Visited June 2007. Could not readily identify the site at the grid ref given by the O.S. Best reached by driving to the airstrip or the waterworks along a rough track, and then striking out in the direction of the summit in front of you. Please be aware that the area is a nesting site for many birds - including skuas! RSPB ask that you do not approach the lochside as this will disturb rare species.
At the Fetlar Interpretive Centre in Houbie, you can listen to a recording of the tune allegedly learned from the Trowies. The Centre also has a good collection of other folklore and archaeological material.
Haltadans means the 'limping dance'. Trows (the little people) often went there to dance in the light of the full moon. One night they got a bit carried away and danced on until the sunrise - and they were turned to stone. The two stones in the middle (originally there may have been three) are the fiddlers who played for them. Around these is the earth and stone circle, with the originally standing stones around the outside.
Over to the northwest are three cairns - these are know as the fiddlers' crus (the fiddlers' enclosures).
The tune they were allegedly said to have played is in a book from 1642, and reprinted in the Shetland Folk Book II of 1952. This interesting tome contains a number of tunes actually sung by fairies which were collected over the years. Truly.
(folklore from Grinsell's folklore of british prehistoric sites)
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Posted by Rhiannon
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