The Mermaid’s origins are deep-rooted in Easter Ross folklore; legend tells that once a fisherman stole a beautiful mermaid away to be his wife and hid her tail. Years later, after bearing his children, she found her tail and escaped back to sea, returning regularly to the shore to bring fish to her hungry children.
Where to find her
The Mermaid of the North sits upon a rock- named ‘Clach Dubh’ (black rock in Gaelic) in the Seaboard village of Balintore.
To visit her make your way to the village of Balintore and to the car park at the Seaboard Centre.
You can take the short walk (300 yards) along the sculpture trail path to the Mermaid of the North.
Steve Hayward, from Hilton, sculpted the 10ft bronzed wood mermaid statue in 2007, the Highland Year of Culture. The Mermaid of the North is part of the area’s Seaboard Sculpture Trail, which includes several other sculptures related to the sea, such as three giant salmon and three slate monuments.
In 2012 the sculpture was damaged by a severe storm. Originally made from wood and resin, she was not strong enough to withstand the stormy weather. In 2014 she was replaced with a bronze-cast model and this was aided by a grant from SSE. Every year the Mermaid lures many tourists to the area and is greatly valued by the locals.
“Very pretty village and nicely laid out garden and info board about the mermaid. Mermaid itself is quite eye catching on her rock. Tide was in when we visited last but I’ve been when tide is out and you can get closer then. Well worth a visit.”
– Google Review, Feb 2023
“Certainly more impressive than the little one at Copenhagen and no hoards of visitors, just me and my wife, nice photo opportunity on our NC500 road trip.”
– TripAdvisor Review, June 2022
“Such a spectical. Everyone has asked me where she is and it’s a worthwhile stop on the NC500 route. I went during the winter, it was quiet and was a lovely walk along the beach. I think I parked outside the community centre? Great walk and excellent scenery and story.”
– Google Review, March 2022