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Blue Men of the Minch
Blue-skinned men who swim the strait between Lewis and the Shiant Isles. They challenge passing ships to rhyming contests. Fail the contest, and they capsize your boat and drown the crew.
Ancient - Present
Outer Hebrides, Scotland
100+ witnesses
The Blue Men of the Minch are mythological creatures from Scottish folklore, inhabiting the strait between Lewis and the Shiant Isles.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The Blue Men:
- Inhabit the Minch strait
- Have blue-gray skin
- Challenge ships to rhyming contests
- Can control storms
- Will drown those who fail
Appearance
The Blue Men appear as:
- Human-sized men
- Blue or gray skin
- Long gray faces
- Strong swimmers
- Live in underwater caves
The Challenge
How they attack:
- Rise from the water
- Challenge the captain
- To a contest of rhymes
- If the captain wins, safe passage
- If he fails, they capsize the ship
The Rhyming Contest
The contest rules:
- The Blue Men start a verse
- The captain must complete it
- With a perfect rhyme
- And continue the contest
- Until one side fails
Origin Theories
Some believe they are:
- Fallen angels
- Moorish slaves who escaped
- Ancient sea gods
- Spirits of drowned men
- Finfolk relatives
Protection
To survive:
- Have a quick-witted captain
- Learn poetry and rhymes
- Keep calm during the challenge
- Never show fear
- Perfect your verse skills