Just a short drive from Inverness, lies the Black Isle, a magical part of the Scottish Highlands steeped in myths and legends, a land within a land.

The name “Black Isle” can be traced back to ancient times. The land was associated with darkness and mystery due to its murky bogs, rocky terrain and sparse vegetation. This view of the Black Isle continued throughout the Middle Ages, where it was believed to be a place of superstition and enchantment.

Over the course of hundreds of years, soothsayers, witches, healers, and mystics have gravitated here.

The Brahan Seer lived here in the 17th century. A self-styled mystic, prophet and psychic, held in high esteem due to the accuracy of many of his prophecies.

On a cold windy Saturday night as the mist rolls in and the rain clatters against the window panes of the Allangrange Arms in Munlochy, locals will gather around a roaring fire and recount tales of a chosen one, born and bred in the Black Isle then sent to England to show the sassenachs how back row forwards should really play. Her injuries would be plenty, but the healers of the Black Isle had touched her with the power of endless recovery.

It is just over 580 miles between Black Isle and Twickenham Stoop, but the healing powers are still working for the “Chose One” Harlequins and Scotland number eight Jade Konkel.

Injuries sadly are part and parcel of sport, some athletes are more affected than others over the course of their playing career.

This can be down to sheer luck, or in some cases by the sheer attritional nature of their style of play.

Of course, attrition does not come at the expense of style or skill, as I can testify in Jade’s case.

Her injury list would give BUPA shareholders palpitations, Jade Konkel must have her surgeon on speed dial, such is the catalogue of misfortune she has suffered in recent years.

They say everything comes in threes (including injuries and operations) as Syndesmosis in her ankle in February 2023 reoccurred followed by a fractured fibula. Triple surgeries and fifteen months out of the game tested her physically and mentally to a point where she questioned whether her body could cope with with the rigours of top class rugby again.

Some players need a good few games to get back in the groove when returning from injury, but not Jade. All of her comebacks appear to have been seamless, hitting the ground running as well as hitting anything else that gets in her way. Maybe the medics use WD40 during rehab because she never shows any sign of rustiness when she steps back on to the field of play.

Pagans on the Black Isle centuries ago based their religion on nature and its elements; Earth, air, fire, and water. Fire is a daily part of Jade’s other life as a member of G39 Feltham Red Watch, part of London’s fire and rescue service – one of the largest firefighting and rescue organisations in the world.

We all hope for an injury free run for the Tartan Tornado she is certainly due a break (of the non limb shattering variety) Harlequins and Scotland are all the poorer for her absences.

Meanwhile, over the border as another log is thrown on that crackling, roaring fire at the Allangrange Arms in Munlochy the locals raise a glass and a wee dram to their very own Black Isle legend Jade Konkel.