t such a bad thing after all to accidentally lock yourself out of the last boss fight in Dun Scaith, so you notice the beautiful scenery with eyeball flowers. There are so many details we miss running dungeons. One day I want to find a group that will go on a site seeing tour with me and let me get lots of pictures.

[littlemissrauru-blog]

Neroki, Ansel, Aaydan, and myself in Dun Scaith!~ Jet, Axel, and yours truely once again! 

[emletish-fish]

Dunscaith Castle Ruins,  and the view from the out battlement of the castle back towards the Cuiliins Mountains.

[darcaoc-blog]

As the darkness turns and runs, the light may shine too bright. Bring the shadows. Feel the sorrow. For, without it, what is joy? #shadowbringers #shadowbringersffxiv #finalfantasyxiv #ffxiv #finalfantasy #finalfantasy14 #ff14 #finalfantasyxivscreenshot #ffxivscreenshots #heavensward #arealmreborn #stormblood #dunscaith #diablos #fullmoon https://www.instagram.com/p/BzCvgtOFWDx/?igshid=rho2qlpvg70v

[itsthirdnature]

#ffxiv No one's queueing for #DunScaith 😭

[finnlongman]

If I remember correctly, that Dunscaith photo is from a rock close to but not actually inside the "fort", but that is not as good a caption.

There WAS a treacherous bridge. We shuffled across it very carefully. There were no salmon leaps.

[vla-len]

FF１４より耳と尻尾見えないけどミコッテ魔道士

[sir-adamus]

so, after making some changes, struggling to find character allusions and having to rename one of the team members so i’d have an initial i can fit into a reasonable-ish team name, i have the concept descriptions of this RWBY fan-team down, below the cut, i give you Team HRTS - i am open to any feedback on these:

Team HRTS are a “technically-graduated” Huntress team operating out of Vale; they had rushed back to the school from a mission as the attack began, arriving at the city far too late to do anything but help pick up the pieces.

After a hasty, informal graduation from Acting Headmistress Glynda Goodwitch, they’re taking to their roles as Huntresses in a world now fumbling in the dark, no matter how futile it seems right now.

Alice Heddwyn – Leader, based on Alice in Wonderland. Rabbit Faunus. 21 years old.

Weapon: “Vorpal Blade” – Sword – fitted with grooves that slot different combinations of Dust types in depending on the mode, mode is selected by twisting the handle in combinations only Alice knows. Examples: “Snicker-Snack” mode – Default, no Dust. “Frumious” mode – Fire and Rock Dust. “Slithy” mode – Water and Gravity Dust. “Tulgey” mode – Plant and Wind Dust. “Mimsy” mode – Electricity Dust. Alice utilises a fast series of swings, dealing physical and elemental damage to wear down her opponents defenses.

Semblance: “Wonderland” – by expending Aura, Alice can summon an “imaginary friend” (similar to Weiss’s summons) that acts as an autonomous entity on the battlefield. Only one friend can be summoned at a time, cannot split into multiple entities, and as Alice is not directly in control of the friends, she must be careful who she picks as they may prove to be more a hindrance than a help. Risk factor: if she gets too carried away with her imagination, her Aura drains faster. Optimal usage is in small bursts rather than a continuous battlefield presence.

Personality: Charismatic, friendly and airy (in general, weird girl energy), able to balance the personalities within her team and respond to feedback from her teammates. Has a notable childish streak (she sometimes talks to her imaginary friends, so she seems weird to other people but – understandably – the line where she ends and the imaginary friends her Semblance manifests, and how sapient they are on their own, is blurry), and can be quite stubborn, especially towards authority figures when she believes she knows better. Quite talkative and blunt.

Appearance: Long, white rabbit ears. Short, platinum blonde hair – “punky” hairstyle? Blue eyes. Freckles and a tan due to outdoorsy nature. Shortest member of her team at 5’4’’. Outfit: Azure blue hairband. Blue combat skort (with pockets). White belt – pocket-watch hanging from it (gift/memento from a parent referencing the White Rabbit?) and Pumpkin Pete keychain. Wears black knee and wrist support braces and blue fingerless gloves. Black combat boots with blue lining/laces and cute white bows on the back. White tank top, black high collar crop puffer jacket (blue interior lining, stripes down the arms and accents), sleeves pushed up to her elbows.

Aura Colour: White

Emblem: Keyhole shape - splashed on the back of her jacket in white.

