Theglaistig/ˈɡlæʃtɪɡ/ is a ghost fromScottish mythology, a type offuath. It is also known asmaighdean uaine — the Green Maiden — and may appear as awoman of beauty ormonstrousmien, as a half-woman and half-goat similar to afaun orsatyr, or in the shape of a goat.[1] The lower goat half of her hybrid form is usually disguised by a long, flowing green robe or dress, and the woman often appears grey with long yellow hair.[2] This appearance may have been influenced by, or influenced, the closely relatedNorse folklore of "hidden-folk",Old Norse:hulder orhuldra, acrossScandinavia[3] — along with theFaeroe Isles andIcelandic:Huldufólk — being beautiful women usually hiding legs and tail of an animal like a fox or a goat beneath clothing or long hair, with her namedSkogsrå orSkogsfrun, the "Mistress of the Forest" in Swedish folklore.[4][5][6]
The glaistig is an ambivalent ghost that appears in legend as both a malicious and benign creature. Some stories have her luring men to her lair via either song or dance, where she would then drink their blood. Other tales have her casting stones in the path of travellers or throwing them off course.
In some benign incarnations, the glaistig is a type oftutelary spirit and protector of cattle and herders. One of the legends in Scotland,[2] in the town ofAch-na-Creige, there was such a spirit protecting the cattle herds. The townsfolk, in gratitude, poured milk from the cows into a hollowed-out stone for her to drink. According to the same legend, her protection was revoked after one local youth poured boiling milk into the stone, burning her. She has also been described in some folklore as watching over children while their mothers milked the cows and fathers watched over the herds.[7]
In some Scottish tales, the cows are replaced with deer, of which the glaistig is fiercely protective.[8] Also known as the Scottish goddess of the hunt, the glaistig was both help and hindrance to hunters, going so far as to hide her herds if the hunters made the mistake of killing a doe instead of a stag.[9] Occasionally, hunters would be granted permission to shoot if they provided an offering, such as the hind of the deer to the herder.[10] Another name of this instance is the Maiden of Callart.[11]
In the neighbouringManx folklore, there is the similarly named shape-shiftingGlashtyn,[12] a water spirit.[citation needed]
Another rendition of the glaistig legend is that she was once a mortal noblewoman, to whom a "fairy" nature had been given[13] or who was cursed with the goat's legs and immortality, and since has been known as "The Green Lady". She might either be benign, watching over houses and looking after the weak mind, or appear as avengeful ghost. In some tales she was murdered in a green dress, and then stuffed unceremoniously up the chimney by a servant.[14] It is said that her footsteps can still be heard as she walks the castle in sadness.[15] In most tales, she would continue to look after the house, upholding household duties, such as washing dishes and sweeping the floor.[10] She might be heard moving around furniture at night. If she becomes offended by the servants or the tenants she is known to play pranks on them. Such Green Lady myths have been associated with a number of locations in Scotland, includingArdnacallich,Dunollie Castle,Loch Fyne,Muchalls Castle,Tulloch Castle, and inWales atCaerphilly. A similar tale ("Ocean Born Mary") has been told inHenniker, New Hampshire.[16]
This article incorporates text fromDwelly's [Scottish] Gaelic Dictionary (1911).
