NotesMuch of the background to this story is based on Scottish folklore and legend, with slices of factual history where required. Scottish folklore has the Washerwoman at the Ford and the Caoineag, as well as mermaids and witches. The story of the Badenoch witches was taken from folklore, although I added the part where the witches, as eagles turned into mountains. However, there are many hills with the name of An Cailleach, meaning old woman or hag throughout the Scottish Highlands including one in Badenoch.
The name An Cailleach may also mean 'veiled one' and could refer to somebody from a different world, the world of the supernatural. In old Gaelic tales, the Cailleach was often Cailleach Bheur, the blue-faced hag or the goddess of winter. She appeared, or was reborn at Samhain, now
