Scottish folklore

There are various stories, beliefs, and superstitions associated with Scottish folklore, often linked to specific geographical locations, specific stones. According to Porter, "place is both 'internal' and 'external' to the human subject, a personally embedded center of meanings and a physical locus for action." Many of these sacred places are stones, with specific unique features, such as the Clach-na-bhan, which is a large granite rock located on top of Meall-na-gineimh (sandy hill) in Glenavon. This stone's unique feature is that it is shaped like an armchair and has been associated with easy delivery during childbirth. "Women about to be mothers climbed the hill and seated themselves in the hollow believing this ensured them an easy delivery". A second case of a sacred stone is the "Deil's needle," a standing stone in the River Dee at Dinnet. This stone had a hole about eighteen inches in diameter which was believed to have "the power to transform a childless wife, who passed through the eye of the stone, into a mother" effectively curing a woman's sterility. Stone circles were also widely regarded as sacred. The Stones of Stennes, located near Loch of Harray, and the [[Ring of Brodgar]], located northeast of the Stennes, were notable stone circles. According to [[Robert Henry (minister)|Robert Henry]], a minister at a nearby parish, these specific stone circles "were the reputed scene of courting and healing rituals that looked to pre-Christian gods such as Odin". There was a widely held belief that stones were under "special care of the spirit world" and river stones were "believed to possess remarkable powers [and] were often blackened in the fire and used with incantations to bring harm".

There are various stories, beliefs, and superstitions associated with Scottish folklore, often linked to specific geographical locations, specific stones. According to Porter, "place is both 'internal' and 'external' to the human subject, a personally embedded center of meanings and a physical locus for action." Many of these sacred places are stones, with specific unique features, such as the Clach-na-bhan, which is a large granite rock located on top of Meall-na-gineimh (sandy hill) in Glenavon. This stone's unique feature is that it is shaped like an armchair and has been associated with easy delivery during childbirth. "Women about to be mothers climbed the hill and seated themselves in the hollow believing this ensured them an easy delivery". A second case of a sacred stone is the "Deil's needle," a standing stone in the River Dee at Dinnet. This stone had a hole about eighteen inches in diameter which was believed to have "the power to transform a childless wife, who passed through the eye of the stone, into a mother" effectively curing a woman's sterility. Stone circles were also widely regarded as sacred. The Stones of Stennes, located near Loch of Harray, and the [[Ring of Brodgar]], located northeast of the Stennes, were notable stone circles. According to [[Robert Henry (minister)|Robert Henry]], a minister at a nearby parish, these specific stone circles "were the reputed scene of courting and healing rituals that looked to pre-Christian gods such as Odin". There was a widely held belief that stones were under "special care of the spirit world" and river stones were "believed to possess remarkable powers [and] were often blackened in the fire and used with incantations to bring harm".

In addition to specific stones, there are specific creatures or myths associated with specific locations. One such myth is about the 'Black Officer,' known as An t-Othaichear Dubh, the Gaelic name given to Captain John Macpherson of Ballachroan who was "a recruiting officer of the Hanoverian government around 1800 and a reputed hireling of the Devil." This story is tied to the Forest of Gaick located near [[Blair Atholl]] in the middle of Scotland, however, the tale is widespread throughout Scotland reaching the [[Isle of Skye]] and [[South Uist]]. The tale attributes his "grisly end, with that of companions at Gaick as an avalanche that carried them away" as divine retaliation. [[Loch Ness]], located in the Highlands, is another location linked to a specific creature of myth, the [[Loch Ness Monster|Loch Ness monster]], referred to familiarly as Nessie.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

In addition to specific stones, there are specific creatures or myths associated with specific locations. One such myth is about the 'Black Officer,' known as An t-Othaichear Dubh, the Gaelic name given to Captain John Macpherson of Ballachroan who was "a recruiting officer of the Hanoverian government around 1800 and a reputed hireling of the Devil." This story is tied to the Forest of Gaick located near [[Blair Atholl]] in the middle of Scotland, however, the tale is widespread throughout Scotland reaching the [[Isle of Skye]] and [[South Uist]]. The tale attributes his "grisly end, with that of companions at Gaick as an avalanche that carried them away" as divine retaliation. [[Loch Ness]], located in the Highlands, is another location linked to a specific creature of myth, the [[Loch Ness Monster|Loch Ness monster]], referred to familiarly as Nessie.{{Cite news |date=May 15, 1945 |title=The British Newspaper Archive |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000540/19450515/100/0004 |url-status=live |access-date=April 18, 2026 |work=The Scotsman |pages=1}}

