and Br

uch virtue, se

r the Wate

tly slips

ater in a

nd several o

ams, and gre

elfs and br

d fairies daunc

es Cler

nies," the mere expression "fairy" at once calling up and suggesting green-clad dainty figures, dwelling amid picturesque sylvan su

allant bearing and romantic surroundings, but in the further possession of greater

elegant in appearance, and richly attired. They dw

th the sy

spacious bo

nd tournaments were the very reflection of Courtly gallantry. Processions were a frequent form of display; and clothed in exquisite green raiment, and mounted on bravely caparisoned milk-white steeds of the finest mettle, they passed with haughty mien and lordly air

vers made from adders' sloughs, were "tipped with deadly plagues." When mortals offended, it was on their cattle the fairies usually wreaked their vengeance by shooting them with their magic bows and arrows. Such elf-shot cattle exhibited all the symptoms of malignant cramp. Animals quite as innocent, but who, blunderingly unconscious, threatened to trample their diminutive bodies under foot as they passed along, were as summarily treated-at least that was a common explanation to account for puzzling forms of cattle-ill; for the wound of the true elf arrow was so small that evidence of penetration was almost impossible of vis

changelings could only be detected and expelled by certain charms and mystic practice, which also permitted the real babe to be restored. The explanation of such kidnapping was that every seventh year "Kain," in the form of a living sacrifice from the ranks of

before the birth of a child it was a common practice to surround the expectant mother with everything about the household made of steel, such as scissors, wool-clippers, knives, needles, and so forth, which it was firmly believed kept the evil disposition of the fairy spirits at bay, and prevented any unhallowed tampering with the child. It was also customary for the friends of t

Hogg's fine ballad of "Kilmeny" is founded on a young maiden being carried off to Fairyland, who in the

te in the

y cam'

ff, for the utilitarian purpose of nursing the fairy children,

with fairies face to face, however much by accident. Death might e

with supernatural power such as in olden days the "seers" were believed to possess, the whole fairy fabric crumbled to its true appearance. Gold

race of the ancient Pictish Kingdom of Scotland, for like the fairy and brownie of popular imagination, the Picts dwelt in underground abodes, being what is termed "mound-dwellers." They were a small people, untiring in their labours, and possessing great strength, or as it has been aptly expressed, "they were 'unca wee' bodies, but terribly strong." As well

. At all events it may be in part at least accepted, in so far as it is founded on a basis of fact, and if it does not quite explain the splendour and high-born attributes of Fairyland, it at least goes far to account for the unvarying

s in G

ribed as the scene of the last stand made by the Picts, as they were driven

e a King i

man to

the Picts

d them l

es of re

ed as t

d the dwar

ing and t

g her some of the healing water for the decrepit little morsel she carried, as she was tired and done. Churlishly enough the man refused, and roughly told her she could go her own errands. The little woman bore his abuse patiently enough, then, naming him, solemnly warned him "never again to sit down on her hoose-riggin' or he might look to it"-and then somehow she seemed to disappear. The man began to regret his ungracious conduct, all the more that it was generally believed that b

afternoon of the day of his son's birth the herd received an urgent message to proceed at once to his master's castle of Cardoness, in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. There were many little domestic matters to attend to before the poor man could leave his wife and child to set out on his long journey, and the night was already well adva

iries ..

lays, with s

ly courser

airy

. Copland,

ror was not abated when he was made aware that a little blue torch, a sure forerunner of death, was burning on the side of the track they had passed along. Meanwhile his young wife and child were all alone in the cottage. About midnight the mother, to whom the night seemed unending, was startled by hearing the trample of horses, the jingle of bridles, the lumber of wheels, and a buzzing sound of voices. Cla

have come for your child

in her agony, and almost instantly there

her bed, and lighting her cruisie lamp, she was overjoyed to find that her child w

ie, going to his door about midnight that same Hallow-eve, was startled to see a gro

hood, illustrates how the good offices of the fairy aided an old help

rticularly of his new-made wife, who scorned her and refused to give her even the bare necessities of life. With her eyes fixed on the ground, she almost unconsciously let her attention turn to a round whorl-like stone, with a hole through it, lying at her feet. Not attaching much importance to it she, almo

ge door seemed to open of its own accord, and, looking down, she saw a diminutive

man, so she answered that she wa

ndly laugh and said, "Not much comfor

troubles; then, as she rose to go, she said, "If ye've still got that queer little stone ye fand to-day wi' the h

rey, who lived with his wife on his own little croft at Portencockerie, was startled

joining him, began to scold also. "Tak' yer

rned to the frightened man and woman, and in a tiny penetrating voice that made them even more frightened, said-"The poor folk! much they get

