Brahan Seer
Encyclopedia
The Brahan Seer, known in his native Scottish Gaelic as Coinneach Odhar. Some have questioned whether he really existed at all. He is thought to have come from Uig
on lands owned by the Seaforth
s, and to have been a Mackenzie
, although both these details are in themselves questioned. He is better known, however, for his connections to Brahan Castle
near Dingwall
, and the Black Isle
in Easter Ross
.
He is thought to have used a stone with a hole in the middle to see his visions. The Brahan Seer worked for the third Earl of Seaforth
, Kenneth MacKenzie (died 1678).
As with Nostradamus
, who wrote in Provençal, most of his prophecies are best known in translation, which can in itself be deceptive. However, there are no contemporary manuscripts or accounts of his predictions, so it is impossible to verify them.
near Dingwall
, in what is now the county of Easter Ross
. This led to an unfortunately unforeseen sequence of events on the Seer's part, leading to his barbaric murder at Chanonry Point
, allegedly burnt in a spiked tar barrel, on the command of Lady Seaforth. The simple prediction that led to his downfall — that the absent Earl of Seaforth was having extramarital sex with one or more women in Paris — seems not unlikely, but of course highly outrageous to Lady Seaforth, as it cast her husband in a scandalous light and heaped embarrassment on her.
This is a remarkable prediction - firstly, there was already a passage for shipping - the River Ness, on the opposite south side of Tomnahurich Hill from today's canal - and the only choice for boats in the Brahan Seer's day. To say that ships would sail round the opposite side of the hill from the river seemed highly illogical to those who first heard the prediction.
But the prediction came true. Today the 19th century Caledonian Canal forks off from the River Ness
at the eastern head of Loch Ness
- which continues its route through Inverness
town centre - and heads north-east "round the back of Tomnahurich", exiting into the Moray Firth
at Clachnaharry
.
In 1851, the now-ruined tower was being used by a farmer to store hay, and a cow gave birth in the garret. It is believed that the animal, following a trail of hay, entered the tower, climbed to the top, and got stuck. Both the cow and the calf were taken down five days later, allowing enough time for people to come and see the prophecy fulfilled.
This was one of four prophecies by the Seer regarding Fairburn, at least three of which are reputed to have been fulfilled.
the gift land of the estate would be sold and the male line become extinct and that this would occur while there were four great contemporary lords distinguished by physical defects which he described. The four were Sir Hector Mackenzie, Bt of Gairloch (who was buck-toothed), Chisholm of Chisholm (squint-eyed/crooked eyed and hare-lipped), Grant of Grant (half-witted) and MacLeod of Raasay (a stammerer). Lord Seaforth's last surviving son died 1814 at about the time that he sold certain gift lands.
Inverness that there would be worldwide chaos. In August 1939 there were five bridges over the Ness and on September 1 the same year Hitler invaded Poland.
He said that when there were nine bridges that there would be fire, flood and calamity. The ninth bridge was built in 1987 and in 1988 the Piper Alpha
disaster happened.
". And in due course the mono-pod (one-legged) oil platform the Ninian Central was built on the west coast at Kishorn and installed in the North Sea
, where it has produced oil and flared (burned) gas for many years since. Nigg is the site of another Scottish oil rig manufacturing facility across the Cromarty Firth
and The Sutors from Cromarty
on the Black Isle, 10 miles from Chanonry Point.
The Brahan Seer predicted that the bridge over the Kyle of Sutherland at Bonar Bridge
would be "swept away under a flock of sheep".
On January 29, 1892 the Bridge was swept away by a flood. Eyewitnesses "likened the foam-current to a densley packed flock of sheep".
As an example, it is stated that soon after the ninth bridge over the Ness was constructed, the Piper Alpha disaster took place. However, it would be possible to choose virtually any year in the 20th century, and find a disaster of some kind involving fire and flood, though his tendency to limit his predictions to Scotland narrows the options down considerably.
Uig, Lewis
Uig , also known as Sgìr' Ùig, is a civil parish and community on the western coast of the island of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. It consists of scattered settlements around the bay of Camas Uig and the Bhaltos peninsula...
on lands owned by the Seaforth
Earl of Seaforth
Earl of Seaforth was a title in the Peerage of Scotland and Peerage of Great Britain. It was held by the family of Mackenzie from 1623 to 1716, and again from 1771 to 1781....
s, and to have been a Mackenzie
Mackenzie
-People:* Mackenzie , surname origin, and a list of people with the surname..* Mackenzie , name origin, and a list of people with the name.* Clan Mackenzie, a Scottish clan.- Fictional characters:...