== Folklore related to water ==

== Folklore related to water ==

{{Main|Water horse}}

{{Main|Water horse}}

Water horses, known as each ''uisge'' in Gaelic, a dangerous folktale creature found in freshwater Lochs. Harris notes that "almost every lonely freshwater lake was tenanted by one—sometimes several—of these animals… it was said to make its approaches… as a young man, a boy, a ring, and even a tuft of wool… any woman upon whom it set its mark was certain at last to become its victim". In legend, it is often said that humans can control water horses by throwing a "special bridle over them to compel menial service". Unlike the selkies, water horses were not sought after as romantic partners and often used their human forms to hunt women.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

Water horses, known as each ''uisge'' in Gaelic, a dangerous folktale creature found in freshwater Lochs. Harris notes that "almost every lonely freshwater lake was tenanted by one—sometimes several—of these animals… it was said to make its approaches… as a young man, a boy, a ring, and even a tuft of wool… any woman upon whom it set its mark was certain at last to become its victim". In legend, it is often said that humans can control water horses by throwing a "special bridle over them to compel menial service". Unlike the selkies, water horses were not sought after as romantic partners and often used their human forms to hunt women. name=":4" />

=== Kelpies ===

=== Kelpies ===

=== Keener ===

=== Keener ===

The Keener in Scottish folklore is familiarly known as the [[Banshee]], however the Gaelic language has many similar names for her; Coanteach, Cointeach, Caointeach, or Caointeachan. The literal translation of Banshee means 'fairy woman' but a more accurate definition defines the Keener as "a female spirit attending upon certain families heard 'keening' round the house when some family member is about to die". The most notable difference in this definition is that the Keener is attached to certain families; the [[Clan MacMillan|MacMillans]], [[Clan Matheson|Mathisons]], [[Clan Kelly|Kellys]], [[Clan Mackay|Mackays]], MacAffers, Duffies, [[Clan MacFarlane|Macfarlanes]], [[Clan Shaw|Shaws]], [[Clan Maclean|Maclergans]], and [[Clan Currie|Curries]]. Due to the Keeners attachment to these families, she is most commonly seen where these families reside; in [[Argyll|Arglyeshire]], [[Gigha]], [[Islay]], [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]], [[Tore, Scotland|Tyree]], [[the Long Island]], and [[Isle of Skye|Skye]]. There are very different accounts on the appearance of the Caoteach, "it is generally described as 'small,' 'a little woman,' 'a very small woman in a short gown and petticoat with a high crowned white cap,'" but descriptions also state that "it resembles a small tuft of wool, and is soft to feel, having neither flesh, blood, or bones". When seen, the Caonteach is spotted "passing the back door of a house, passing behind the house, [or] the back window" which are particularly unlucky in Scottish tradition. Similarly to her appearance, the sounds heard from her also have various descriptions; "a mournful wailing, and also as a bitter weeping, the most mournful weeping ever heard. But it is also described as a fearful noise, but also like the splashing of water". She is known to be a warning of death and an omen of the future.{{Citation needed|date=April 2026}}

The Keener in Scottish folklore is familiarly known as the [[Banshee]], however the Gaelic language has many similar names for her; Coanteach, Cointeach, Caointeach, or Caointeachan. The literal translation of Banshee means 'fairy woman' but a more accurate definition defines the Keener as "a female spirit attending upon certain families heard 'keening' round the house when some family member is about to die". The most notable difference in this definition is that the Keener is attached to certain families; the [[Clan MacMillan|MacMillans]], [[Clan Matheson|Mathisons]], [[Clan Kelly|Kellys]], [[Clan Mackay|Mackays]], MacAffers, Duffies, [[Clan MacFarlane|Macfarlanes]], [[Clan Shaw|Shaws]], [[Clan Maclean|Maclergans]], and [[Clan Currie|Curries]]. Due to the Keeners attachment to these families, she is most commonly seen where these families reside; in [[Argyll|Arglyeshire]], [[Gigha]], [[Islay]], [[Jura, Scotland|Jura]], [[Tore, Scotland|Tyree]], [[the Long Island]], and [[Isle of Skye|Skye]]. There are very different accounts on the appearance of the Caoteach, "it is generally described as 'small,' 'a little woman,' 'a very small woman in a short gown and petticoat with a high crowned white cap,'" but descriptions also state that "it resembles a small tuft of wool, and is soft to feel, having neither flesh, blood, or bones". When seen, the Caonteach is spotted "passing the back door of a house, passing behind the house, [or] the back window" which are particularly unlucky in Scottish tradition. Similarly to her appearance, the sounds heard from her also have various descriptions; "a mournful wailing, and also as a bitter weeping, the most mournful weeping ever heard. But it is also described as a fearful noise, but also like the splashing of water". She is known to be a warning of death and an omen of the future. name=":5" />

=== Fairies ===

=== Fairies ===