The Corrywreckan Whirlpool

For centuries sailors have feared the unpredictable nature of the Corryvreckan whirlpool, telling tales of how it reflected the Cailleach's moods. Traditionally it was claimed that foam or small wavelets meant the Cailleach is treading her laundry, and that if you heard a noise like thunder the Cailleach was sneezing, and you should beware. Both these signs were ones to avoid and avoiding the whirlpool after seeing the foam or hearing the sneeze, would ensure living another day.

The locals described the sounds as being heard for many miles for days before the coming of winter.

"Before the washing the roar of a coming tempest
is heard by people on the coast for a distance of twenty miles,
and for a period of three days before the cauldron boils.
When the washing is over the plaid of old Scotland is virgin white."

[From Visions of the Cailleach, by Sorita d'Este and David Rankine.]