THE JOURNEY TO SCOTLAND
When Cú Chulainn set out to court Emer, her father, Forgall the Wily, was determined to keep them apart. Knowing Cú Chulainn’s restless nature, he devised a plan.
Disguising himself as a merchant from Gaul, Forgall visited King Conchobar’s court and spoke of Scáthach, the greatest trainer of warriors in the world. He questioned why the Red Branch warriors had never trained with her.
Hearing this, Cú Chulainn’s curiosity was sparked. Never satisfied with his skills, he immediately decided to seek out Scáthach.
Two of the greatest Red Branch warriors, Lóegaire Búadach and Conall Cernach, agreed to accompany him.
Scáthach’s home lay far across the sea on an island in Alba (Scotland). But before they even reached her lands, Forgall sent a vision of Emain Macha, overwhelming Lóegaire and Conall with homesickness. They turned back to Ireland, leaving Cú Chulainn alone in the wilderness.
THE LION-BEAST AND A STRANGER’S HELP
Determined, Cú Chulainn journeyed on, though he had no clear path to follow.
One day, a massive lion-like beast appeared, blocking his way. It did not attack but leapt in front of him each time he tried to move. Eventually, Cú Chulainn understood—it wanted to help him.
He climbed onto the creature’s back, and it raced across the plains of Alba for four days and nights.
On the fifth day, they passed a group of jeering youths, laughing at the sight of a man riding such a strange beast. Unable to bear their mockery, Cú Chulainn bid the creature farewell and continued on foot.
He came upon a house, where the woman of the house greeted him warmly, calling him by name. She had once stayed with his family in Ulster and was delighted to see him again.
After feeding and resting him, she told him the way to Scáthach’s island and warned of the traps Forgall had placedin his path—valleys filled with monsters and deadly obstacles.
Armed with her knowledge, Cú Chulainn evaded the dangers and finally reached Scáthach’s island.
THE BRIDGE OF TRIALS
His joy at finishing his journey was nothing compared to the joy of finding four Ulstermen nearby—including his best friend, Ferdia mac Daman, who had arrived earlier to train under Scáthach.
Among them were Naoise, Ainnle, and Ardan, the sons of Uisneach, in exile with Naoise’s wife, Deirdre. They welcomed Cú Chulainn with great joy, eager to hear news from home.
But before he could meet Scáthach, Cú Chulainn faced one final challenge—the Bridge of Trials.
This enchanted bridge was low at both ends and high in the middle. Whenever someone stepped onto it, it bucked like a wild horse, narrowed to the width of a hair, or shrank to an inch in length, throwing challengers off.
The people of Scáthach’s island gathered to watch, for many had fallen to their deaths attempting the crossing.
Determined, Cú Chulainn ran at the bridge, but it grew slippery, sending him sliding back down. Laughter erupted from the crowd.
Twice more he tried, and twice more he fell, as the spectators mocked him.
Furious, the hero-light shone around his head, and he unleashed his Salmon Leap—soaring onto the middle of the bridge, then leaping to the other side.
Watching from Scáthach’s house, her daughter was mesmerised.
She thought Cú Chulainn was the most beautiful man she had ever seen—dark-haired, with a melancholy look, seven hero-lights in each eye, and wearing a seven-pleated crimson cloak, fastened with a gold brooch.
She greeted him with food and drink and advised him on how to persuade Scáthach to train him.
THE TRAINING BEGINS
Following her advice, Cú Chulainn ambushed Scáthach, placing his sword between her breasts and demanding to be her student.
Impressed by his boldness, Scáthach agreed.
He trained tirelessly, learning all the skills and arts of war until he surpassed even her own sons.
But trouble loomed—Scáthach was at war with Aoife, a former student turned rival warrior-queen.
One day, Scáthach saw her three sons approaching Aoife’s three greatest warriors.
Fearing for her sons’ lives, she sent Cú Chulainn to help.
Rushing ahead, he struck down all three of Aoife’s champions, leaving their heads in a pile.
Enraged, Aoife challenged Scáthach to single combat.
Scáthach accepted—but Cú Chulainn insisted on fighting in her place.
DEFEATING AOIFE & WINNING HER LOVE
Before the duel, Cú Chulainn asked Scáthach:
“What does Aoife value most?”
Scáthach revealed that Aoife’s greatest pride was her chariot, horses, and charioteer.
The battle began, swords clashing fiercely.
Then, Cú Chulainn suddenly shouted:
“Aoife, your chariot is going over the edge of the cliff!”
Distracted, Aoife turned to look—and Cú Chulainn seized her, throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her back to Scáthach’s stronghold.
With his sword at her chest, he demanded she surrender.
Defeated, Aoife made peace with Scáthach, agreeing to end the war.
To celebrate, they feasted together, and Aoife fell in love with Cú Chulainn.
A SECRET SON
During his time with Scáthach, Cú Chulainn and Aoife became lovers.
When he was ready to return to Ireland, Aoife told him she was with child.
“It will be a boy,” she said, “and he will be as great a warrior as his father.”
Thrilled, Cú Chulainn gave her a red-gold ring and said:
“Name him Connla. Raise him as a warrior. When he is old enough to wear this ring without it slipping off, send him to Ireland to find me.”
And so, Cú Chulainn returned home, stronger than ever.
Despite all Forgall’s tricks, the first thing he did was find Emer and make her his wife.
