Tag Archives: folklore

The Baobhan Sith: Scotland’s Legendary Bloodthirsty Woman

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In the Scottish Highlands, there have been tales of a bloodthirsty creature, in disguise of a beautiful and seductive woman. The Baobhan Sith, a much older version of the vampire lore as we know of it today, still remains in between the lore and stories we tell ourselves.

In the misty glens and ancient forests of the Scottish Highlands, where the wind carries whispers of forgotten tales and the land itself feels alive with ancient magic, lingers the legend of the Baobhan Sith — a deadly, seductive vampire spirit of Gaelic folklore. 

Sometimes pronounced baa-van shee, her name translates roughly to “fairy woman”, but there is nothing benign about this creature. Beautiful yet malevolent, the Baobhan Sith was said to lure unwary travelers to grisly deaths, draining their blood beneath the cover of night.

Origins in Highland Lore

The Baobhan Sith legend belongs to Scotland’s rich tapestry of fairy and supernatural beliefs, although she might remind us more about a succubus or even a vampire-like creature. Like many creatures of Celtic folklore, she occupies a space between fairy and vampire — both a spirit of nature and a bloodthirsty predator.

The Green Clad: In addition to the Irish Banshee or the Succubus, the Baobhan Sith can also remind about the Scandinavian Huldra or Hylje. Often described as a beautiful green clad woman with animalistic features she hides before seducing men. Although the Huldra is more about luring the men into the mountains. Here from the play Peer Gynt where she is a character.

Folklore suggests the Baobhan Sith would typically appear as an enchanting, green-clad woman with long, flowing hair. But beneath her alluring appearance lay clawed hands and fangs, hidden until she chose to strike. Traditionally, she was said to emerge at night, often in the lonely Highland wilderness, where travelers, hunters, and wanderers might become her prey.

The Lure of Beauty and Dance

According to legend, groups of men traveling or hunting would sometimes wish aloud for the company of women. Their innocent desires would be answered by the sudden appearance of beautiful, ethereal women who seemed to emerge from the mists themselves. The Baobhan Sith would dance with the men — a popular motif in Celtic folklore where the act of dance carries supernatural consequences — and, at the height of merriment, reveal their true nature.

Once the men were entranced, the Baobhan Sith would use their sharp talons to slash at their victims and drink their blood, often leaving lifeless, pale bodies behind by morning. Some versions of the tale describe them feeding in groups, often appearing in fours.

In a similar tale one of the men noticed that the women had deer hooves instead of feet and fled from them. He returned the next morning to find that the other hunters had their “throats cut and chests laid open”.

In a third story the hunters took refuge in a cave. Each of the men said he wished his own sweetheart were there that night, but one of them, named Macphee, who was accompanied by his black dog, said he preferred his wife to remain at home. At that moment a group of young women entered the cave, and the men who had wished for their sweethearts were killed. Macphee was protected by his dog who drove the women from the cave.

The Story of the Men Meeting The Baobhan Sith

The story of the creatures normally goes something like this:

Four hunters, weary from a day in the hills, stumbled upon an old bothy as night fell. Inside, a fire waited, as though expecting them. As flames licked the hearth, one of the men joked, “All we need now are four beautiful women.” The wind answered with a knock.

At the door stood four stunning women in green, their eyes cold and unnatural. The men, smitten and careless, welcomed them in. Laughter turned to song, and song to dancing. One by one, the hunters twirled in the arms of their enchanting guests — all except the eldest, who grew uneasy. The fire flickered, and he caught a glimpse of something crimson.

His blood chilled. One of the women had slit the youngest hunter’s throat, her lips dark with blood. The others fell swiftly, caught in the women’s gaze as sharp nails tore them open.

He bolted into the night, the women following, their voices sweet and terrible. He dove among the iron-shod horses — the one thing they feared. The Baobhan Sith circled, hissing and begging, then cursing him with promises of death.

But dawn came. And with the first pale light, they vanished.

At sunrise, he returned to the bothy. His friends were cold and bloodless. Weeping, he vowed to tell the tale — to warn others of the green-clad death that dances in the Highlands.

The Weakness of Iron and the Protection of Cattle

Much like other fae and vampiric beings of the Celtic world, the Baobhan Sith was believed to have certain weaknesses. Iron was said to repel her, as it does with many fairy creatures in Gaelic folklore. Travelers would carry small iron charms or weapons for protection.

Another tradition claimed that taking refuge among livestock, particularly cattle, could offer safety. The Baobhan Sith was said to be reluctant to approach herds of animals, perhaps owing to their association with fertility and the natural order — realms where spirits of death had no dominion.

The Baobhan Sith in Modern Culture

Though tales of the Baobhan Sith have their roots in oral Highland tradition, the creature has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years, appearing in novels, films, and fantasy games exploring vampire and Celtic mythos. Modern interpretations often emphasize her duality — both tragic and monstrous — reflecting themes of isolation, forbidden desire, and the dangers lurking in the untamed wild.

Ultimately, the Baobhan Sith stands as a chilling reminder of the Highlands’ wild, untamed heart, where the line between beauty and terror is perilously thin. She embodies the folkloric warning against succumbing to temptation, the perils of the night, and the ancient belief that not all is as it seems beneath Scotland’s mist-clad hills.

In the modern world, her legend endures as one of Scotland’s darkest and most alluring vampire myths, a spectral woman in green forever waiting in the shadows for an unwary soul.

