Also called Each Uisce, Aughisky, the water-horse.
The tale
The each-uisge is a water-horse of the Scottish Highlands, said to be more dangerous than the kelpie because it lives in sea lochs and deep lochs. It appears as a fine horse, or a handsome man, and anyone who touches or mounts it sticks fast and is carried into the water and devoured, all but the liver. In some tales a girl notices sand or waterweed in her suitor's hair and escapes.
When they are met
- near deep lochs and sea lochs
- on dark evenings
Staying on their good side
- never mount a strange horse by water
- stay well away from deep water alone
- teach children water safety
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Treat his tales as a lesson in water safety, as they once were.
- Respect lochs and the sea; they are beautiful and dangerous.
What their tales teach
- the tales teach water safety
- caution with strangers
- respect for wild water
Symbols
- the horse
- the sticky hide
- the bridle
Sources
- Campbell, Superstitions of the Scottish Highlands
- Campbell, Popular Tales of the West Highlands
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