Scottish myths

...are still alive

Who likes a little myth and mystery? Scotland is full of it. Decide for yourself which ones could be real - and which are folklore.

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The Ghost Piper of Culzean Castle, Ayrshire

The patriotic tunes of bagpipes playing is not an uncommon sound to hear in Scotland. Neither is hearing a tale or two of a phantom piper being spotted or heard, right across the country.

In days gone by, a dark network of tunnels was said to extend from the Cove of Grennan to the cliffs of Clanyard Bay, near Stranraer in Dumfries & Galloway. It was believed by locals that faeries lived in these tunnels, although no one dared venture in to find out.

One day a piper and his loyal dog entered the tunnels whilst playing the pipes, only to never be seen or heard from again. The tunnels are now long gone but it is said you can sometimes hear the faint sound of bagpipes playing from deep underground.

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Selkies or seals - you be the judge

Selkie is simply the Orcadian dialect word for "seal".

So, selkies are a very common sight across Orkney. Heads bobbing above the waves, they are often seen by the shore, watching inquisitively with uncannily human eyes.

To the onshore observer it is not hard to see how the legends surrounding the selkie-folk — the seal people — sprang into life.

Orkney has many tales concerning this shape-shifting race.

Unlike the Finfolk, who retained their malicious tendencies throughout the years, the selkie-folk have come to be regarded as gentle creatures, with the ability to transform from seals into beautiful, lithe humans. This, however, is a far cry from the original folklore — a topic dealt with further here.

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Shape-shifting Kelpies

One of the more popular legends of Scotland, kelpies are large, shape-shifting aquatic animals that are said to haunt the rivers and streams of Scotland, usually in the shape of a horse.

Although they may look like gentle giants, kelpies were said to be malevolent and nasty beasts that would harm anyone and anything in their way. Much like the selkies, these water horses could also appear in human form.

The sound of a kelpie’s tail as it enters the water has been said to sound like thunder. So, if you are passing by a river and hear an unearthly wailing or howling, there may be a kelpie nearby!

Find out more about Kelpies or visit The Helix Park in Falkirk to see these magnificent creations up close.

Even more to set your hair on end...

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