How the Ross-shire Hills were formed

This tale is a classic example of the motif of the breaking apron/basket associated with the Cailleach's formation of land features. It was recorded in Miller's Scenes and Legends of the North of Scotland (1835), and it is interesting to see the context that the Cailleach was set into, being linked to Gog-Magog and other giants.

In the distant past the British Isles were ruled by tribes of giants. In the north, in the highlands of Scotland, in what is now Ross-shire, lived such a tribe of giant beings. This primeval tribe was renowned for their strength, and was famous for its incredible kinsfolk, such as Gog-Magog and the Cailleach-Mhore (Great Cailleach). This Cailleach was famed for her strength, even amongst this mightily-hewed tribe.

One day, Cailleach Mhore was walking over the hills with a pannier of earth and rocks on her back. Pausing for breath, she stopped and stood on the site of Ben-Vaichard. As she stood gazing around her, the pannier gave way and all its contents came pouring out. Amidst the noise and chaos the Cailleach-Mhore cursed as her load was scattered. When the dust had cleared her gaze passed over a completely new landscape, with new hills formed by the earth and rocks she had been carrying.

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