One of the earliest references to martial training in Scotland comes down to us from the Celtic legends of the warrior, CúChulainn, a ‘Champion of the Red Branch’ who travelled in his youth to Alba (Scotland) to learn the arts of war from Scathach ("The Shadowy One" or "She Who Strikes Fear") a fearsome female expert in martial arts. Her training camp was believed to be based on the Isle of Skye.... The 'student' had to complete a combination of athletic training and fighting techniques described in the Tain Bo Chuailagne – (the Cattle Raid of Cooley), as cleasa or feats. The Apple-feat: Juggling metal balls which could be thrown to injure or kill an opponent? The Edge-feat: Displaying sword guards and angles of attack? The Level Shield-feat: Demonstrating the ability to deflect and ward off sword attacks with a shield? The Little Dart-feat: Demonstrating the ability to throw a projectile with speed and accuracy? The Rope-feat: A demonstration of balance, a training technique in which a warrior fought while on a rope stretched between two poles? The Body-feat: Body building or perhaps the ability to shape shift, distorting the body into Yoga-like positions? The Feat of Catt: ? The Hero's Salmon-leap: This has often been interpreted as an upright vertical leap like a salmon jumping out of the water. The Pole-cast: Throwing a pole, or perhaps tossing a caber? The Leap over a Blow: This may have been the Swordsman’s Leap which is performed in the Dirk Dance, jumping above an opponent’s sword blow in combat The Folding of a noble Chariot-fighter: The ability to duck to avoid javelin throws both on the ground and on a moving chariot? The Gae Bulga ('the Barbed Spear'): CuChullain’s special weapon, The Vantage (?) of Swiftness: foot-racing or sprinting? The Wheel-feat: Lifting & tossing a heavy weight? The Rimfeat: Using the rim of a shield as a weapon? The Over-Breath-feat: breath control? The Breaking of a Sword: Power shots with a sword? The Champion's Cry: A war cry or Chi shout? The Measured Stroke: Precision cutting with the sword? The Side Stroke: Striking with the flat of the Blade? The Running up a Lance and Standing Erect on its Point, and Binding of the Noble Hero (around spear points): Monkey KF? Louie
