Nuckelavee

The tale

The nuckelavee is the most terrible monster of Orkney folklore, a skinless horse and rider fused together, with black blood coursing through yellow veins. He comes from the sea and brings blight on crops and disease on cattle, and was said to be enraged by the smoke of burning seaweed for kelp. He cannot cross fresh running water, and one man escaped him by leaping across a stream.

When they are met

• summer, when the Mither o' the Sea keeps him bound
• winter storytelling nights

Staying on their good side

• cross fresh running water, which he cannot pass
• keep a respectful balance with the sea

Honouring them, or keeping safe

1. Tell his tale as an Orkney winter story, not as something to call on.
2. Let it remind you to care for the land and sea, as the old fear of blight did.

What their tales teach

• the tales teach respect for the balance of nature
• courage in terror

Symbols

• the skinless horse and rider
• running fresh water

Sources

• Dennison, Orkney Folklore (The Scottish Antiquary, 1891 to 1893)
• Marwick, The Folklore of Orkney and Shetland

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