Mysterious Grave of the “Great Shaw”

Have you ever heard of the grave of Seath Mor Sgorfhiaclach, also known as “The Great Shaw”? This 14th-century grave is located in the kirkyard of St Tuchaldus in the Rothiemurchus Estate in the Scottish Highlands. The site is famous for its cursed homing stones, ghostly sightings, and an elf-like spirit known as the Guardian Spirit of the Grave or the Bordach an Duin.

The grave of The Great Shaw is marked with a tribute to the man who was “Victor in the Combat at Perth in 1396” and the only man to survive the Battle of The Clans. On top of the grave are five cylindrical granite stones, known as the cursed homing stones, said to represent those who survived the battle. It is said that those who tamper with these stones will suffer serious illness or death, and the center stone is rumored to be the deadliest of all.

To protect visitors, an iron cage was placed over the grave in 1983. Despite the well-known folklore that surrounds the grave, there are still those willing to test their luck and see if these stories are true. There have been several documented cases of individuals who suffered ill-fated consequences after touching the stones. For example, a footman who threw one of the stones into the River Spey was found drowned three days later, and a journalist who lifted a stone above his head was killed in a car crash only hours later.

The Guardian Spirit of the Shaws, or the Bordach an Duin, is said to guard the grave. This elf-like spirit with a raging temper was once the guardian of the Rothiemurchus Estate when it was held by the Shaws, and after ownership fell into the hands of the Grants, it began guarding Seath’s grave.

The grave of The Great Shaw is a unique and fascinating site in the Scottish Highlands with a rich history and folklore. Although it is encased in an iron cage for protection, the tales of its cursed homing stones and the Guardian Spirit of the Grave continue to intrigue and captivate visitors. So, if you ever find yourself in the Rothiemurchus Estate, take a visit to the grave of The Great Shaw, but be cautious and don’t tamper with the stones!