They will swim from island to island looking for the right lad or lassie. When they do this, they usually change themselves into seals. They will watch the shore carefully and sing an enchanting song and will, in some way, entice their victim to the water' s edge. Then they will send an object, floating in to the water ' s edge, which will attract the attention of the intended victim. As the victim steps into the water to claim the object, they will be pulled under the waves and will know nothing more until they awaken in fairyland.
Mermaids are very well known in Scotland.
The northern shores seem to be their favorite haunt. Sometimes they may be seen sitting on a rock or relaxing on the beach, combing their long, luxuriant hair. But the real danger is that she will lure him beneath the waves where he will be kept a prisoner, bound by long slender chains of gold. There is always danger in the love of a mermaid, for no matter how kindly or beautiful she my be, the affair will always end in disaster. That is why sensible fishermen, whenever they haul up a mermaid in their nets, will always let her go.