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References:

Baobhan sith – Wikipedia

The Baobhan Sith – Folklore Scotland

Anchanchu: The Shapeshifting Vampire of Bolivia’s Lonely Roads

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In the loneliest corner of the Andean highlands of Bolivia and Peru, an Aymaran legend of the Anchanchu or the Abchanchu is said to lurk. Disguised as an elderly man, weary from his travels, he uses people’s goodness to attack and drink their blood. 

Come in, come abchanchu, do not do any harm, because Mallcu protects me.
– Chant to keep the monsters at bay

South America is no stranger to terrifying folklore — from weeping women haunting riverbanks to spectral riders in the dead of night their ancient and distinct cultures throughout history has given rise to so many different legends and myths. 

One of the more obscure and perhaps not so well known tales chills the blood quite like that of Anchanchu, sometimes known as the Abchanchu, one of Bolivia’s most enduring and sinister legends. For generations, whispers of this deceptive creature have echoed through mountain villages and remote country paths, warning travelers of the horrors that may lurk beneath a frail, human guise.

Vampires on the Road: Said to haunt the deserted roads in highland Bolivia, the Anchanchu appears as an old man before attacking. The Anchanchu: In Aymara mythology, Anchanchu or Janchanchu (Hispanic spelling, Anchancho) is a terrible demon that haunts caves, rivers, and other isolated places. This deity is closely related to the Uru god Tiw. He is also said to be a vampiric deity, feeding on people’s blood.

The Legend of the Bloodthirsty Trickster

At first glance, Anchanchu appears as nothing more than a harmless, elderly man on the side of the road, a hunched figure, weary from travel, moving slowly along the dusty Bolivian roads. His face is lined with age, his clothes tattered from long journeys, and he leans heavily on a walking stick, luring in his unsuspecting victims. 

But behind those sorrowful eyes lies a predator.

Anchanchu is a vampire of ancient origin, known for his ability to shapeshift into this deceptive, vulnerable form. 

When a kind-hearted passerby offers to assist the seemingly feeble traveler, walking him to safety or providing shelter for the night when he knocks on your door, it’s then that his true, monstrous nature is revealed. The helpless elder transforms into a savage creature, attacking his victim under the cover of darkness and drinking their blood.

Sometimes he lures the victims to his home, promising them a hot meal or anything to get them inside. Other times he plays on your good will, and you bring him home and give a bed for the night. Even if you survive the attack, you will slowly die of the disease the monster leaves you with. 

In some versions of the tale, it’s said the vampire leaves little trace of his victims, allowing him to wander from town to town, his terrible secret forever cloaked by his kindly, unassuming appearance.

A Cautionary Tale Born from Bolivia’s Mountains

The legend of Anchanchu is believed to have originated in Bolivia’s Andean highlands, where treacherous mountain paths wind between isolated villages. It is believed that the vampire story comes from an older demon lore of the modern Aymara people in Bolivia and Peru. 

The Aymara People: The Aymara or Aimara people are indigenous people in the Andes and Altiplano regions of South America. The ancestors of the Aymara lived in the region for many centuries before becoming a subject of the Inca Empire in the late 15th or early 16th century and later of the Spanish in the 16th century.

In these remote regions, travelers would often rely on the kindness of strangers for survival — a fact that the myth of Anchanchu turns tragically on its head. It used to be confined to small regions until the 18th century, when tales of the monster travelled further. 

Aymara Settlement: The story of the Anchanchu as a vampiric demon was confided to the rural Bolivian highlands. Here, a Aymara town around 1904.

In the Uyuni region, he comes with the cold, and if you don’t remember to close the windows and lock your doors, he will just walk right in. 

Uyuni: The Uyuni region is mostly known for the mysterious and beautiful salt flats. It is also thought to be a place where the Anchanchu roams.

For the people of Huancané, it is recommended to not walk at night, specifically after midnight. Anchanchu appears as a red dog around one to three A.M. His appearance is described as being a pudgy, bald, older man.

If you find yourself on a deserted Bolivian road as the sun begins to set, and you happen upon a frail old man limping along the path, remember the warnings of generations past. His weathered smile and pleading eyes may mask ancient hunger, and one act of misplaced kindness could be your last.

Anchanchu or the Abchanchu waits for the charitable, hiding his fangs behind a trembling voice — and the mountains have many lonely places where the missing are never found.

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References:

Abchanchu: Bolivian Vampire. From the desk of The Reddest Raven | by Rayven Red | Feb, 2025 | Medium

Anchanchu. Dios del mal aymara.

Anchanchu – Wikipedia

Aymara people – Wikipedia

The Haunting of the Irish Fetch – the Living Ghost

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The Irish Fetch is a ghost from the underworld, coming as a bad omen to warn the living about an impending death. The ghost is said to take the shape of the person that is going to die. 

Within the rich tapestry of Irish folklore and mythology, the mysterious concept of the “fetch” has captured the imagination of generations. This supernatural phenomenon, deeply rooted in Irish tradition, represents an eerie duality—an apparition or spectral double of a living person that often heralds impending doom and is seen as a deadly omen. The sighting of a fetch is foretelling the imminent passing of its living counterpart.

The Spectral Twin and Bad Omen

A fetch is described as an exact, spectral replica of a living human being. Its appearance is uncannily similar to that of its earthly counterpart, creating an eerie sense of déjà vu for those who encounter it. 

The presence of a fetch is typically seen as a portent of the person it mirrors nearing the end of their life journey. If the person is dying in a fire, the fetch will look burnt. If the person is drowned, it would not be able to breathe. 

