The spirit of the Scottish people originates from a proud and turbulent heritage. Living and fighting their way through the centuries, with tales and folklores that have become the core of their beliefs and the backbone of communities. It is therefore important to understand and to respect the folklore, in order to show respect to the Scottish.
Faeries play a prominent and very important role in the Scottish folklore, from the time that every waterway, well and loch had a name, and an ancient faerie that protected it. They are also important in rituals and are believed to be responsible for failing crops when someone has violated or upset them, and known to be onlookers of the human nature. So before you decided to go walking into the fields or forests by yourself, it is advised to educate yourself on the various faeries and their significance.
First rule, is never let a faerie overhear you calling them faeries, they do not take kindly to this. They prefer to be called fair folk and are very sensitive creatures, so do not be rude, or you might suffer the consequences. Always be honest with a faerie as they will know if you have lied to them, and not surprisingly, they don’t take kindly to that either. Wearing the color ‘green’, is also not advisable, as faeries see this as a color that belongs to them. But you will be relieved to know that not all faeries are impatient when it comes to humans and some even try to avoid us at all costs. Faeries are the balance between good and evil.
The Ashrays are water dwellers and the Black Angus faeries are better known as the faerie dogs. Not all faeries take on human form, such as the Boobrie who are water birds that are able to live on land and in water. Fin Folk also live in bodies of water and are affectionately known as Sea Gardeners and will not make contact with humans. Coming across folk like Buachailleen, Brownies, Gnomes, the Gruagach, Heather Pixies, Pixies and Seelie Courts can be a very rewarding and magical experience, as most of these faeries enjoy being mischievous, shy and friendly.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Ghillie Dhu, Kelpies, Nucklelavees or Fachans. Most of these faeries dislike humans intensely and an encounter with one of these folk could end badly, for you. Some will fool you with comical antics, some will lure you with beauty and some will just plainly let you know how they feel about a human intrusion.
In general, faeries are extremely private, and see any invasion of their privacy or space, as an act that can be avenged by taking away a humans’ sight, bringing illness or destroying their crops. As long as you stick to rules, respect the faeries and do not enrage anyone, you should be safe on the Scottish plains. But, on second thought, maybe take a faerie reference book, just to be safe.
FAQs
They prefer to be called fair folk and are very sensitive creatures, so do not be rude, or you might suffer the consequences. Always be honest with a faerie as they will know if you have lied to them, and not surprisingly, they don't take kindly to that either.
What are Scottish fairies called? ›
What are Scottish fairies called? Scottish fairies go by many names. Often the old Scots called them 'the guid folk' i.e. 'good folk' in a bid to stay on their good side. In Gaelic they're known as the sìth (pronounced 'shee').
Do the Scottish believe in the fae? ›
Lets talk a bit more about fairies. Belief in fairies was once universal in Scotland, and still exists today. The fairies are seen a human-like race inhabiting an otherworld which is close to and interwoven with our own.
What's the difference between fairy and faerie? ›
The terms 'fairy' and 'faerie' refer to supernatural beings that are typically depicted as small, magical creatures with wings. The difference is that 'fairy' is the more common spelling, while 'faerie' is an archaic and uncommon spelling.
What are Celtic faeries? ›
The aos sí are generally described as stunningly beautiful, though they can also be terrible and hideous. Aos sí are seen as fierce guardians of their abodes —whether a fairy hill, a fairy ring, a special tree (often a hawthorn) or a particular loch or wood.
Who are the female fae in Scotland? ›
The baobhan sith is a female fairy in the folklore of the Scottish Highlands, though they also share certain characteristics in common with the succubus. They appear as beautiful women who seduce their victims before attacking them and killing them.
Who is the Scottish queen of the fae? ›
Nicneven, Nicnevin or Nicnevan is a witch or fairy queen from Scottish folklore. She is often said to be the same figure as the Gyre-Carling or Hecate, but some scholars disagree with this. It is debated whether the name originally referred to a real woman or a mythical goddess.
What are Scottish pixies called? ›
Scottish names for faeries include the Still Folk, People of Peace, The Silent Moving Folk, Pixies, The Wee Folk, and Prowlies.
What is the most famous Scottish folklore? ›
The Loch Ness Monster is the most famous Scottish legend on this list. Most of us are familiar with the centuries-old image of the large, dinosaur-like creature that is said to dwell in the deepest depths of Loch Ness.
What is fae in Scottish slang? ›
Fae is a Scottish preposition that means “from.” English is spoken differently in different places, and the Scottish dialect (called Scots) comes with some of its own words.
In the mid-thirteenth century, Thomas of Cantimpré classified fairies into neptuni of water, incubi who wandered the earth, dusii under the earth, and spiritualia nequitie in celestibus, who inhabit the air.
What are wingless fairies called? ›
Surprisingly, a fairy with a condition causing them to be born without wings is known as an elf. So that's where the term “elf” comes from!
What is the Celtic word for fairy? ›
The Gaelic word sìth or sìdh (pronounced shee) can mean 'fairy' and 'hill' and in Scottish place-names is usually considered to denote a 'fairy hill'. It probably derives from the ellipsis of the Irish phrase aos sídhe 'people of peace'.
What is a Scottish fairy? ›
According to Scottish folklore, these “faeries” or “l*ttle people” come in different forms and have different temperaments. They can be friendly to you or unleash their wrath if you do not respect their wishes. You could be blessed with good luck if you are kind to the Sidhe fairies.
What are Celtic witches called? ›
Answer and Explanation: Celtic witches are called Cailleach, which is pronounced ''kyle-yeukh. '' The Cailleach is known by many names, including Cailleach Bheara, Bronach, Mish and Mal.
What do faeries symbolize? ›
Fairies in these myths may be of the more cartoonish variety and signify simply love, magic and springtime, but most signify things like death, sexual depravity, abduction and general immorality.
What is the Gaelic word for fairy? ›
Fairy isn't the correct term. Aes sídhe is correct, if you're Irish, or Sìth if you're Scottish. Fairy, faerie, fey, wee folk, Tuatha de Danann, fair folk, etc, are all euphemisms or translations into English of the original Gaelic words.
What does fae mean in Scottish? ›
It may be a shortening of the older Scottish preposition frae, which may be related to the preposition fro (as in to and fro), which comes from the Old English word fram, meaning “from.” Fae can be used in most of the same ways that from is used, which is quite a lot.
What is a Sidhe fae? ›
Celtic fae, the Sidhe, are not small, European fairies, but tall and handsome, much like high elves. They inhabited the six Celtic nations (Brittany, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Mann).
