Superstitions of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland / Collected Entirely from Oral Sources

Chapter 116: AT ERRAY, MULL.

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About This Book

A collection of oral traditions from the Scottish Highlands and Islands, recorded and arranged thematically to present popular beliefs about fairies, changelings, banshees, tutelary beings, witchcraft, and related customs. The material combines narrative tales and descriptive entries that show regional variants, accounts of sightings and interactions, and practical measures for protection or repair. Gaelic expressions are translated with emphasis on literal meaning and authentic usage, and the compiler relied solely on spoken testimony gathered across multiple districts to preserve the vernacular form of these folk beliefs.

AT ERRAY, MULL.

At Erray (an Eirbhe, the outlying part of a farm 56), near Tobermory, there was a Glaistig that paid attention principally to the barn. The herd slept in the byre, and he often heard trampling (tartaraich) in the adjoining barn. Whatever had been left there at night was found in the morning all in confusion, topsy-turvy (turrach air tharrach), one leg over the other (cas mu seach). All this was the Glaistig’s work.

The Glaistig of Fernach on Loch Awe side conveyed persons of the name of M‘Intyre across a dangerous stream in the neighbourhood. She assumed the shape of a foal.