Scottish Legends: The each-uisge
By zteve t evans
In Scottish mythology the each-uisge is a supernatural water horse that haunts the Highlands. The name each-uisge means water horse in Scottish Gaelic. In Ireland the equivalent is the each-uisace, or Ech-Ushkya and on the Isle of Man they have the cabyll-ushtey.
It has a reputation of being the most dangerous water monster in Britain. The each-uisge reputedly lives in the sea and also freshwater lochs. It is often erroneously taken for Kelpie, which are also supernatural water creatures, but live in rivers and streams. These are not regarded as being as dangerous as the each-uisge.
It has a reputation of being the most dangerous water monster in Britain. The each-uisge reputedly lives in the sea and also freshwater lochs. It is often erroneously taken for Kelpie, which are also supernatural water creatures, but live in rivers and streams. These are not regarded as being as dangerous as the each-uisge.
The each-uisge by Liza Phoenix
Shapeshifting to a horse
The each-uisge has the ability to shift its shape. It can appear as a magnificent horse, a giant bird, or as a man. Anyone who rides it when it has changed into a horse can only be safe while riding in the interior of the land. If the each-uisge smells, or gets the smallest glimpse of water, the rider becomes stuck to its back. The creature then makes for a loch or deep water taking the stuck rider to the deepest part where he is drowned. The each-uisge tears its victim apart and eats the body only leaving the liver which is said to float to the surface.
Shapeshifting into a human
When the each-uisge shifts its shape to human form it becomes a very good looking and attractive man. The only way that it can be recognized as being inhuman is by the water weeds in its hair. For this reason Highlanders were always careful and on their guard when a lone horse or stranger was seen by the edge of water, especially by a known lair of the creature. The each-uisge also preys on cattle and sheep as well as humans. The smell of roasting meat can entice it from the water.
The Blacksmith’s Revenge
A story from More West Highland Tales, by McKay tells of how a blacksmith's daughter from Raasay fell victim to the each-uisge. Determined to take revenge the blacksmith and his son set to work in their forge manufacturing a set of huge iron hooks. Taking these down to the loch side where the beast lived they roast a sheep, while heating the hooks in the fire until they were red hot. As evening fell the smell of roast mutton drifted across the loch and thick, grey, mist arose. From out of the mist the each-uisge appeared from the depths and attempted to steal the roasting meat. The blacksmith and his son attacked the creature sticking the red hot hooks into its flesh. After a struggle they managed to kill it. When dawn broke all that was left of the each-uisge was a thick sludge on the ground.
A guardian
Some people think the each-usige is a water spirit that guards the watery path to the afterlife where our ancestors live on. Its task is to test the person’s worth. If it does not kill you then you are a judged worthy and carried to the underworld to join our forefathers
© 14/01/2015 zteve t evans
The each-uisge has the ability to shift its shape. It can appear as a magnificent horse, a giant bird, or as a man. Anyone who rides it when it has changed into a horse can only be safe while riding in the interior of the land. If the each-uisge smells, or gets the smallest glimpse of water, the rider becomes stuck to its back. The creature then makes for a loch or deep water taking the stuck rider to the deepest part where he is drowned. The each-uisge tears its victim apart and eats the body only leaving the liver which is said to float to the surface.
Shapeshifting into a human
When the each-uisge shifts its shape to human form it becomes a very good looking and attractive man. The only way that it can be recognized as being inhuman is by the water weeds in its hair. For this reason Highlanders were always careful and on their guard when a lone horse or stranger was seen by the edge of water, especially by a known lair of the creature. The each-uisge also preys on cattle and sheep as well as humans. The smell of roasting meat can entice it from the water.
The Blacksmith’s Revenge
A story from More West Highland Tales, by McKay tells of how a blacksmith's daughter from Raasay fell victim to the each-uisge. Determined to take revenge the blacksmith and his son set to work in their forge manufacturing a set of huge iron hooks. Taking these down to the loch side where the beast lived they roast a sheep, while heating the hooks in the fire until they were red hot. As evening fell the smell of roast mutton drifted across the loch and thick, grey, mist arose. From out of the mist the each-uisge appeared from the depths and attempted to steal the roasting meat. The blacksmith and his son attacked the creature sticking the red hot hooks into its flesh. After a struggle they managed to kill it. When dawn broke all that was left of the each-uisge was a thick sludge on the ground.
A guardian
Some people think the each-usige is a water spirit that guards the watery path to the afterlife where our ancestors live on. Its task is to test the person’s worth. If it does not kill you then you are a judged worthy and carried to the underworld to join our forefathers
© 14/01/2015 zteve t evans
Reference and Attributions
Copyright January 14th 2015 zteve t evans
Copyright January 14th 2015 zteve t evans
- File:Eachuisge.jpg - From Wikimedia Commons - Eachuisge CC BY-SA 3.0 - Liza Phoenix - Own work
- Each-uisge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Each Uisge | Mysterious Britain & Ireland