Background: Alice is the daughter of a Faunus and a human – her human parent is from the wealthier side of Vale (befitting the crown imagery and also alluding to original Alice being kind of upper class), she grew up in a large home in Vale, filled with extended family (some of whom she’s not entirely sure she’s actually related to), full of eccentricity and play; encouraging her wild imagination. She wanted to be a Huntress due to her imaginative spirit and romantic ideals about adventures and heroism. Initially she was quite a socially awkward, isolated loner outside of her home as she was often singled out as the weird kid (if she wasn’t being targeted for being a Faunus), while she studied at Pharos Academy, so initially it took a while for her to open up and rely on her team, at which point her more extroverted tendencies became apparent.

Rowena Argentum – based on Treasure Island. Human. 21 years old.

Weapon: “Flint and Bones” - Twin pistols that can combine and extend into an anti-material rifle (“The Captain”) – this mode has a lot of recoil, so Rowena’s prosthetic leg can double as a mount for it for long range shots.

Semblance: None – her Semblance was stolen not long after it unlocked when she was young, as collateral following a hit job by the assassin Marcus Black.

Personality: Cheerful and perhaps overly friendly, Rowena maintains a humble and optimistic outlook, sharing Alice’s eagerness for adventure. Unlike Alice, however, Rowena masks a hard edge, brought on by a life living unprotected by the Kingdoms; she’s an impressive liar, excellent at gathering information and pickpocketing. She has a vengeful streak and her impulsiveness often gets her into trouble, though it has tempered over the years.

Appearance: Long, loose green hair and coal-black irises. 5’8’’. She has a few scars on her arms and face from a rough life outside the Kingdoms, one notable one being a scar extending from the left edge of her mouth in a jagged “smile”. Rowena lost her left leg in the same incident she lost her Semblance; it has since been replaced with a simple prosthesis that she has modified to double as a mount for The Captain. She has a pirate aesthetic, wearing a loose blouse under a long double-breasted coat-jacket. Under her jacket she wears suspenders, which have the holsters for Flint and Bones attached. She wears several belts around her waist, loose-fitting trousers tucked into knee-high buckle boots. Colour scheme primarily green and silver.

Aura Colour: Silver

Emblem: A stylised Hawk from a top-down view, with its wings spread; worn on her belt buckle and tattooed on her right wrist.

Background: Rowena grew up outside the protection of the Kingdoms, hailing from a small seaside town. She saw numerous bandits and pirates coming through town on a daily basis, and would often be regaled with stories of swashbuckling adventure by the friendlier visitors. Until the day came that a notorious pirate made port in the town, and the place was set ablaze after his subsequent assassination by Marcus Black. Rowena’s Semblance was unlocked in the panic, only to be immediately stolen by Marcus on his way through, endangering the child’s life as her home burned around her, and the Grimm set in. She lost her leg as a result. Determined to never let this happen anywhere else, she dedicated her life to becoming a Huntress, traveling all over (including some time spent in Kuchinashi) and fighting to survive, learning whatever skills she had to until she was old enough to take the exam at Beacon Academy – and keeping an ear to the ground in case a certain assassin ever showed his face again.

Titania Ianthe – based on the Fairy Queen. Human. 21 years old.

Weapon: “Graviton Reign” – Glaive weapon, reach for crowd control. Contains a mechanism which uses Gravity Dust inside the blade, furthering crowd control ability, either with repulsing strikes or anchoring opponents as they are swept away.

Semblance: “Attraction” – Titania emits a low-level psychic field that makes everyone and everything pay attention to her. Effect is passive and subtle most of the time, but she can use her Aura to concentrate the effect as a pulse in battle (extending the radius of her Area of Effect to 15 meters); drawing aggro from people and Grimm alike.

Personality: Aloof, confident and proud, Titania didn’t come to Beacon to make friends, but there she found a family. Titania has a lot of walls up, and is often frustrated that her teammates seem determined to clamber over every single one. Despite her exasperation though, she loves her team and would do anything for them, even if it means administering some tough love once in a while. She has difficulty in social situations, and has a tendency to try and shoulder too much responsibility at once. She is also sometimes insecure, due to the nature of her Semblance, whether anyone truly likes her.

Appearance: Wavy, shoulder length dark brown hair, pinned back so it won’t get in her eyes. Dark purple eyes. She has light brown skin, a toned, athletic physique and is noted as the most beautiful of her team. Tallest member of the team at 6’2’’. Outfit: Wears a purple and black sleeveless, hooded top (hood is usually kept up). Black, segmented armoured bracers with silver accents over black gloves. A loose, knee-length faded purple skirt over biker shorts. Heeled black boots with purple laces and zippers.