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However, there is an intriguing twist to this belief. According to John and Michael Banim, if the apparition appears in the morning rather than the evening, it is interpreted as a sign of a long and extended life awaiting the individual. This dual nature of the fetch sets it apart as a harbinger of both hope and dread, reminiscent of the Germanic doppelgänger and certain interpretations of the British wraith.

Sometimes the fetch will not be like a mirror of yourself, but sometimes they appear like someone that has just died, just casually walking amongst the living and their loved ones. Although they look like they did in life, they are seemingly very distant and will vanish into the air in the edn. 

The Obscure Origins of the Name

The etymology and origins of the term “fetch” remain shrouded in mystery. While it is often suggested that it may be linked to the verb “fetch,” the true source of this enigmatic word remains elusive. 

The puzzle deepens with the existence of an Old English word, “faecce,” found in the Corpus Glossary and the First Cleopatra Glossary. Although “faecce” is presumed to be a Latin word, it defies classification, as no such Latin term exists. This conundrum led some scholars to propose that “faecce” may actually be an Old Irish word, shedding light on the potential link between Old Irish and Hiberno-English fetch traditions. The ambiguity surrounding this term continues to perplex researchers, and a definitive consensus has yet to be reached.

Fetch-Like Portents in Early Irish Literature

While the fetch may be a unique and intriguing concept, echoes of similar portents of death can be traced back to early Irish literature. These ominous predictions were associated with the Old Irish term “fáith,” denoting a seer or prophetess. 

In legendary tales such as Táin Bó Cuailnge, prophetic visions of impending demise were issued by individuals like Fedelm. Cormac Connloinges witnessed sinister visions in Bruiden Da Choca, including a mysterious woman washing bloodstained chariot wheels. A hag foretold the demise of Conaire in Togail Bruidne Da Derga, while in Cath Maige Tuired, the Mórrigán herself prophesied death. 

These early Irish traditions, steeped in mysticism and foreboding, laid the groundwork for the development of the fetch concept.

The Norse Connection: Fylgja and Vikings in Ireland

To gain a deeper understanding of the Irish fetch, it is essential to explore the Norse influence on Irish tradition. Within Norse mythology, the concept of the “fylgja” emerges—a personal alter ego, often taking the form of an animal, intricately linked to an individual’s fate. 

Unlike the Irish fetch, the fylgja is almost invariably portrayed as female. The prominence of the Vikings in Ireland during this era makes the Norse connection highly relevant. Scholar William Sayers has proposed a fascinating theory—that the term “fetch” may have evolved from the Hiberno-English adaptation of the Old Irish “fáith.”

Another thing that makes them different is that the Fetch, although scary and a bringer of bad news, they don’t really hurt anyone. The Icelandic Fylgja, though, is said to have killed people for vengeance as well as just getting a companion.  

The Mirror Ghost

The Irish fetch remains an enigmatic and captivating facet of Irish folklore, entwined with centuries of tradition and belief. Its duality as a harbinger of life and death, its obscure origins, and its connections to early Irish prophecies and Norse influences have imbued it with a sense of intrigue that continues to captivate those who dare to delve into the supernatural realm. 

While the true origins of the term “fetch” may remain elusive, the phenomenon itself stands as a testament to the enduring power of folklore and the human fascination with the inexplicable.

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References:

The Fetch | Emerald Isle Gods and Monsters 

Fetch (folklore) – Wikipedia 

Why Is The Fetch Seen As A Death Omen in Irish Folklore? 

The Cherokee Legend of Spearfinger in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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Disguised as an old woman or a loved one, the liver eating Spearfinger has terrified the Cherokees for centuries. She hides in the mountain, attacking children to eat their livers.  

In the mist-laden embrace of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park between North Carolina and Tennessee lies a haunting tale, a Cherokee legend that weaves through the dense forests and shadowy trails under the misty mountain peaks. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

The legend of Spearfinger, or the U’tlun’ta in the Cherokee language meaning “she had it sharp’, is said to live in this area. According to Cherokee lore, Spearfinger is no ordinary witch; she is a sinister entity with a penchant for deception and a hunger for the flesh of unsuspecting children.

The Legend of Spearfinger

The legend unfolds along the winding paths of the Great Norton Creek Trail, trails along the Chilhowee Mountain and by Little Tennessee River. Among her favorite places she calls home is the thunder mountain, Whiteside.  

Spearfinger is said to disguise herself as a kindly grandmother or a family member of children she sees to sneak up on her victims. Dancing in clouds, she sang her favorite song with her raven friend:

Uwe la na tsiku. Su sa sai.

Liver, I eat it. Su sa sai.

Uwe la na tsiku. Su sa sai.

Armed with a finger that resembles a sharp, knife-like blade that looks like a spear or obsidian knife, she lures innocent children away from the safety of their homes and into the heart of the ancient woods. Once under her spell, Spearfinger reveals her true form, her mouth stained with blood from livers she has eaten and with her Nûñ’yunu’ï, which means “Stone-dress”, for her stone-like skin. With a single, fatal stroke, she cuts her victims and consumes their tender body parts.

Arrows cannot pierce her stone skin and she is strong, picking up boulders without any effort. She is also said to often clutch her right hand tightly, as she is hiding her heart in her palm, her only weak spot. 

Stories About Spearfinger

The Cherokee have traditionally been very cautious about strangers, and were suspicious of those who wandered off alone. They could come back as the liver-eater in disguise, and there were many stories about this. 

Some tales told about her deceiving people by hiding the victims after turning into them. She went to their families and waited until they were asleep so she could steal the children’s livers. 

