The Fairy Flag (in Scottish Gaelic, An Bratach Sith) is a fragment of cloth owned by the Clan MacLeod and preserved at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, where it is on display. Clan MacLeod Crest. ... Dunvegan Castle, looking towards MacLeods Tables Dunvegan Castle is a castle at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland. ... Looking towards Quiraing, Skye. ... Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity1 Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official language(s) English, Gaelic, Scots2 Government  - Queen Queen Elizabeth II  - UK Prime Minister Tony Blair MP  - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification    - by Kenneth I 843  Area    - Total 78,772 km...

Legends

The name fairy flag comes from many legends in which the cloth was connected to the Sidhe, a Gaelic term for various supernatural beings sometimes referred to as the Shining Folk. ^{[citation needed]} In Irish mythology, the sídhe (pronounced shee) are a supernatural race, quite distinct from humankind. ... // Scottish Gaelic (Gàidhlig) is a member of the Goidelic branch of Celtic languages. ...

In one such story, the chieftain's son was wrapped in the cloth by a fairy lady; in another, the chieftain took a fairy woman as a wife and she brought the cloth to the marriage; in a third, the banner was brought to Dunvegan by a MacLeod chieftain after years spent with the Sidhe. ^{[citation needed]}

Another legend says that, if unfurled, the flag will save the clan from disaster. This can only be done three times. Supposedly, the flag has been unfurled twice in the past, although accounts differ on exactly when. ^{[citation needed]}

Origins

The Dunvegan castle web site states that the flag is made from silk and originated in the Middle East ("Syria or Rhodes") some time between the fourth and seventh centuries CE. A related legend holds that King Harald Hardråde acquired the flag while raiding in the Middle East, making it his own banner and naming it Land-ravager. Harald died in 1066 at the Battle of Stamford Bridge near York, England; a MacLeod legend says clansmen at the battle brought the flag to Skye. Era Vulgaris redirects here. ... Harald III Sigurdsson (1015 – September 25, 1066), later surnamed Harald HardrÃ¥de (Old Norse: Haraldr harðráði, roughly translated as Harald stern council or hard ruler) was the king of Norway from 1047[1] until 1066. ... Combatants Norwegians, Northumbrian rebels, small numbers of Scots Anglo-Saxon England Commanders Harald HardrÃ¥de† Harold Godwinson Strength Uncertain, possibly 7500 men or more Unknown Casualties Unknown, reportedly very heavy. ... York is a city in North Yorkshire, England, at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss. ...

External links

• Dunvegan Castle's webpage, including a photo of the flag
• Clan MacLeod's website