The Lure of the Kelpie

Few Kelpies found around Scotland can be accused of being pleasant, but the shapeshifting water horses of Sutherland are some of the most terrifying. While all of these supernatural creatures liked to feast on unsuspecting humans, one of Sutherland’s Kelpies had very specific tastes.

Parents warned their little ones that something dangerous hunted children down by the loch, so under no circumstances should they play near the water. However, the more that the youngsters were told of the dangers, the more alluring the loch seemed to be. They wanted to see this ferocious beast for themselves.

One Sunday, when they should have been in church or studying their scripture, a group of children were playing truant. Eight of them had sneaked down to the side of the loch and were playing in the shallows when a gentle padding sound came from behind them. They froze in horror and slowly turned, as excited as they were terrified at whatever they would find.

Rather than the hideous monster they had expected, it was the most beautiful horse they had ever seen. Nervous laughter filled the air as the horse kneeled down beside them and gently whinnied while the youngsters fussed over it. One of the children squealed in excitement and hopped on the horse’s back, followed by another and another.

Before long, seven children were astride the animal which seemed to increase in length ever so slightly to accommodate them all. Only young Dougal was left whose mother had been very clear about avoiding stray horses, but on the other hand, he didn’t like being left out. As nervous as he felt, there was something inviting about the animal that he just couldn’t seem to resist.

As he edged closer, Dougal reached his hand out and touched the horse’s coat with just one finger. Suddenly, he felt a strange feeling surge through his body and began to panic. Something seemed to be drawing the boy closer and he had to fight the urge to jump on behind his friends.

With the last of his willpower, Dougal pulled out his little knife and in one swift motion chopped off his own finger. At that, the Kelpie roared in rage, reared up with the other children on its back and galloped into the water. Soon it had disappeared deep below the surface, along with Dougal’s finger and his friends who were never seen again.