Hunters in the woods told about an old woman with a strangely shaped hand, singing her song and scaring them so they ran off. Because Spearfinger is quick and doesn’t even leave a scar, making the victims ill before they die after a few days. 

When birds flock to the sky, villagers say it was her. Her presence was marked by the graceful dance of the birds, as if they were paying homage to her mysterious spirit. The villagers whispered about her shadowy figure, weaving tales of her mystical connection to the natural world.

The Spearfinger Place

But where did she come from? What is her purpose? Was she just a story parents told their children to keep out of woods and strangers? According to the storyteller, Kathi Littlejohn of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, she says that there are portals to the other worlds. The upper world of the creator, the middle world of humans and the underworld were creatures like Spearfinger comes from. 

Years ago, sometime in the 19th century, the Cherokee pinpointed the location where the ruins of Spearfinger’s Tree Rock remain, in Blount County, Tennessee. This area, rich with history and legend, is known as Nantahala. The Cherokee name for the place is U’Tluntun’yi, which means “The Spearfinger Place.” U’Tluntun’yi holds a significant place in Cherokee lore as it is believed to be where Spearfinger built a rock bridge that offended the higher spirits who struck it down with a bolt of lightning, giving her a body of rocks. 

The Death of Spearfinger

The Cherokee called a great council, including towns like Tomotley, Tenase, Setico, and Chota, which were haunted by the liver eater, Spearfinger. The medicine man, adawehi, revealed Spearfinger’s deception and proposed a trap: a pit covered with brush and a smoky fire. Spearfinger, drawn by the smoke, approached disguised as an old woman. Though initially mistaken for one of their own, the medicine man recognized her trick. Despite arrows breaking against her stone skin, Spearfinger fell into the pit, unharmed by the stakes. 

Birds descended to help; a titmouse misled them to aim at her chest, but a chickadee correctly indicated her right hand. The hunters severed her heart by hitting her wrist, ending her curse. Stone Man, her ally, dismissed the warning of her death and continued his ominous song. In gratitude, the chickadee was forever known as the “truth teller.” Cherokee storytellers still recount Spearfinger’s legend and mark where her stone form fell.

But even though the Cherokee claim to have killed the liver-eating witch of stone, there are still stories of her cackles and shrieks echoing through the mountains. The legend tells of how she would lure unsuspecting travelers into her lair with promises of shelter, only to devour their livers in a grotesque display of her insatiable hunger. Some say her spirit still haunts the darkest caves and craggy peaks, seeking vengeance for her demise.

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References:

The Cherokee Legend of Spearfinger 

Spearfinger – Wikipedia The terrifying legend of Spearfinger as told by a Cherokee storyteller

The Haunting Tale of the Mermaid’s Curse of Newhall House and Killone Lake

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A curse of a mermaid is cast upon Newhall House after they murdered her after she stole their wine. Now the water of Killone Lake turn crimson red every 40 years to remind them all.

On the edge of the picturesque Killone Lake, within the Newhall Estate near Ennis, County Clare, stands the haunting ruins of Killone Abbey. Founded in the year 1180 AD by Donal Mor O’Brien, the King of Munster, this ancient abbey once housed the Augustinian nuns dedicated to St. John the Baptist. 

However, as the centuries passed, its halls fell silent, and it became abandoned during the tumultuous seventeenth century. In the late 1700s, the Newhall House emerged on the estate’s grounds, incorporating the ruins of the abbey into it.

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There have been many things told about this area, and in the graveyard in County Clare, they talked about corpse lights, or so called will of the wisps, hovering in the cemetery as well as by the ruins of the abbey. 

But the most told legend from Killone lake and the Newhall House is the story about the haunting from the mermaid that put a curse on the lake. 

The Crypt’s Stolen Wine at Newhall House

During this era, the crypt of Killone Abbey had been repurposed to store a prized treasure—fine wine by the O’Brian family that resided in the Newhall House close to the lake. 

The locals had told him a lot about a mermaid that lived in the lake. She was wearing a green cloak, sitting on a rock and combing her long and black hair. O’Brian laughed at this, and didn’t care about the local superstitions and the poor people that lived around him. He only cared about his riches, his sport and his fine wine. 

The Mermaid Thief of Killone Lake

A vigilant servant, tasked with guarding this valuable cache of wine in the basement, made a disconcerting discovery: the wine had begun to vanish mysteriously, bottle by bottle. Determined to solve the perplexing riddle, he stood sentinel within the crypt, clutching a knife in anticipation of the thief’s arrival.

The Crypt of Killone Abbey: Underneath the ruins of the abbey, they used the crypt to store the wine.

As the veil of darkness descended upon Killone Lake, the crypt’s stealthy intruder revealed herself, and the servant’s eyes widened in disbelief. Before him stood none other than the elusive mermaid of Killone Lake. 

Enraged by the audacious theft, the servant launched a frenzied attack upon the mermaid, his knife plunging into her repeatedly. Sometimes it is said that it was O’Brian himself that killed her. With each piercing blow, her life force dwindled, and she struggled to escape his vengeful wrath. Bleeding and weakened, the mermaid dragged herself toward the water’s edge, where her strength ultimately failed her, and she succumbed to her injuries.

The Crimson Waters: The Mark of the Curse

As the mermaid’s life ebbed away, her blood mingled with the tranquil waters of Killone Lake, transforming its serene surface into a ghastly crimson hue. This macabre spectacle unfolded in the obsidian shroud of night, etching the lake’s eerie transformation into the annals of local legend.

