Also called Na Fir Ghorma, storm kelpies.
The tale
The Blue Men live in the strait between Lewis and the Shiant Isles in the Outer Hebrides. They swim up to ships and try to sink them, but their leader will first shout two lines of verse to the captain. If the captain replies at once with a fitting rhyme, the Blue Men leave the ship alone.
When they are met
- when crossing the sea between Lewis and the Shiant Isles
- in stormy weather
Staying on their good side
- a quick and clever reply in verse
- calm courage
- respect for sea conditions
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Learn a short verse or two by heart in their honour.
- Check weather and tides before any boat trip; their tales are warnings.
What their tales teach
- the tales teach quick wits
- respect for the sea
- courage under pressure
Symbols
- the blue-skinned swimmer
- the rhyme
- the Shiant Isles
Much of what is known comes from Donald Mackenzie's early twentieth-century retellings.
Sources
- Mackenzie, Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend
- Mackenzie, Scottish Folk-Lore and Folk Life
More Celtic folklore
- The Banshee The keening woman of the fairy mound
- Selkies The seal folk who come ashore
- The Púca The shape-shifter of November
- The Aos Sí The people of the fairy mounds
- The Kelpie The water horse of the lochs
- The Tylwyth Teg The Fair Family of Wales
- Leprechaun The solitary fairy shoemaker
- Clurichaun The fairy of the wine cellar