The Dream Makers of Skye

The Isle of Skye is a mystical place, full of stories, magic and danger. People often went missing amongst the jagged peaks of the Cuillins, but the girl picking berries there was so engrossed in her work that she hadn’t realised how high she had wandered. 

When she looked up, she found herself completely lost and surrounded by a thick fog. Turning around, the girl almost screamed when she noticed dozens of eyes peering at her, before realising it was just a herd of deer. 

With few options, the girl followed them deeper into the mountains and eventually into a cave where an ancient man and woman sat. Clearing her throat, the young girl asked if she could stay, just for a night. The answer came: “Either stay and work for a year and a night or leave now.” 

Every day she would help the woman pick herbs, milk deer and make soft cheese. Every night, the old man would stare into the pool while moulding that cheese into shapes. 

He would raise these creations above his head as birds swooped in to grab them. They were dreams, made with inspiration from the Pool of Life. Beautiful birds would grab the sweet, pleasant dreams from the man’s right hand while from the left, dark crows would pluck terrifying nightmares. 

It was the same every day until a year and a night had passed. When the time came for the girl to leave, the old woman told her she would soon be rewarded for her efforts. With that, the deer led her safely away down a track. 

Eventually, she arrived at an unfamiliar shore where a small boat was approaching fast. A handsome young man leapt from the vessel, ran over and fell at her feet. He declared that he had followed his dreams of her for a year and a night and if she was willing, he would make her a queen. 

Something about the man spoke to her soul and she willingly sailed away to her new home. The girl from Skye was adored by all, for more than just her kindness, but because she could teach them the meaning of their dreams.