Before dying though, she cursed the family:

Killone Lake: In the cemetery there are reported about strange lights, and the lake is haunted by a mermaid. //Wikimedia

Filedhan bhradráin on sruith,
File gan fuil gan feoil,
Gur ba mar sin imtheochas siol mBriain,
Na ndeasacha fiadh as Chilleóin.

As the return of the salmon from the stream,
A return without blood or flesh,
May such be the departure of the O’Briens,
Like ears of wild corn from Killeoin

– The Curse of the Mermaid: A Chilling Legacy

The legacy of the mermaid endures to this day, casting a haunting shadow over Killone Lake. It is foretold that once every forty years or upon the changing of ownership of Newhall Estate, the lake’s waters shall mysteriously turn crimson once more. 

The legend about the mermaid has been told many times and made into songs and stories like with The Ballad of Killone. There are many version of the legend as well. Some say that O’Brian actually took her because he found her pretty and kept her imprisoned as she didn’t want to talk or be with him. To make her talk they threw scalding water on her and she cried out her curse.

Whether this phenomenon is the result of iron shale or the lingering curse of the vengeful mermaid, the ruins of Killone Abbey and the enigmatic lake invite brave souls to unlock their secrets and bear witness to the eerie tale that has haunted the land for centuries.

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References:

Mermaid of Killone 

Killone Abbey, Clare, Ireland | Visions Of The Past 

County Clare: 5 Haunted Places To Visit | Spooky Isles 

The Lost City of Kilstuitheen at The Cliffs of Moher

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In the watery depths off the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, it is said that the phantom island and The Lost City of Kilstuitheen appears every seven years. There are still legends that it will return for those that holds the key.

Between the picturesque towns of Lahinch and Spanish Point lies the Liscannor Bay. Its tranquil surface hints at the mysteries concealed beneath its waters, and one of its most intriguing enigmas is the phantom island and The Lost City of Kilstuitheen. 

The coastline of County Clare has been shaped by nature’s fury over millennia. Ancient earthquakes and tidal waves have left their mark on this rugged terrain. In the bay’s vicinity, once-verdant forests and bogs have become submerged, and the dramatic events of centuries past split Mutton Island into three separate isles during the tsunami of approximately 800 AD.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories from Ireland

This could explain the legends of the lost city of Kilstuitheen. It is also called Kilstapheen, Kilstiffen or Cill Stuifin and is supposedly an ancient city that is now lost outside the coast. It is said that the city sank down into the ocean when the chieftain lost its golden key in a battle. According to the legend, the city will not return until the key is found. 

The Cliffs of Moher: The cliffs are well known for its legends. In addition for the legends about the lost city, there are also legends about mermaids, witches, a corpse eating eel as well were the pagan deities took refuge when Christianity came to Ireland.

The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s Forgotten Splendor

Long ago according to legend, the city of Kilstuitheen was a place of unparalleled magnificence and riches. Its skyline was adorned with golden turrets that graced castles and glistening spires that adorned churches. These structures were a testament to the prosperity of its inhabitants, particularly the Chieftain and his esteemed clan.

However, even the most prosperous of places can succumb to the capricious whims of fate. Kilstuitheen’s fortunes took a dire turn when defeat befell the Chieftain in a fierce battle. What followed was a calamity of epic proportions—an immense tidal wave surged forth, engulfing the island and all its inhabitants. The once-mighty Kilstuitheen lay buried beneath the turbulent waters, its glory swallowed by the relentless sea.

Read More: Check out all of the ghost stories on Haunted Islands

There is a legend telling how to find the island though. It used to be a key which opened the door  that the chieftain had lost during the fateful battle. It was later believed to be entombed beneath a towering monolith on Mount Callan.

When the long-lost golden key is unearthed and returned to its rightful place, it is said that Kilstuitheen shall rise once more from the depths of the sea. The valiant Chieftain, now relegated to the annals of history, will reawaken to lead his people anew, and the island’s golden splendor will once again grace the surface.

Glimpses of a Submerged City

Over the centuries, fishermen have claimed to catch fleeting glimpses of The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s submerged city beneath the restless waves of Liscannor Bay. Every seven years, the phantom island performs a tantalizing upsurge, just enough to be visible from the shores of Lahinch. 

This is also the case with the mythical phantom island of Brasil said to be off the coast of Ireland as well. 

However, this remarkable sighting comes with a dire warning: those who behold the lost island from the shore shall not live to witness its reemergence and will die before The Lost City of Kilstuitheen appears again.

The Mysteries Beneath the Waves

As we ponder the legends of Kilstuitheen and its submerged treasures, we are reminded that the sea has long been a capricious mistress, capable of concealing the most remarkable of secrets. In the heart of Liscannor Bay, The Lost City of Kilstuitheen’s lost splendor lies beneath the waves, its golden turrets and spires hidden, awaiting the return of the golden key that may one day resurrect its glory. The enigma of Kilstuitheen endures as a testament to the enduring mysteries of Ireland’s coastal landscapes, where legends and history are eternally intertwined.

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A Legend of the Cliffs of Moher – The Lost City of Kilstiffen > What Boundaries? Live Your Dream! County Clare: 5 Haunted Places To Visit | Spooky Isles

The Darkness Haunting Bor Forest in Czech Republic

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For many years now, Bor Forest in the Czech Republic is said to house many haunting stories. Everything from strange ghostly legends from Slavic folklore to strange things that went down during the communist regime after the second world war. 