Aura Colour: Purple

Emblem: A tiara with a large central peak – shaped with interwoven lines and swirls

Background: Titania hails from Vacuo, originally from a small community near the edge of the Kingdom. She grew up hearing old stories about famous Huntsmen and Huntresses, especially enamoured with legendary Huntresses like Opal or the Grimm Reaper. Eager to see the world beyond the sands, and assured in herself that she would one day be talked about in stories too, she trained to fight, traveling to Vale where she could begin her legend. She quickly found recognition and popularity at Beacon; she just wishes people would stop asking her out on dates.

Sable Dunscaith – based on Scáthach. Human. 21 years old.

Weapon: “Nightfall Breach” – a spear with multiple configurations. Its compact form can fire crossbow bolts (charged with explosive Dust) out of the spear tip. The default form functions as a regular spear weapon and can be thrown as a javelin – the spearhead has a hidden function, releasing explosive barbs for additional damage after making contact. The pole-vault form is exactly what it says on the tin, extending out and allowing Sable to pole-vault over or across obstacles, retracting rapidly to allow for aerial manoeuvres whilst she’s in the air. She can also throw Nightfall Breach as a javelin, and relies on martial arts training until she can retrieve it.

Semblance: “Phantom” – able to utilise any shadow within a 40-foot radius as a portal as long as she is stood within the shadow (and it isn’t her own) – she can then appear from any shadow of her choosing (the further away, the higher the cost on her Aura). She can also utilise portals at a distance by throwing objects, such as Nightfall Breach, giving her an advantage in combat by making her hard to predict. Her Semblance’s effectiveness is drastically increased at night, but incredibly diminished in wide open areas, especially during the day when there’s little to cast shadows.

Personality: In contrast to her gloomy appearance, Sable is as much of an excitable nerd as her leader, as well as the de facto team mom. Sable is often on the side-lines in conversations, which suits her just fine, but she’s always watching out for everyone and there to lend a supportive hand when it’s needed. In spite of her quiet appearance, she’s also a bit of a prankster and can be very competitive, especially when her twin is involved. Her calm, warm demeanour however masks a fiery and brutal warrior with a number of tricks up her sleeve that let her control the flow of battle while maintaining a sharp degree of unpredictability.

Appearance: Red hair kept in a short ponytail. Vivid crimson eyes. Pale complexion. In general, she has a very Gothic aesthetic. 5’11’’. Outfit: Sable dresses in mainly black with some silver accents. She wears a long, fishtail coat with a fur-lined collar, long trousers and fur-lined heeled boots.

Aura Colour: Black

Emblem: A Castle – embroidered in silver on the back of her coat.

Background: Sable grew up on the island of Patch off the coast of Vale, and like many, attended Signal Academy in hopes of one day being accepted into Beacon – being a Huntress like her mother and grandmother was the dream. Sable’s twin, Astrid, determined to outshine her, followed her on this path, becoming a rival that pushes Sable to become ever stronger. When initiation put them each on different teams, this rivalry grew even fiercer; now in their fourth year and on the cusp of becoming fully licensed Huntresses, tensions between the twins are edging towards a fever pitch.

[adventuresoftommycandroxyc]

Duntulum Castle 

If you thought Dunscaith Castle was in a state, stand by. There is a little monument to commemorate the Macarthurs the hereditary pipers to the MacDonald’s of the isles. Pretty cool, huh? -TommyC.

Another scheduled ancient monument on the misty isle. Like Dunscaith Castle Duntulum Castle is associated with its own legends. Built in the 14th and 15th century Duntulum Castle is associated with the Clan McLeod and Clan MacDonald. Local legend has it that the castle was abandoned after the son of the chiefdon at the time fell from a window and lost his life on the rocks below. Apparently the nurse-maid who was responsible for looking after the child was set adrift in the North Atlantic on a small boat -RoxyC. 

Cost: Free 

Opening hours: 24/7 

Visited 186/2814 on our jollies…

https://www.tumblr.com/blog/adventuresoftommycandroxyc

CLICK HERE ->Check out this site on our adventure map <- CLICK HERE

[warsung-a]

👏 don’t 👏heal 👏 if 👏 you 👏 are 👏 going 👏 to 👏 complain 👏 about 👏 healing 👏