luence of fear, tried hard to make amends, but the old wo

he Fairy Park. It is said that a large company of fairies were observed by two individuals, who at the time were not near each other, crossing the fields near Kenmure, in the parish

lked, when they met what seemed to be a very beautiful child, whom they unsuccessfully made every endeavour to catch hold of. Skilfully, however, and with ev

e morning. The supposed child answered that there was an ox down below that had annoyed him and his people for a long time by always standing on the top of their dwelling-place, but that he would trouble them no more. T

ghie Glen, and the Grennan were notoriously fairy-occupied; and between Kirkbride and Killumpha their imaginary tracks left on the stones and rocks used

ourhood, but no trace of the child could be found. Late in the evening, however, from the top of the heugh, beside Slock-an-a-gowre, he was discovered, by the merest accident, asleep on a green plot on the cliff far below, fully two miles from his home. How he got there to this day is a mystery. To assume that any per

e sheep and the cry of the whaup, the tumble and plash of burn and stream, are the only sounds that greet the shepherd's e

onely place, and at such a very great distance from all known habitations, that she did not observe when the little woman withdrew or which way she went. Next day, however, the same little woman re-entered the cottage, and duly paid the borrowed 'saut.' This time the goodwife was more alert, and as she turned to replace 'the saut in the sautkit' she observed 'wi' the tail

-borrowing and lending small articles, evidently with a view to produce an intimacy; and it was uniforml

some dirty water into the jaw-hole (sink or cesspool

your jaw-hole anither way, as a' your foul water rins directly in at my door? It sta

ble habitation being situated 'on the aff-side o' the tree at the house en',' it could easily be con

f Myrton, a stronghold of the M'Cullochs in bygone days, stands. Within the policies of Monreith House, in the parish of Mochrum, on the beautifully-wooded shore of the Whi

drawn from The Heredita

esult, in which M'Culloch, in the words of his indictment, 'did shot at the said Gordon with a gun charged, and by the shot broke his thigh-bone and leg, so that he immediately fell to the ground, and within a few hours thereafter died of the same shot wound.' Sir Godfrey fled the country, and some years af

. There is a very different

ng of workmen forming a new sewer from his house to the White Loch below it. Suddenly he was startled by the apparition close beside him of a very little old man whose hair and beard were snowy white, wh

the Brownies![21] My palace has been for ages in the mound on which your Tower

such direction as might least incommode his Majesty, if he would graciously indicate the same. His courtesy was accepted, and Sir Godfrey rece

nt's hesitation, and rode straight up to the cart on which Sir Godfrey, accompanied by the executioner and a minister, was standing. They plainly saw Sir Godfrey get on the horse behind the little man, who was no other than the King of the Brownies (and thus fulfilled his promise by arriving in his hour of need): the two recrossed the loch, and, mounting the castle rock, they disappeared. When the astonished crowd again turned their eyes to the cart a figure was still there, and

a realistic account of the last appearance of the fairies there has

her tiny features, the elf solicited the favour of 'a wee sowp o' milk for an unweel wean.' They then entered freely into conversation, and walked together to the byre, where the Fairy was duly supplied with what she had asked for. She was very profuse with her thanks, and foretold that her donor would never be without a pinch of snuff (of all things) while she should require it. It w

laborated by Mr Cannon, and appears in the Bards of

d in Sorbie village, behaved in such a fretful, passionate, and vixenish way that the parents were at last forced to the unwelcome conclusion that it was not their child at all, but a changeling. Much distressed they sought the advice of a wise woman living at Kirkinner, who plainly enough substantiated the suspici

ng in t

. Copland,

order, and just a few minutes before nine, in came Lucky M'R

iddle of the floor, paved with water-stones. She motioned Peggy and Jamie to sit down on them, and lighting the candle, with the ether

d arms together with some red clouts she had in her pouch, and threw't into the riddle, and

ose from the burning rowan-tree, she held the wean amang the thickest o't,

nae notice; then it begged and fleech't with the father and mother to save't, for it was c

away, and nobody ever heeded them, till at last the wean gave a great scraich, and rase out of the

nd at last a gentle knocking came to the door, a

'm wee Tammie

oured by the beings of supernatural power. Witchcraft abo

on of a youth, and an abortive attempt to win freedom after serving seven years. Round this vestige of fairy-l

the tramping of horses' feet, the giggling and laughing of the riders, and the jingling of their bridle bits. I instantly turned round to see what this troop of early travellers could be; but my eye rested not then on the broad holm of Dalarran and the grey turrets of Kenmure Castle, of which there was a goodly prospect from the place where