Bor Forest, also known as Branišovský les, stands as a silent witness to a myriad of chilling legends and mysterious occurrences in the heart of South Bohemia, near České Budějovice. Bor means pine and the forest is spanning approximately 300 hectares, this mixed forest has gained notoriety for its tragic events, whispers of supernatural entities, and inexplicable phenomena.

It has undergone significant transformations throughout time, serving various purposes such as an excursion forest park, shooting range, and military area close to the Polish border. The landscape features diverse tree species, with the northeastern part covered in spruce mixed with oak, while the southwestern region is dominated by pine trees.

Bor Forest’s reputation for paranormal activity rests on numerous legends and reported encounters. The forest is believed to be haunted by a variety of entities, each contributing to the eerie aura that envelops the area.

The Military Tragedy in Bor Forest

Once upon a time, often set to the 1960 to 80s, there was a military base stationed in Bor Forest to guard the local storage for their ammunition. It is said that four soldiers were patrolling close to the former guard post and one of the pair was taking over the nightshift when something happened. According to the stories, one of the soldiers started to change, like another being, something monstrous. Another version tells that the soldiers got scared from “The Horror of the Forest”. 

This caused chaos among the soldiers that started shooting and three of them ended up dead and the last one died from the wounds later at Budweiser Military Hospital where he managed to tell a little bit about what happened, but not enough to end the mystery. 

What really happened then is hard to tell. Some say it was more of an internal thing and that stress caused some of the soldiers to take their own life. Some say that it really did happen, but it was in a completely different place and was an argument and jealousy that caused the shooting. 

There were no writings about this in the newspapers or other media. Seeing that the Czech Republic was under the Soviet Union and heavily censored could also be an explanation as to why there is not more written about this except from the local gossip. Even to this day, a lot of these documents are still classified.

But what could it have been, this horror from Bor Forest that the story talks about. As it turns out, there could be more than one supernatural and dark thing that the soldiers came face to face with. 

The Haunted Swamps and the Vodník

Czech Vodník

References to Bor Forest go back at least 400 years. One of the stories circulating around the Bor forest is about the swamps and waters in the forest. They used to be much bigger than today, and many travelers ended their life in these waters throughout time. It is said that the souls of these people were trapped close to the waters and they stayed to haunt them, trying to lure bypasses to join them in death. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from Haunted Forests around the world

Some of the early swamps or waters were also said to have a Vodník living there, a sort of sea spirit, or water man from Slavic folklore living in water, much like the German nixon or the Scottish kelpie. 

Vodník was said to look much like a man with green hair, but his bride was often a mermaid or a girl he drowned. He was also known for luring children and women to the water by hanging colorful ribbons or mirrors around or shapeshifting to a child and then drowning the one trying to rescue him.

The Black Man

The Black Coloum were the Black Man is said to often be spotted in Bor Forest.

A sound often reported on in Bor Forest is the sound of footsteps in the dry leaves or heavy snow. The sound of the steps have chased many people through the forest and many believe that it is most likely the step coming from the Black Man. 

Described as a tall figure with a broad black hat and a flowing black cape, the Black Man is also called the Black Knight and even The Lord of the Forest. He has been witnessed floating above the ground, moving with unnatural speed. Some claim to have heard soft music preceding the appearance of this enigmatic figure, accompanied by a sudden drop in temperature.

The first written reports about the entity was in 1993, and the nest in 1994 and he is mostly sighted around The Black Pillar, a memorial for something people don’t remember. Today it is an integral part of the lore of the Forest.

Another story coming from the 90s is also the rumor for people seeing mysterious red eyes hovering about two meters above the ground after nightfall have been reported by witnesses. The first written account was in 1998. Contrary to explanations attributing them to car taillights, some claim these eyes approached them or even pursued them through the forest.

The White Lady

As with most haunted places in Europe, it wouldn’t be complete without its own Woman in White, and the haunted Bor forest is no exception. 

The apparition of a woman in white is tied to a tragic tale of a murdered resident haunting a nearby building, unable to find peace even in death.

It is also said that a young girl is haunting the woods after taking her life in an abandoned farmhouse between České Budějovice and Branišov. Although there is not really any proof that such a thing ever happened in the farmhouse.

The Hanged Man’s Tree

Another story told about Bor Forest is the strange tree said to have taken the lives of many. In 1927 a young couple checked into the new and luxurious Hotel Praha in Branišov. The building is today used as an office for the city council. 

The couple went on their way on a hike into the forest, but never returned. When a search party was sent out, they found them hanging in a tree in the midst of the forest. Not much was said about the tree itself until another woman was found hanging in the same tree not too long after. 

Mr. Kříž was a local man and decided to take matters into his own hands and went into the forest and cut the deadly branch from the tree and brought it home to burn it. Not too far after this, he ended in an accident and his hand he used to cut the branch off with ended up paralyzed. This alarmed the rest of the townspeople that went to the tree, cut it all up and burned it to the ground. 

Although the descendant of Mr. Kříž claims there was no paranormal story connected to the tree, or that there were no accidents after he cut off the branch, the story about it lives on. The tree is gone, it is said that people have heard a voice coming from the place where the tree once stood. The voice is beckoning them to it, encouraging whoever is passing to take their own life. 

Time Warps and Unexplained Events:

One of the most perplexing phenomena reported in Bor Forest involves time warps. In the 1960s, one of the residents of U Pěti zlodějů (also named Jednoty, on older maps) was cycling home from České Budějovice, around 6:00 p.m. As he rode through the dusty, unpaved Bor Forest, he experienced an unusual phenomenon. 