, although both these details are in themselves questioned. He is better known, however, for his connections to Brahan Castle
Brahan Castle
Brahan Castle was situated south-west of Dingwall, in Easter Ross, Scotland. The castle belonged to the Earls of Seaforth, chiefs of the Clan Mackenzie, who dominated the area.-History:...
near Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
, and the Black Isle
Black Isle
The Black Isle is an eastern area of the Highland local government council area of Scotland, within the county of Ross and Cromarty. The name nearly always includes the article "the"....
in Easter Ross
Easter Ross
Easter Ross is a loosely defined area in the east of Ross, Highland, Scotland.The name is used in the constituency name Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, which is the name of both a British House of Commons constituency and a Scottish Parliament constituency...
.
He is thought to have used a stone with a hole in the middle to see his visions. The Brahan Seer worked for the third Earl of Seaforth
Earl of Seaforth
Earl of Seaforth was a title in the Peerage of Scotland and Peerage of Great Britain. It was held by the family of Mackenzie from 1623 to 1716, and again from 1771 to 1781....
, Kenneth MacKenzie (died 1678).
As with Nostradamus
Nostradamus
Michel de Nostredame , usually Latinised to Nostradamus, was a French apothecary and reputed seer who published collections of prophecies that have since become famous worldwide. He is best known for his book Les Propheties , the first edition of which appeared in 1555...
, who wrote in Provençal, most of his prophecies are best known in translation, which can in itself be deceptive. However, there are no contemporary manuscripts or accounts of his predictions, so it is impossible to verify them.
Background
Having become famous as a diviner and wit, he was invited to Seaforth territory in the east, to work as a labourer at Brahan CastleBrahan Castle
Brahan Castle was situated south-west of Dingwall, in Easter Ross, Scotland. The castle belonged to the Earls of Seaforth, chiefs of the Clan Mackenzie, who dominated the area.-History:...
near Dingwall
Dingwall
Dingwall is a town and former royal burgh in the Highland council area of Scotland. It has a population of 5,026. It was formerly an east-coast harbor but now lies inland. Dingwall Castle was once the biggest castle north of Stirling. On the town's present-day outskirts lies Tulloch Castle, parts...
, in what is now the county of Easter Ross
Easter Ross
Easter Ross is a loosely defined area in the east of Ross, Highland, Scotland.The name is used in the constituency name Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, which is the name of both a British House of Commons constituency and a Scottish Parliament constituency...
. This led to an unfortunately unforeseen sequence of events on the Seer's part, leading to his barbaric murder at Chanonry Point
Chanonry Point
Chanonry Point lies at the end of Chanonry Ness, a spit of land extending into the Moray Firth between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, Scotland....
, allegedly burnt in a spiked tar barrel, on the command of Lady Seaforth. The simple prediction that led to his downfall — that the absent Earl of Seaforth was having extramarital sex with one or more women in Paris — seems not unlikely, but of course highly outrageous to Lady Seaforth, as it cast her husband in a scandalous light and heaped embarrassment on her.
The Caledonian Canal
"One day ships will sail round the back of Tomnahurich Hill"This is a remarkable prediction - firstly, there was already a passage for shipping - the River Ness, on the opposite south side of Tomnahurich Hill from today's canal - and the only choice for boats in the Brahan Seer's day. To say that ships would sail round the opposite side of the hill from the river seemed highly illogical to those who first heard the prediction.
But the prediction came true. Today the 19th century Caledonian Canal forks off from the River Ness
River Ness
The River Ness is a river flowing from Loch Ness in Scotland, north to Inverness and the Moray Firth. On a hill above the river in Inverness stands Inverness Castle. The river is overlooked by the Eden Court Theatre, one of the largest theatres in Scotland. St. Andrews Cathedral also lies along...
at the eastern head of Loch Ness
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is a large, deep, freshwater loch in the Scottish Highlands extending for approximately southwest of Inverness. Its surface is above sea level. Loch Ness is best known for the alleged sightings of the cryptozoological Loch Ness Monster, also known affectionately as "Nessie"...
- which continues its route through Inverness
Inverness
Inverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
town centre - and heads north-east "round the back of Tomnahurich", exiting into the Moray Firth
Moray Firth
The Moray Firth is a roughly triangular inlet of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness, which is in the Highland council area of north of Scotland...
at Clachnaharry
Clachnaharry
Clachnaharry is a former fishing village, now part of the city of Inverness in the Highland council area of Scotland...
.
