Also called Redcap, Bloody Cap, Powrie, Dunter.
The tale
Red Cap lives in the ruined peel towers of the Scottish and English Border, places where blood was once spilt. He is a short, sturdy old man with long teeth, iron boots and a red cap, which he dyes afresh in the blood of travellers. He can be driven off by Scripture or a cross, and is said to haunt Hermitage Castle, where he served the evil Lord Soulis.
When they are met
- near ruined towers and castles
- at night
Staying on their good side
- stay away from old ruins at night
- read a passage of Scripture or show a cross, as old tales advise
- never linger where he is said to live
Honouring them, or keeping safe
- Visit Border castles in daylight and think on the violence of their history.
- Remember the people of the Borders who lived through centuries of raiding.
What their tales teach
- the tales teach the memory of violent places
- respect for ruins
Symbols
- the red cap
- iron boots
- the pikestaff
- ruined peel towers
Sources
- Henderson, Notes on the Folk-Lore of the Northern Counties of England and the Borders
- Briggs, A Dictionary of Fairies
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