This fragment of faded brown silk is owned by Clan McLeod and preserved at Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. It is supposed to provide salvation for the clan in the event of a disaster, and some believe it to be Norse in origin, taken when the Viking King Harold Hardrada was killed in battle at Stamford Bridge in 1066.
The Danish king's most treasured possession was his Landoda (Land Ravager), and he said "With this banner, I can never be defeated in battle". The Chief of the Clan McLeod, however, asserted in the 1920's that it had been given to his clan by fairies, and could only be used three times.
The first time it was used, in 1490, the Fairy Flag was brought out in a desperate battle against the MacDonalds and the tide was turned in the favour of the McLeods. In 1520, the McLeods were hopelessly outnumbered by the MacDonalds at Waternish, but they unfurled the banner and beat off the attack.
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