Bestiary
Nuckelavee
Nuckelavee Tammie saw blood, black as tar, running through yellow veins, and great white sinews, thick as horse tethers… By Mr W. Traill Dennison in
Bestiary
From the Kelpies that live in deep, dark lochs to the Brownies in your kitchen, Scottish folklore is teeming with fantastical and fearsome creatures. On this page, you can read all about them, and arm yourself with the necessary knowledge for venturing into the realms of folklore!
Explore our Creatures
We are working with contributors across Scotland and beyond to research and write about the huge wealth of mystical creatures that are said to inhabit Scotland. Please enjoy our selection of creatures below.
Bestiary
Will-o’-the-wisp
Will-o’-the-wisp In Scottish folklore, will-o’-the-wisps are variously depicted either as mischievous spirits (typically fairies), or even the ghosts of the dead, eager to lead travellers
Bestiary
Am Fear Liath Mòr
Am Fear Liath Mòr The Big Grey Man is alleged to be ten feet tall and extremely thin, with long limbs and dark hair. The
Bestiary
Beira, The Cailleach, Queen of Winter
Beira, The Cailleach, Queen of Winter But, even Beira was not strong enough to resist the passage of time forever. The time for her reign’s
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Cù-Sìth 
Cù-Sìth Not only was the Cù-Sìth terrifying, it was also believed to be a harbinger of death. Unlike the Cat-Sith, who could only snatch the
Bestiary
Cat-Sìth
Cat Sìth The Cat-Sìth is, perhaps, the most unusual fairy in all of Scottish folklore. The Cat-Sìth, found both in Scottish and Irish mythology, is
Bestiary
Selkies
Selkies Selkies are a shape-shifting magical creature, found all over Scotland, Ireland, and Iceland. Selkies typically wore the hide of a seal, which allowed them
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The Banshee
The Banshee Banshees exist primarily in Scottish and Irish folklore, but a counterpart can also be found in Welsh mythology – and they are women
Bestiary
Kelpies
Kelpies Typically residing near water, and taking the form of a black horse, the kelpie would lure travellers to their death. Words by Liana Paraschaki,