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 off their path and into their death. By Liana Paraschaki For weary, tired travellers, especially those fearing they may have got lost, there is little…
Maggy Moulach Maggy, standing at barely two feet tall, and sporting a great head of hair – or hairy hands – is most often associated with Tullochgorm Castle, owned by the Grant family. By Liana Paraschaki Maggy Moulach, otherwise known as Hairy Meg, is, perhaps, one of the most well-known…
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 souls of those who were already dead, the Cù-Sìth could also go after the souls of the living. By Liana Paraschaki The Cù-Sìth, the magical…
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 said to be a fairy with the form of a large cat, often as large as a dog. By Liana Paraschaki The Cat-Sìth is, perhaps,…
The Ghosts of Castle Fraser Once upon a time, a princess found herself a guest of the Fraser family. She was given the Green Room as her bedchamber, and was solemnly asleep, when she was viciously murdered. By Liana Paraschaki Castle Fraser is known as one of the most imposing…
The Fairy and the Miller's Wife One of the children reached out to touch her, trying to take a hold of the gold hanging loosely around her figure. The child’s fists closed around air, grasping nothing at all. She couldn’t touch the lady. By Liana Paraschaki One day, one gloomy…
The Banshee Banshees exist primarily in Scottish and Irish folklore, but a counterpart can also be found in Welsh mythology – and they are women whose screams and cries are an omen of death. Seems simple, right? By Liana Paraschaki Few creatures from Celtic mythology have as prominent a place…
The White Lady of Rownam Avenue I pleaded, and begged, and threatened my schoolmates, but none were willing to trespass the grounds of Rownam at night to see a ghost. By Liana Paraschaki Rownam Manor House was the property of Sir E.C., and a fine specimen of that, too! Its…
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, Illustration by Linley Barba Folklore and mythology are filled with tales of spirits and magical creatures, benevolent and evil alike. But, perhaps none is more…
The Swarthy Smith of the Socks “Let us place a bet. I will bet you three hundred marks that I will make something for the next fair, that nothing you can make within the same time could ever surpass.” By Liana Paraschaki Once a month, the city of Edinburgh witnesses…