The entire forest seemed to undulate before him and he got off his bike. He noticed that the road and gravel beneath his feet were in motion. Exiting the forest and passing through Branišov, he was surprised to find no lights in any of the windows, even though it was barely 7:00 p.m. Upon reaching home, he discovered it was 3:00 a.m. The one-hour journey had inexplicably taken nine hours.

The Strange City

Another story about time is when two women walked through Bor, and one of them suddenly ran into the bushes. When she didn’t return for a prolonged period, the other went to look for her. To her surprise, there was no trace of the friend. Just as she wondered where she might have gone, the missing woman reappeared seemingly out of nowhere. 

She recounted a strange experience of a green mist enveloping her, parting to reveal an unknown landscape filled with vibrant, intense colors and a distant golden city. A man in black approached her, placed a hand on her forehead, and pushed her back into Bor Forest. While she spent a few minutes in an unfamiliar place, her friend waited in the forest for three-quarters of an hour. 

The UFO-Crash

It is certainly a strange place with a lot of old legends. But the strange and mysterious stories from newer times are just as haunting, especially as a lot of information from its time as a closed off communist country hides a lot of the information. 

One time, there was an unknown object that crashed in the area and it was closed off for a year by a special unit. Even the local military was denied access to it. When the area finally opened again, many of the trees looked damaged, like something had crashed close to them. What could it be? The firemen claim that the trees caught fire around the year 2000. A witness said that it could have been more likely an airplane or helicopter that crashed in the area, although of course the local gossip is that a UFO landed there, and that the information surrounding this is still top secret. 

Branišovský les and its Haunting Allure

Bor Forest, with its haunting mysteries and supernatural tales, invites those brave enough to explore its depths. As legends intertwine with the natural beauty of the landscape, Bor Forest remains an enigmatic realm where reality and the paranormal blur into a tapestry of chilling narratives. Venture forth, if you dare, and immerse yourself in the unsettling allure of Bor Forest’s haunted legacy.

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References:

Vodník – Wikipedie 

Branišovský les – Wikipedie

paranormaltym.cz – Paranormal Investigation – Case No.12 | Forest Bor (2015)  

Mysteriózní les si zřejmě poslední oběť ještě nevybral, buďte při návštěvě raději opatrní

Nejstrašidelnějším lesem je Branišovský. Zlo tam prý střeží strážce v plášti a klobouku | Radio Prague International

Branišovský les děsí svými záhadami místní i turisty. S čím se tady už lidé naučili žít? | ČtiDoma.cz  

Strašidelný Branišovský les: Proč se mu lidé vyhýbají obloukem? – Lifee.cz 

The Haunted Fairytale of Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

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Thought to be the gate to the fairy world, The Fairy Tree on top of Doon Hill is said to be haunted by the man that tried to reveal the fairy folk’s secrets. Was he just silenced, or was he taken to the other realm?

Atop the woodlands on Doon Hill in Aberfoyle, Scotland, a solitary Scots pine stands proudly amidst the oaks—a tree with an enchanting reputation as the Fairy Tree. This mystical landmark in East Lothian, believed to mark the entrance to a Fairy Queen’s underground palace, carries with it a ghostly history that traces back to the intriguing Reverend Robert Kirk. 

The Fairy Tree, or Fairy Knowe, perched on the summit of Doon Hill, has long been regarded as a portal to an ethereal realm—a gateway guarded by the mystical beings of the forest of ancient oaks in what has been known as The Fairy Capital ever since a Reverend got curious about the place and tried to reveal its secrets.

Reverend Robert Kirk’s Curiosity

Secret Commonwealth Manuscript Title Page

Reverend Robert Kirk lived in Aberfoyle in the 17th century and would preach about God as well as about fairies when he became minister in 1685 and was dubbed as The Fairy Minister. He was also the seventh son, something also connected with people having supernatural connections or abilities. He was a well educated man and was the first to publish the bible into Gaelic as well as he studied the life and home of the fairies he believed lived on Doon Hill. 

In 1691, Reverend Robert Kirk delved into the supernatural with the publication of “The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns, and Fairies.” This pioneering work sought to unveil the secrets of a magical underworld inhabited by mystical creatures. It has later been seen as one of the most important works about fairy lore and magic.

The work was unlike many publications of the time, not meant to link the magic and folklore to the devil, but more as a genuine interest into the lore and culture of the Scottish community that the Reverend himself had grown up with. 

Although it was meant to educate people about the hidden folks, the fairies are said to have taken offense to a human revealing their secrets. Legend has it that the fairies, often called the Good People or daoine sìth in Scottish Gaelic, displeased with the revelations, took swift action.

The Ghostly Guardian of Doon Hill

The Minister’s Pine:Source

Reverend Kirk met a tragic end on Doon Hill before he was able to publish his findings. Some say he fell and died, while others believe he was spirited away by the very creatures he sought to expose. 

He had a habit of walking in his nightgown to the hill to breathe in the fresh air on summer evenings. But on the evening of May 14th in 1962, he was found dead on the hill.

Did they just want to get rid of the man that was about to expose the fairy world, or did he get to serve the Fairy Queen as a Chaplain and the body the villagers found was only a changeling? Some even question that he is buried in the churchyard at all.

Regardless of the circumstances, the reverend’s spirit is said to linger, forever bound to the Fairy Tree. On certain days, visitors claim to catch glimpses of his ghost, wandering the hillside and standing guard over the entrance to the Fairy Queen’s palace.

