![]() For this reason, some prefer to use alternate terms. They were simply wild and had their own agendas, not always in line with those of humans. These beings weren’t necessarily good or evil. Yet it originally covered a wide range of creatures and cultures from a world just sideways from our own. The word “fairy” often conjures up images of tiny, winged, Tinkerbell-like creatures who are generally sweet, mildly mischievous, and helpful to human beings. I’ve used the term “fairy” in several posts up to now, but since this is my first deep dive into a creature of that ilk, it’s time I explained my views on that word. So today, let’s take a breath and dare to swim with the kelpie. They are wild, it’s true, but they still have a complex intelligence hidden deep within their shifting appearance. Yet like many fairy beings, kelpies are more than mere monsters up close. They are fairy horses, though if you’re thinking of innocent winged ponies, you’d best think again. Kelpies, horse-shaped water spirits, are among the better known, and they even have connections to one of Scotland’s most famous monsters. There are many other sources if you would like to learn more about Kelpies.Many dangerous creatures haunt the mythical landscape of Scotland. As she agrees, he chooses to become a mortal man and they live happily ever after. The Kelpie asks he if she would marry him if he decided to remain in a human form. Once he is about to be released and she decided to return his silver necklace, she asks him whether he would take the form of a Kelpie or a man forever. The man reveals his Kelpie form and is taken to the girl’s dad to work for an entire year. However, she recognizes the man as a Kelpie and takes his bridle (a silver necklace) while he sleeps. It has been rumored that the famous MacGregor clan, from the outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor, own a Kelpie bridle passed through generations.Īnother tale of Barra says that a lonely Kelpie took the form of a handsome man promising to marry a young girl. They hold the strength of 10 horses and the stamina of 100 more. But what if you try to capture one? The tales say you need to hold them by the bridle and then you can command them. They can predict when storms are coming and warn others by unearthly wailing or howling. On the other hand, Kelpies are not all bad. When the Kelpie arrived the following night, the blacksmith stabbed the Kelpie from both sides turning it into nothing but water and foam. One day, the blacksmith decided to place two iron spears into a strong fire until they have become incredibly hot. ![]() Every night the horse would go to his land and terrorize him and his family. A Kelpie has been terrorizing this blacksmith’s family for some time when he decided he needs to kill the spirit to protect his family. Another famous tale is the one with the blacksmith. They take the form of a beautiful woman to lure young men and feast upon them or summon unsuspected floods that no human could escape. The tale says he manages to escape by cutting his finger off, while the other nine children have been pulled into the water never to be seen again.įurthermore, Kelpies can take human form as well, while keeping their hooves. However, the ‘pony’s’ hide becomes sticky and the child cannot remove its fingers. It stretches its back and nine of the kids climb the pony, and one just strokes its nose. Ten children have gone to the river finding a ‘pony’ there. The most famous tales are when the Kelpies take the form of ponies and lure children while they are playing close to rivers. But everywhere they are considered malevolent! Depending on the region, they can be described as black horses or white ones that can sing. When going into the water, their tales sound like thunder. According to Scottish folklore, they are mainly found in rivers and streams. Their name comes from Scottish Gaelic ‘cailpeach’ or ‘colpach’, meaning heifer (a young cow) or colt (a young male horse). Kelpies are aquatic spirits that are said to be able to shape-shift. ‘Address to the Devil’ by Robert Burns (1786) But what are they and where do the stories come from? Kelpies are probably the most popular Scottish mythical creatures.
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