Deerness - The "Mermaid"

The Deerness "Mermaid" Shot.
Mr Reid, of Braebuster, was on Tuesday taken out and left of a rock at Deerness, in the north of Scotland, near where the mermaid has so often been seen. After a short watch, the creature began sporting about within 30 yards of him. Mr Reid got a shot at it, and was sure that it was wounded. It went off westward, but shortly afterwards returned to its old haunt, where it sank in deep water. It is thought it has been killed, and if this surmise turns out to be correct, hopes are entertained that the body will be recovered by dredging.

Yorkshire Evening Post, 23rd June 1892.



An unsuccessful attempt was made last week to shoot the rare seal, which has become known over the county as the Deerness "mermaid". It was at first thought that the seal had been hit if not killed, but on the following day it reappeared at its old haunts apparently uninjured. Commenting upon the attempt the Scottish Leader says: - Contrary to expectations the Deerness "mermaid" appears to have survived the bullets aimed at it by the ruthless marksmen of Orkney. The curious creature has reappeared safe and sound, and has been seen swimming to and fro in its usual place. A paragraph from the district declares that another attempt is to be made to shoot the "mermaid" the first fine day. It is to be hoped that before then the unequivocal and ouspoken expression of public opinion will take effect, and that there will be no attempt at repeating an act of such gross and wanton brutality as the murder of the strange visitant to the Deerness shores. Perhaps the S.P. C.K. might do worse than keep their eyes open. The "mermaid" wants protection quite as badly as many a more ordinary animal, and the indiscriminate potting and maiming the poor beast assuredly comes within the category of cruelty.

Orkney Harald, and Weekly Advertiser and Gazette for the Orkney and Zetland Islands - 29th June 1892.


A sea monster resembling the description given of the Deerness "mermaid" has been disporting itself these last few days in the south side of Mill bay. Whether it is her ladyship from Deerness on a visit, or a relative, has not yet been determined.

Orkney Herald, 27th September 1893.


 The descriptions supplied by those who have seen the "Deerness Mermaid" never vary. The creature has a black head, shaped not unlike a pear, tapering in towards the body; long white arms, which it throws outwards when in the act of swimming; and a white breast. What appears to be a dark brown mane extends along the whole back. Several persons have resolved to try and shoot the monster, in the belief that it would be worth a small fortune for exhibition purposes.

Stonehaven Journal, 4th July 1895.