The Deerness Mermaid, 1887-1899: Selkies, sideshows and silly seasons

Between 1887 and 1899, a mysterious sea creature known as the ‘Deerness Mermaid’ (DM) was repeatedly sighted off the coast of Orkney, Scotland. Reported by locals and widely covered in British newspapers, the DM became a fixture of the late Victorian ‘silly season,’ filling column inches with speculation and spectacle. Although likely an unusual seal, its long neck and humanoid swimming style led to claims that it was a mermaid — an interpretation helped along by both local selkie folklore and Victorian popular culture. The DM’s recurring appearances fuelled national curiosity, attracting hunters, tourists and even theatrical adaptations. Some sought to capture or kill the creature, while others viewed it as an omen or supernatural entity. The article explores how shifting cultural understandings of mermaids — from traditional seductive sirens to grotesque sideshow exhibits — shaped perceptions of the DM. It situates the phenomenon within the broader context of Orkney’s maritime folklore and the rise of sensationalist journalism. Its story is a compelling case study in how legends evolve and persist in the modern imagination.