d Lyon. But I am not dead, as is generally believed, but was carried away by the fairies of Holm Glen, and a body resembling mine placed in the river ford. And I have been permitted to appear unto thee at thi

with one whom I had so long considered to be dead. I shook him h

be offered up a sacrifice in hell, and t

that the tears trickled down

I am at present? Pull me down from the chestnut-brown steed upon which I ride, for I will be the last man of that gay troop. They will turn me into a variety of frightful shapes in thy arms, and lastly i

led him. Through fear he refused his aid, but ever afterwards was haunted and

em are Hazelfield, Auchencairn, the Nick of Lochenkit, "where the fairies have been seen dancing in t

iesshire illustrates the malignant side of their nature, and tells of the dro

us, and showed the ice they had so lately left, clad wi' unco players frae side to side; and muckle mirth, din, and deray was there, bumpers o' the red wine were flowin' roun', and there tripped maidens, jimp and tall as yon rowan-trees by the burnie side and fairer than the snow on Logan braes. Swiftly the weary players returned to the margin of the loch, but nane durst venture on the ice for a considerable time. But there were three neibor lairds, in the three Mailins of Culloch, Cocklick, and Drumlane. A' the three were surnamed Morrison, and ilka ane had seven strapping sons, wha never feared skaith frae man nor deil, and sae they a' quickly joined the thrang. Bit strange to tell, the very moment the last o' the ane-an'-twenty was aboon deep water, the ice rent from en' to en' wi' a crac

es there yet lingers the tradition of fairy song and music

in Dumfr

ral examples of fairy-lore gathered together

f gratitude on the part of the fairies when a g

table was placed there, heaped with the choicest cheese, bread, and wine. He who marked out the thorn sat down without hesitation, eating and drinking heartily, saying, 'Fair fa' the hands whilk gie.' Hi

rkmanship, requesting her courteously to fill it with her new meal. Her demand was cheerfully complied with. In a week the comely little dame returned with the borrowed meal

A little, lovely boy, dressed in green, came to her, saying, 'Coupe yere dish-water farther frae yere doorstep; i

of the fairies, and was celebrated by a triumphal march or ride known

y 3rd), and the following account is supposed to have bee

it was the Fairie Fowks' Rade. We cowered down till they passed by. A leam o' light was dancing owre them, mair bonnie than moon-shine; they were a' wee, wee fowk, wi' green scarfs on, but ane that rade foremost, and that ane was a guid deal langer than the lave, wi' bonnie lang hair bun' about wi' a strap, whilk glented lyke stars. They rade on braw wee whyte naigs, wi' unco lang swoaping tails an' manes hung wi' whustles that t

he instinct of natural affection with which the fairies were always cre

ild, when a pretty lady came into her cottage, covered with a fairy man

hild,' said

he child belonged, took it kindly in

ppeared, saying, 'Nurse

or both children, with meat of most delicious flavour. This food tasted, says tradition, like loaf mixed with wine and h

ggy woods, skirting the side of a beautiful green hill, they walked midway up. On its sunward slope a door opened, disclosing a beauteous porch, which they entered, and the turf closed behind them. The Fairy dropped three drops of a precio

bstance. Boxes of salves, for restoring mortal health and curing mortal wou

look. She beheld many of her lost friends and acquaintances d

'is the punishme

its mortal faculties. She was conducted to the porc

s, till she was the mother of many children; but happening to meet the

see me wi'?'

baith,' sa

en the power of the box failed t

magery is also manifest i

ar to a Scottish lover he followed the sound, and discovered the fairy banquet. A green table, with feet of gold, was placed across a small rivulet, and richly furnished with pure bread and wines of sweetest flavour.

t form has already been described in connection with Sorbie village, in Wigtownshire. Th

e knew how, for an antiquated elf of hideous aspect. It kept the family awake with its nightly yells; biting the mother's b

'Wer't nae for thy girning face I would knock

the elf, 'and tent the neighb

utlyers were foddered, the hand-mill moved around, as by insti

istress's approach, it was restored to the cradle, and began to yell anew. Th

wi' the wee d

a pirn,' rep

wing hot, and the maid, undressing the elf, tossed it on the fire. It uttered the wildest and most piercing yells, and, in a momen

, bring back the ba

armed on the mother's lap, while its grisly substi

ratitude for a favour, and resentment at insult

, when they both felt a strong smell of burning c

ke's bu

it wi', then,' said a voic

ead and cheese left in its place. He partook of both, and likewise gave some to his horses, but his companion would neither taste himself nor allow

led became in the times of the Persecution a place of worship. On this account no longer could the fairy revelry and dance continue, and it was firmly believed in the d

ed gathering-place of the fairies, who were often seen dancing

reen knoll which overlooks what is called the Waird, ... formerly covered with the wavi

