Kelpies in local folklore

Kelpies are not just found in the Highlands and Islands. Lots of stories were told about water-horses and kelpies towards the east coast too, including Angus and Perthshire.

Angus folk worked their kelpies hard. The church at St Vigeans and the Laird’s house at Morphie were built by kelpies controlled by magic bridles.

Kelpies left their mark in stone. Apparently there’s a kelpie hoofprint at Vayne Castle near Brechin.

Kelpies liked their home comforts. There’s a loch in the Highlands that never freezes over as a kelpie built a nice warm fireplace underwater...

Kelpies liked to eat people. Young women and children seem to have been particularly at risk, especially if they were playing by a lochside on a Sunday.

Perthshire kelpies could change size as well as shape. Kelpies in Glenogle and Glen Kelteny were able to lengthen their spines, in order to fit lots of children on their backs then ride off with them, never to be seen again

To see if there’s a kelpie near you, visit www.discoverkelpies.co.uk