Smelly Shetland Sea Creature
Burra Haaf, a stretch of water off the Shetland Isles, has been the site of some pretty bizarre sightings. In the 1900s, a fishing crew had a close encounter with a mysterious creature that left them shaken. The beast was described as having a sail-like body and a flipper on the end of its nose, and it came close enough to their boat for them to catch a whiff of its pungent stench. The crew reported that the creature destroyed several of their nets, showing its strength and aggression.
The sighting of this strange creature is part of a larger phenomenon of cryptozoological reports in the Shetland Islands. While there's no concrete evidence to prove the existence of such creatures, the accounts from multiple witnesses over the years suggest that there's more to these waters than meets the eye. The fact that the fishing crew was able to get a good look at the creature and even smell its distinctive odour adds credibility to their story. It's a fascinating example of the strange and unexplained phenomena that can be found in the natural world.
The Shetland Islands have a rich history of folklore and myth, with many stories of strange creatures and unexplained phenomena.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Mysterious Isle of Hunda Carcass
Hope of Hunda, Isle of Hunda
On the windswept shores of Hope of Hunda, a bizarre incident took place in February 1942. The remains of a massive creature, stretching 8.5 metres in length, washed up on the beach. Initial speculation identified the carcass as that of a Scapasaurus, a prehistoric marine reptile. However, further examination revealed the creature to be a basking shark, a species not uncommon in British waters. The mix-up highlights the enduring fascination with mysterious sea creatures and the blurred lines between cryptozoology and marine biology.
Phantom Ewe of Sandwick
Nether Benzieclett farm, Sandwick
Nether Benzieclett farm in Sandwick, a small village on the Orkney Islands, is the site of a rather unusual phantom sighting. The ghostly apparition takes the form of an ewe, which is said to appear at the scene of a crime every morning at 1am. According to the account, the ewe is the spirit of a man who was murdered, and his restless soul has taken on this unusual form. The farm, unfortunately, is no longer standing, which might explain why this haunting hasn't been extensively documented or widely publicised.
Executed Man of Arnish
Loch along A858 between town and Stornoway?, Arnish
This windswept loch, situated along the A858 between Arnish and Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a man who met a grisly end. Local legend tells the story of a man who was executed in Stornoway for murdering a student he had taken on a bird hunting trip. It's said that the victim accompanied him on a hunting excursion, but their adventure took a dark turn, ultimately leading to the student's death. The executed man's spirit is believed to haunt the spot where the killing took place, a spot that now lies beside this tranquil yet eerie loch.
Blood Flake Prophecy
Spring at Kilbarry, Barra
The Spring at Kilbarry on the island of Barra was once a place of eerie fascination. Locals believed this unassuming spring held a dark secret - it could foretell the coming of war. When peace reigned, pieces of peat would float harmlessly in the water, but in times of conflict, the spring's waters would turn a sickly hue, containing flakes of blood. This strange phenomenon has been etched into the annals of local legend, leaving us to wonder if the spring was indeed a harbinger of doom.
Mermaid of Caolas Cumhan
Reef in Caolas Cumhan, Barra
Deep within the rugged landscape of the Outer Hebrides, the Caolas Cumhan reef in Barra has borne witness to a most unusual and intriguing encounter. It was here that crofter Colin Campbell had a startling experience, one that would etch itself into local folklore. While out and about, Campbell raised his rifle, poised to fire at what he thought was an otter making off with a fish. But in a split second, he realised his mistake - the creature was no ordinary otter, but a mermaid, cradling a child in her arms.
Mysterious Sea Creature Sighting
Inganess Bay, Kirkwall
Inganess Bay in Kirkwall, Orkney Islands, is known for its rugged coastline and rich marine life. But it's also a place where the ordinary and the unknown can collide. In the early 20th century, two children out picking whelks were shocked to encounter a mystery sea creature at the water's edge. The creature was described as being black in colour and far bigger than a seal. This sighting has remained a fascinating footnote in the region's history, sparking curiosity and debate among locals and visitors alike.