Wednesday, July 03, 2019

The Scottish Legend of the Kelpie..

IMG 3673 A white Horse Inn
White horse in Armidale NSW

The Kelpie or Kelpy is a shape-shifting water horse that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland.  The Kelpie's name may derive form the Scottish Gaelic words 'Cailpeach' or Colpach', meaning heifer or colt.

As a beautiful white horse, the spirit is said to be found at the waters edge where it temps unsuspecting weary travellers to climb upon it's back.  Then the creatures dives immediately into the water drowning its rider who is unable to climb off. 

This legend is similar to the 'Brook Horse' of Scandinavian heritage, with the Welsh and Irish having their own version of this story.

In Scotland there are some modern Kelpies.  These kelpies are 30 meter high horse head sculptures depicting kelpies (shape shifting water spirits), standing next to a new extension to the Forth and Clyde Canal, and near River Carron.  This was opened in October 2013 in the Falkirk Council Area.

Read more about Kelpies and other horse water spirits @ Ancient Origins

Images @ Eminpee Fotography

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