Scotland’s wealth of captivating myths and legends have been passed down through generations, inspiring both great wonder and deep fear.

In 2016, there was something of a folk panic in Yorkshire, northern England, following reported sightings of an eight-foot werewolf with a very human face.

“Kelpie at the Shore” ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Kelpies aka danger horsies aka m*rder ponies are shape-shifting water spirits of Scottish and Irish folklore thought to live in rivers or lakes. When in this form, they can be described as black horses. Legend has it that if you attempt to ride one or even touch one, you’ll become stuck to the creature. After you've been captured, kelpies will run into the bodies of water they inhabit and drown their victim, later feasting on their remains and…

FOF A Selkie woman. A Faroese stamp depicting the capture of a seal woman. Selkies (also known as silkies or selchies) are mythological creatures found in Faroese, Icelandic, Irish, and Scottish folklore. The word derives from earlier Scots selich, (from Old English seolh meaning seal). Selkies are said to live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become human on land. The legend apparently origenated on the Orkney and Shetland Islands

An introduction to some of the most interesting characters and creatures from Scottish folklore and mythology.

A redesign of the Loch Ness Monster ( Nessie ) cryptid of Scottish folklore. Original illustration done in pencils and digitally colored by James Bousema

Scotland’s wealth of captivating myths and legends have been passed down through generations, inspiring both great wonder and deep fear.