The colour white is associated with purity and in the early Celtic culture white represented the otherworld. So there would have been something mystical as well as mythical about a white stag. White stags have been closely identified with the mythical unicorn. Today people protect any known white stags and the hunting of these beasts is ‘frowned upon’. It is certainly said that bad luck will befall on anyone who kills one.

The White Stag
tune – Chi mi na monaidhnean

A stag he did roam the estate all around
In summer the bens and glens he’d be found
In winter he thrived on sheltered home ground
The white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

His coat it was rare it made him stand out
Was unique of that ‘twas no doubt
Lots of interest from estates all about
The white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

When the ‘gentry’ were out on the hill
Always instructed for him not to kill
Allow him the freedom to wander at will
The white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

‘Toffs’ from afar to see him they came
Word spread about the stag he had fame
No more a secret his coat did remain
The white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

He returned to low ground year after year
Seasons passed of men lost all fear
gainst him to act now it was clear
The white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

Others did follow crops were destroyed
The man at the helm his gun he deployed
A privileged life it’s true he enjoyed
The white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

The man with the gun took steady aim
One fatal shot the stag felt no pain
One last proud step but all was in vain
For the white stag that roamed Eilean Darach

Now it is said that the man had regret
His actions that day he’d never forget
But duty required the crops to protect
From the white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

The man who took aim did have remorse
To pull the trigger his will he did force
For nature did not have the chance to take course
On the white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.

His head he did mount onto a frame
His link with the stag would forever remain
A ‘special’ place in his heart he’d contain
For the white stag that roamed Eilean Darach.