Scotland is full of beautiful lakes. Thereare many that have stories associated withthem, some scary, some tragic, and somepoignant. Loch Katrine provided theinspiration for Sir Walter Scott's The Lady ofthe Lake. The poem was so popular duringthe early 19th century that tourists flockedthere by the thousands. Even now it is apopular tourist spot. Because of its depthand strong current, Lake Katrine neverfreezes. But according to folklore,the lake did freeze just once.
Long, long ago there was a beautiful girl named Katherine who lived by the lake. George Macduff,a charming young man, lived on the other side of thelake, in the village called Stronachlachar. George fished in the lake and hunted in the forest nearby. He had a farm where he grew vegetables. He also had asnug, warm little cottage where he lived. George was anexcellent piper and often rowed over to the other side ofthe lake to play at weddings or other celebrations.
During one such celebration he met Katherine. Hewas playing the Eight some Reel and saw her dancing,her face aglow with happiness. She was the most beautiful maiden he had ever come across. George had never thought of marriage before, as the idea of settling down with anyone did not appeal to him. But now he fell inlove with Katherine at first sight and made up his mind to marry her. He courted her seriously and the two were soon engaged to be married. Katherine gave him a locket with the picture of Saint Catherine, after whom she was named, as a token of her love.
"Keep it with you always. The blessed Saint Catherine will take care of you and protect you from all harm,"Katherine told George. She had been a devout and piousgirl with great faith in God and the saints.
"Do you really believe all this?" asked George.
"Of course, I do. With all my heart," answered Katherine. "All the more because Saint Catherine isalso the patron saint of Lake Katrine and I love the lake."
"Well, then, I shall keep it with me to please you,"said George.
"Promise?"
George promised and Katherine believed him.Unfortunately George was quite different from Katherine.He did not believe in God. Nor did he ever go to churchor say his prayers. If ever he mentioned God or the saints,it was in a tone of utter disrespect and ridicule.
Although Katherine did not know his true nature, heraunt, who had brought her up, suspected it. And she was not at all happy about the prospective wedding. She was afraid that George was after her wealth rather than herself.Knowing how he felt about church and God, she suggested that Katherine should ask him to go to church with her to attend the special Christmas Eve service that evening. But when Katherine asked him, George looked uncomfortable and tried to get out of it. "I shall gladlyescort you to the church but I shall not go in," said George.
"Why not?" asked Katherine surprised.
"I'm not the praying kind and most likely I shall bebored," said George.
"Bored! Inside a church? How can you?" said Katherine bewildered. "And the service will be beautiful this evening because it's Christmas Eve."
"Rest assured, I shall wait for you outside and bringyou back home."