Making a Wish on Doon Hill and Fairy Knowe

Reverend Robert Kirk’s pursuit of the supernatural left an indelible mark on the landscape, giving rise to tales of a ghostly guardian and an otherworldly portal. 

Even today people walk up to the tree and some tie a ribbon to the tree as a gift to the fairies as they make a little wish. This is a pagan ritual known as clootie wells and is a cleansing ritual. Because who knows, perhaps the Reverend was right, and this ancient oak tree truly is a gateway to the otherworld of the fairies?

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Spooky spots to visit – Forestry and Land Scotland 

Doon Hill Fairy Tree – Loch Lomond | Trossachs 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Kirk_(folklorist)

The Icelandic Ghost Story of The White Cap

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The story about the girl and her meeting with a ghost in the graveyard and the white cap she took from it has been retold for centuries in Iceland. 

The story about the White Cap is an Icelandic ghost story from the old times, although how old is uncertain, as it is now turned into a folktale that has gone through many retellings. It tells the story about a nameless boy and girl that took something from a ghost and had to pay dearly for it. 

The Ghost story was retold from its oral story in Icelandic Legends by Jón Arnason who traveled the country and collected the folktales and ghost stories in the 1800s inspired by the work the Grimm brothers did in Germany in the same area. 

The Ghost and its White Cap

The little boy and girl lived close to a church in a small village in Iceland. The boy was a mischievous boy and had a habit of trying to scare the girl when he had the opportunity. But the more he tried to get a scare out of the girl, the more used she got to it, and in the end, nothing faced her anymore. And everything she saw she thought was strange, she was sure it had to be one of the boy’s tricks. 

One day while they were washing clothes, the girl was sent to the churchyard by her mother. The linen they had just washed was hung up there to dry. The girl went unafraid into the graveyard and started to fill her basket with the fresh linen when she looked up and saw someone sitting on a tomb close to her. The figure was dressed in all white and she thought instinctively it had to be the boy that was up to one of his tricks, so she wasn’t afraid and figured she would call his bluff. 

The girl ran up to the figure on the tomb and pulled off its cap as she said out loud that he would not be able to frighten her this time. 

She then went home with the linen, but when she came back, the boy was the first one that greeted her when she reached her cottage. No way he could have reached home before she did and she started to fear the truth. 

This was not the only strange thing though, as when they sorted through the linen, they found the cap that she had pulled off from the figure on the tomb. The White Cap, although white was full of mold and earth. They all then understood that it had been a ghost she had encountered, and now, the whole village was paralyzed with fear. 

The Icelandic Ghost on the Tomb

The next day, the ghost was again sitting on the same tombstone like it had done the previous day, although now it was missing its White Cap. Nobody dared to approach it and had no idea as to how to rid themselves from it. Ghosts in icelandic ghost stories were often shown to act as flesh and bone that could interact with living humans, and sometimes, they were very dangerous. So they sent for help from a village close to them. 

In that village there was an old man that claimed that they had to replace the white cap that the girl had taken from the girl to avoid any bad repercussions. It had to be done with everyone watching in complete silence, and it had to be the little girl that gave the cap back. 

Icelandic Legends: The ghost story of the “White Cap” comes from Iceland and was retold by Jón Arnason in Icelandic Legends as he was travelling around collecting oral tales around the country.

So the whole village gathered in the churchyard, watching as the little girl approached the ghost sitting on the tombstone, not really moving, not really showing any sign of what the ghost really wanted. She placed the White Cap on its head and asked if it was satisfied now.

The ghost looked up and answered: “Yes, but are you now satisfied?” as it raised its hand and hit her and the little girl fell over and died. The ghost then sank into the grave he was sitting on and was not seen again. 

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Icelandic legends. Collected by Jón Arnason. Tr. … ser.2. 

The Deacon of Dark River – An Icelandic Ghost Story

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Djákninn á Myrká meaning the Deacon of Dark River is an Icelandic folk tale that have been passed down for generations now. It tells the story of the ghost of a man trying to make his girlfriend join him in death. 

Once upon a time in Horgardalur not far from Akureyri in Iceland a deacon lived on a farm called Myrká. He was riding his trusted horse called Faxi to meet up with the woman he loved named Guðrún. It was the day before Christmas, a stormy and cold winter night. 

It was a long ride to her farm called Bægisá. On the way to her he had to cross the river Hörgá, but he fell into it. He ended up drowning and only his horse survived the night. He was found the next morning by a farmer and laid to rest, but Guðrún didn’t get the message and she waited for her loved one to come and pick her up.

So when she got a visitor in the darkness she believed it was him and went with him. He was behaving strangely though and kept calling her Garún. In Icelandic folklore, ghosts are unable to utter the word for God, which Guðrún is compiled of. 

It wasn’t before the raging wind blows off the large hat on the visitor she realizes it isn’t her boyfriend alive, but a skeleton. She also saw an open grave in the graveyard the skeleton tried to pull her towards.

The ghost skeleton of her boyfriend keeps pestering her and he wants her to join him in death so they can be together. Guðrún finally breaks free from the ghost and gets the help of a sorcerer. The sorcerer traps the ghost on unholy ground outside the graveyard belonging to the church at Myrka. 

He places a large and cursed stone on it that still holds the ghost of the priest’s apprentice. You can still see it today on the unholy ground, still waiting for his girlfriend to be together forever. 

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References

Most haunted place in Iceland

Djákninn á Myrká – Wikipedia