Scáthach's instruction of the young hero Cú Chulainn notably appears in
Tochmarc Emire (
The Wooing of Emer), an early Irish foretale to the great epic
Táin Bó Cúailnge. Here, Cú Chulainn is honour-bound to perform a number of tasks before he is found worthy to marry his beloved
Emer, daughter of the chieftain Forgall Monach. The tale survives in two recensions: a short version written mainly in
Old Irish and a later, expanded version of the Middle Irish period. In both recensions, Cú Chulainn is sent to
Alpae, a term literally meaning "the Alps", but apparently used here to refer to
Scotland (otherwise
Albu in Irish). Cú Chulainn is sent there with
Lóegaire and
Conchobor, and in the later version also with
Conall Cernach, to receive training from the warrior Domnall (whose hideous daughter falls in love with the hero and, after being spurned by him, later exacts her revenge by separating him from his companions by means of a magical illusion). After some time, Domnall assigns them to the care of Scáthach for further training. Cú Chulainn and his companion
Ferdiad travel to Dún Scáith, where Scáthach teaches them feats of arms, and gives Cú Chulainn a deadly spear, the
Gáe Bulg. Cú Chulainn begins an affair with Scáthach's daughter
Uathach, but accidentally breaks her fingers. ==See also==