Fairburn Tower
According to this prophecy, "The day will come when the MacKenzies of Fairburn shall lose their entire possessions; their castle will become uninhabited and a cow shall give birth to a calf in the uppermost chamber of the tower." This apparently heralded the demise of the MacKenzies of Kintail and Seaforth.In 1851, the now-ruined tower was being used by a farmer to store hay, and a cow gave birth in the garret. It is believed that the animal, following a trail of hay, entered the tower, climbed to the top, and got stuck. Both the cow and the calf were taken down five days later, allowing enough time for people to come and see the prophecy fulfilled.
This was one of four prophecies by the Seer regarding Fairburn, at least three of which are reputed to have been fulfilled.
The deaf Caberfeidh
He predicted that when there should be a deaf CaberfaeFrancis Mackenzie, 1st Baron Seaforth
Francis Humberston Mackenzie, 1st Baron Seaforth FRS was a British politician and general and Chief of the Highland Clan Mackenzie....
the gift land of the estate would be sold and the male line become extinct and that this would occur while there were four great contemporary lords distinguished by physical defects which he described. The four were Sir Hector Mackenzie, Bt of Gairloch (who was buck-toothed), Chisholm of Chisholm (squint-eyed/crooked eyed and hare-lipped), Grant of Grant (half-witted) and MacLeod of Raasay (a stammerer). Lord Seaforth's last surviving son died 1814 at about the time that he sold certain gift lands.
The bridges over the River Ness
He predicted that when there were five bridges over the River Ness inInverness that there would be worldwide chaos. In August 1939 there were five bridges over the Ness and on September 1 the same year Hitler invaded Poland.
He said that when there were nine bridges that there would be fire, flood and calamity. The ninth bridge was built in 1987 and in 1988 the Piper Alpha
Piper Alpha
Piper Alpha was a North Sea oil production platform operated by Occidental Petroleum Ltd. The platform began production in 1976, first as an oil platform and then later converted to gas production. An explosion and resulting fire destroyed it on 6 July 1988, killing 167 men, with only 61...
disaster happened.
Ninian Central Platform
A popular urban legend on the oil rigs of Scotland is that the Seer predicted the appearance of a "one-legged, fire-breathing giant from NiggNigg
-Places:Antarctica* Nigg RockScotland* Nigg, Aberdeen* Nigg, Highland, a village in Easter Ross, Highland; on Nigg Bay, in the Cromarty Firth-See also:* Nigg Stone, a Pictish carved stone in Easter Ross* Nigga, a hip-hop term.* Nigger, a racial slur....
". And in due course the mono-pod (one-legged) oil platform the Ninian Central was built on the west coast at Kishorn and installed in the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
, where it has produced oil and flared (burned) gas for many years since. Nigg is the site of another Scottish oil rig manufacturing facility across the Cromarty Firth
Cromarty Firth
The Cromarty Firth of Cromarty') is an arm of the North Sea in Scotland. It is the middle of the three sea lochs at the head of the Moray Firth: to the north lies the Dornoch Firth, and to the south the Beauly Firth....
and The Sutors from Cromarty
Cromarty
The Royal Burgh of Cromarty is a burgh in Ross and Cromarty, Highland, Scotland.-History:It was previously the county town of the former county of Cromartyshire...
on the Black Isle, 10 miles from Chanonry Point.
Bonar Bridge swept away
According to "The Land of the Mountain and the Flood" by Alasdair Alpin MacGregor:The Brahan Seer predicted that the bridge over the Kyle of Sutherland at Bonar Bridge
Bonar Bridge
Bonar Bridge is a village on the north bank of the Kyle of Sutherland, in the Parish of Creich in the Highland council area of Scotland.The Kyle of Sutherland is a river estuary of the Rivers Oykel, Cassley, Shin and Carron that all enter the Kyle above the bridge at Bonar.The estuary and the...
would be "swept away under a flock of sheep".
On January 29, 1892 the Bridge was swept away by a flood. Eyewitnesses "likened the foam-current to a densley packed flock of sheep".
Sceptical Interpretation
A sceptical analysis of what are popularly described as the Brahan Seer's prophecies would suggest that it is unwise to consider them as such. Rather, they are likely to be simple coincidences. If a large amount of text is scoured, it is not unlikely that one will be able to find statements that can be interpreted as predictions. This is partly because a huge number of statements that do not provide apparent predictions are simply ignored.As an example, it is stated that soon after the ninth bridge over the Ness was constructed, the Piper Alpha disaster took place. However, it would be possible to choose virtually any year in the 20th century, and find a disaster of some kind involving fire and flood, though his tendency to limit his predictions to Scotland narrows the options down considerably.