Discover Scottish myths and legends

Did you know, some farmers, particularly in the north of Scotland, believe that the birth of a black-faced sheep brings bad luck for all the flock; this is where the expression "black sheep of the family" originates. Fishing communities are known for having lots of superstitions and customs too. Scottish fishermen, in the likes of the Outer Hebrides and the East Neuk of Fife, would not sail if they passed a minister on the way to their fishing boats, as it was believed this was a bad omen.

1. The Kelpie

Kelpies are Scottish water spirits that are among the most dangerous mystical creatures in the country. According to legend, these menacing water horses stay near deep lakes and rushing rivers. Although they can also appear in human form, they usually wait as horses for unsuspecting hikers who want to cross a body of water. As soon as the unsuspecting victim climbs onto the back of the supposed horse, it sticks to the magical fur of the kelpie and is lost. The water spirit then gallops deep into the lake or river with his unwilling rider to drown and finally eat them.

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3. Morag, the monster of Loch Morar

We all know Nessie, the legendary Loch Ness monster, but have you heard of Morag? She is a mystical sea monster that is said to live on the west coast of Scotland in Loch Morar. As with Nessie, there have long been reports of sightings of the monster. Morag was first mentioned back in 1887. In 1948, nine people reported seeing a 6 m long creature in the lake from their boat. The biggest excitement was in 1969, when two men claimed to have accidentally hit Morag with their boat. The poor creature was said to have disappeared after one of the men hit it with an oar and his companion started shooting with a rifle!

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5. The Witch of Fife

There once lived an old man and his wife in Fife where there were rumours that she was a witch. When his wife disappeared one night, the man went in search of her and eventually found her and her friends in a cottage. He listened as they recited their spells, which magically transported them to the bishop's wine cellar. The man recited the spell and appeared in the bishop's wine cellar. There he drank so much wine that he eventually fell asleep. To teach him a lesson, his wife and her friends left him in the cellar as they recited their spells to return to Fife. The next morning, the man was found in the locked cellar. The angry bishop accused him of witchcraft, and the man was sentenced to death at the stake. He thought his last hour had come when suddenly a bird landed on his shoulder with a little red nightcap and his wife's voice whispered a magic word in his ear. He called it out loudly, his chains fell off him, he rose into the air and flew away. When he arrived safely back in Fife, he swore never to interfere in his wife's affairs again.

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