May Day to celebrate the advent of summer; contingents came in from Kello Water, Glen Aylmer, and Glen Wharry, and when all had gathered together they rode merrily over the knowes t

s seems to have been rather disposed towards evil than good. Young men as well as young women were carried off, the former to

e entreated him to repair alone to the barn on the following night, set open the doors, and watch there till the hour of midnight, when he would see three forms pass before him, of which she would be the last. She told him he was then to seize fast hold of her, to re

Sidh (pronounced shee) is a fairy, with the diminutive sidhean (sheen), which more especially carries the meaning of Fairy H

Brow

rformed in the dark hours of the night. No work came amiss to Brownie-reaping, threshing, sheep-shearing, and gathering, churning, and even meaner kitchen drudgery-and all in the most disinterested fashion, a bowl of cream, or as Nicholson phrases it, "a cogfu' o' brose" being all that he would accept

is cream at leasure and blow up the smouldering embers of the fire to bask his full length in its warmth, for at hear

e same family for generations, but his service was only given to good and worthy people,

at the kitchen fireside and listen to their chatter. He was singularly alive to unworthy intentio

d himself was affected by their disposition and actio

more than his hand to anyone. On the decease of a beloved master he was heard to make moan, and would not partake of his wonted delicacy for many days. The heir of the land arrived from foreign parts and took possession of his father's inheritance. The faithful

cutti

uck o' L

me to Bo

and 'bonnie Bodsbeck' flourished under the

said to be so energetic as to easily perform the work of ten men, and threshing with s

comely dame. A lover naturally appeared, and their meetings were made all the easier through Bro

The brownie, enraged at the loitering serving-man, wrapped himself in his lady's fur cloak; and though the Nith was foaming high flood, his steed, impelled by supernatural spur and whip, passed it

ol,' quo' she, 'lest we

dame, ye've met a' the

re the servant lad was just pulling on his boots; he unbuckled th

evil hour consented, and the worthy reforming saint concealed himself in the barn to surprise the brownie at his work. He appeared like a little, wrinkled, ancient man, and began his nightly moil. The priest leapt

ence of a very sportive one. He loved to be, betimes, somewhat mischievous. Two lasses, having made a fine bowlful of buttered brose, had taken it into the byr

sups,' cried the on

, indeed,' cr

d voice, 'Brownie has go

pent the night long at this task. In the morning not only had he the sheep together, but amongst them was half a dozen hares. "De

otland we are dealing with-the south-west-that has produced the most typical examples, in prose as well as in poetry, for Dumfriesshire claims that fine Covenanting story, "

nie of B

trange wight

nt a body d

lang, but h

eary, dr

are like the gl

ie cloud has i

g moon when she'

'twas Ai

bauldest

glower till the

ess phantom m

ark for A

en the bair

t this wild and

n 'tween the da

d out, "A

th Jock, "d'ye

s a hole where a no

ike a gash which

's frae A

growling, cow

warfed, loot

brack as he m

ght o' Ai

ad on his bre

ard wan'ered d

' his e'e nae B

kimes o'

y form there w

beg o' the

knees played a

ght was A

e arms three

on the grun' by

guidman hims

at Aik

a score, him

ried, but her t

g ane closer c

d frae Ai

uld wife cam' t

the Bible might

, bogle, ghai

ar'dna Ai

otect us!" quoth

hare won ye-by

peak-by the Be

ane gae A

lan' whar we

pot whare a bu

now wi' you, if

rk for Ai

your sheep i'

crap by the li

airns wi' an

eep puir A

e linn when y

kirn, and I'll

st fillie tha

t," quoth

od frae the fl

dew frae the

y face in your c

leasure to

guids, gear,

eddin', sho

brose 'tween the

ge o' Aik

auld wife, "The

e scant-we hae

he says-be he

try this

s skirled "He'

look gars us

ane will the h

ink but o'

nd a stalwart

brooding aboo

to light o'

glower o'

labors! ye h

as now, and th

them a' wi' a s

a's down,

t side what

gleam, or the gl

sh-and the Bro

u' was Ai

ay awa' or th

ok straught on Ma

nane saw him hi

e sought A

anks, and on

ay a toiled

played harmless

al was A

wife, fu' o'

s feat for the

pair o' her ai

ose o' Ai

d decide, when

him and the b

ay forth he was

issed was

y a herd gaun

ang now may I g

e gotten baith

ess Aike

angling sce

and your con

ible voice o' a

ts 'bout A

wnie o' Blednoc

s feet's left

wife and

feats o'

ht loons that

guests and

och Mill hae

roun' for

o'ks hae got

set, and the sta

linn in the how

s like A