A Large Diamond on Criffel

A curious piece of folklore is the legend relating to the existence of a large diamond on Criffel. It is many years since I heard this for the first time when staying at Southerness. The story is that seamen on board vessels coming up the Solway can on clear nights, see the gleaming of a large diamond, which is lying on Criffel, but although it can be seen a long distance off, when searched for it cannot be found, although the search may be most carefully made. As a matter of course, no consideration is given to the matter-of-fact reasoning which would point out that a diamond which could be visible so far off must be of dimensions which would make the Koh-i-noor and even larger gems pale into insignificance. If anything of the nature of a brilliant light is seen it is probably due to that of the moon glittering on some granite block or some small streamlet flowing over a boulder, a sight less likely to excite the cupidity of the observer, but immeasurably more full of delight to the lover of the beautiful than any diamond, however brilliant it may be.

Source

Notes