Glaistig facts for kids
The glaistig is a ghost from Scottish mythology. It is a type of fuath, which is a kind of water spirit. People also call it the maighdean uaine, meaning "Green Maiden."
This creature can look like different things. Sometimes, it appears as a beautiful woman. Other times, it looks like an old, scary hag. It can also be half-woman and half-goat, like a faun or satyr. The goat legs are usually hidden by a long, green robe or dress. The woman part often has grey skin and long yellow hair.
What is a Glaistig?
The glaistig is a mysterious ghost. It can be both good and bad in old stories.
The Bad Glaistig
Some legends say the glaistig is dangerous. It might sing or dance to trick men into its home. There, it would drink their blood. Other tales say it throws stones in front of travelers. It might also try to make them get lost.
The Good Glaistig
But in other stories, the glaistig is a helpful spirit. It protects cattle and the people who herd them. For example, in one Scottish legend, a glaistig protected the cattle in the town of Ach-na-Creige.
The people of the town were very thankful. They would pour milk from their cows into a special hollow stone for her to drink. However, the story says her protection stopped. This happened after a young person poured boiling milk into the stone, which burned her. Some folklore also says she watched over children. She would do this while their mothers milked cows and fathers watched the herds.
The Green Lady
Another version of the glaistig story says she was once a normal noblewoman. She might have been given fairy powers or cursed with goat legs and immortality. Since then, she has been known as "The Green Lady."
She could be kind, watching over houses and helping those who were confused. Or she could be a vengeful ghost. In some tales, she was murdered while wearing a green dress. People say her footsteps can still be heard. She walks the castle sadly.
Many places in Scotland have Green Lady myths. These include Ardnacallich, Dunollie Castle, Loch Fyne, and Muchalls Castle. There is also a similar story in Wales at Caerphilly. A similar tale, "Ocean Born Mary," is told in Henniker, New Hampshire.
Here are some places linked to Green Lady stories:
- Green Lady of Fyvie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Green Lady of Ashintully Castle in Perthshire, Scotland
- Green Lady of Ballindalloch Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Green Lady of the Barony of Ladyland in North Ayrshire, Scotland
- Green Lady of Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
- Green Lady of Knock Castle (Isle of Skye)
- Green Lady of Longleat in Somerset, South West England
Glaistigs in Stories
Glaistigs sometimes appear in books and other stories.
- A glaistig is a small character in Martha Wells' 2006 short story The Potter's Daughter.
- A dark fairy queen named The Glaistig appears in "Waycross." This is a short story by Caitlin R. Kiernan.
- A glaistig is in Emma Bull's fantasy novel War For the Oaks.
- Glaistig Uaine is a supervillain in the web series Worm. She can take the powers of other superhumans.
- Glaistigs are also in Melissa Marr's young adult series, Wicked Lovely.
