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Post by LLady on May 31, 2005 21:44:26 GMT 10
BROLLACHANOne of the most feared spirits of the Highlands because it was shapeless. Tradition has it thet it could only speak two phrases "myself" and "thyself". It took shape of whatever it sat upon but apart from that it had only a mouth and eyes.
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Post by dreamwalker on May 31, 2005 22:03:51 GMT 10
Och, what a nice creature to meet, no? Thank you, LLady...I like this thread...
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Post by LLady on May 31, 2005 22:05:20 GMT 10
CAILLEACH BHEUR
A myth from the North West of Scotland. She was a blue faced hag who represents Winter. She was reborn every Samhain (Oct 31) and caused the snow to fall. Her power was broken by the appearance of Brigit, as as the spirit of Springtime every February and she laid her staff under a Holly Bush and turned into stone at Beltane ( April 30).
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Post by LLady on May 31, 2005 22:05:52 GMT 10
Och, what a nice creature to meet, no? Thank you, LLady...I like this thread... Thanks Dreamy
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Post by LLady on May 31, 2005 22:07:52 GMT 10
CAOINEAG
The Scotish version of the Banshee. It has been said that she was heard wailing the night before the Massacre of Glencoe.
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Post by LLady on Jun 1, 2005 22:05:40 GMT 10
CATH SITHThe Fairy Cat It was believed by Highlanders that the Cath Sith was a witch that had been tranformed into a cat. The King of the Fairy Cats was called BIG EARS and would appear to answer questions, set by a diner who was roasting a cat over a fire.
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Elly
Administrator
Posts: 29,887
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Post by Elly on Jun 2, 2005 1:05:46 GMT 10
enjoying this thread Llady ;D
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Post by LLady on Jun 5, 2005 2:37:19 GMT 10
enjoying this thread Llady ;D Thanks Elly it's fun!
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Post by LLady on Sept 9, 2005 3:17:10 GMT 10
Each Uisge
The Each Uisge, is a name for the Highland supernatural water horse, supposedly the most dangerous of the Scottish water dwelling creatures. The monster inhabited the sea, sea lochs and fresh water lochs and is sometimes mistaken in writing as the Kelpie, which is supposed to inhabit rivers and streams.
The Each Uisge had the ability to shape shift, and could disguise itself as a fine horse or pony. To lure people into the water it would stand by the waters edge in one of these forms, and wait for somebody to approach. If a man was to mount the horse, it would immediately set off into the deepest part of the loch, the rider being unable to free himself because of the adhesive qualities of the creature's skin. Once in its element, the unfortunate victim would drown, and be devoured completely apart from the liver, which would float ashore, a sure sign that the water horse had claimed another victim.
Another disguise the Each Uisge could take was that of a handsome man, and because of the danger of these creatures, people were wary of lone animals and strangers standing by the waters edge, in places reputed to be haunted by the Each Uisge. As well as human victims the Each Uisge also ate cattle and sheep, and could be lured from the water and killed with the smell of roasted meat. One such tale is recorded in 'More West Highland Tales' by McKay: A blacksmith from Raasay lost his daughter to the Each Uisge. In revenge the blacksmith and his son made a set of large hooks, in a forge they set up by the loch side. They then roasted a sheep and heated the hooks until they were red hot. At last a great mist appeared from the water and the Each Uisge rose from the depths and seized the sheep. The blacksmith and his son rammed the red-hot hooks into its flesh and after a short struggle dispatched it. In the morning there was nothing left of the creature apart from a jelly like substance.
It has been theorised that the folklore of the water horse stems in part from real encounters with water dwelling creatures in the deep lochs. These are paralleled today with sightings in places such as Loch Ness and Loch Morar. Of course it could be the other way round and what people are seeing is archetypal images somehow portrayed onto the water. In truth nobody knows and the similarity with folklore and modern sightings may be pure coincidence.
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Post by LLady on Sept 9, 2005 3:18:33 GMT 10
Nuckelavee
One of the most fearsome and gruesomely described supernatural creatures, the Nuckelavee inhabited parts of Northern Scotland.
The creature's home was in the sea but it ventured on land often to feast upon humans. The Nuckelavee rode a horse on land, and its horse was sometimes indistinguishable with its own body.
Its head was ten times larger than that of a mans, and its mouth thrust out like a pigs with a wide gaping maw. The creature had no skin, and its yellow veins, muscle structure and sinews, could clearly be seen covered in a red slimy film.
The creature was armed with venomous breath and great strength. It did however have one weakness, an aversion to fresh water. The horse on which it rode, is described as having one red eye, a mouth the size of a whales and flappers like fins around its forelegs. Although the horse was sometimes seen as part of the creature's own body.
In one tale a man called Tammy escapes the beast by jumping over running water, leaving his bonnet in the monsters clutches. This theme of a narrow escape often crops up in Scottish folklore. It is also noted that many supernatural creatures cannot cross fresh running water.
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Post by LLady on Sept 9, 2005 3:19:52 GMT 10
Silkies
Silkies are shape shifting sea fairies usually in the form of bright-eyed seals. They are localised to Northern Scotland and the Shetland Islands.
Silkies often came on to land in human form, where they would dance, especially on the night of the full moon.
In taking human form the Silkies shed their sealskin, and hide them in a safe place. There are many tales from the clans of leaders taking Silkie wives by stealing their skins. The Silkies are said to make good wives but always long for the sea, and return to their seal form if they gain repossession of their skins.
The silkies can be identified in their human form by their webbed fingers and toes and their ability to swim underwater for long periods of time.
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Post by LLady on Sept 9, 2005 3:21:34 GMT 10
Boabhan Sith
The Baobhan Sith is a particularly evil and dangerous female vampire from the highlands of Scotland. They were supposed to prey on unwary travellers in the glens and mountains. The name suggests a form of Banshee.
A common tale is told of 4 young friends who set off on a hunting trip in the glens, benighted the men take refuge in an abandoned Shieldig (small cottage).
Darkness falls quickly and the men build a fire in the hearth and set about entertaining themselves for the night. One of them is a talented singer, and sings as his companions begin to dance around the room.
One of the men wishes that they had the company of women and speaks as such. Seconds after he has spoken 4 women appear at the door and begin dancing with the three men. Suddenly the atmosphere changes and the women become frenzied, imbued with supernatural strength they tear at the dancers and blood begins to spill around the room.
Terrified the young man who was supplying the music runs out of the door with one of the creatures at his heels. He takes refuge between the horses and this seems to create a barrier over which the creature can not cross. He spends a long and cold night between the horses, with the Boabhan Sith circling around waiting for an opportunity to pounce on him. At last dawn breaks and the creature disappears.
When he returns to the shieldig a ghastly sight greets him. All his companions are dead, sprawled around the floor in agonising positions completely drained of blood.
Traditionally supernatural creatures are afraid of iron, and taking refuge in the wild horses may have saved him because of the horse's iron shoes.
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