Folklore, Urban Legends, Myths, etc.

Each uisge - Scottish

In Scottish Mythology, an each uisgeis a water spirit. The name is Scottish Gaelic, meaning "water horse".

The each uisge is a dangerous creature in Scottish myths. These water horses are said to inhabit lochs and seas around the Scottish highlands. The each uisge are shape-shifters, and can take the form of a normal horse, or of a man.

In the form of a horse, the each uisgewill encourage humans to ride it. It can be ridden as a normal horse as long as it is kept away from water, but as soon as the creature can sense water, it will bind itself to its rider and swim to the deepest part of the loch or sea. Once the rider dies, the each uisge will tear him or her apart and devour the entire individual, aside from the liver which is allowed to float to the surface as the last remnant of the water horse's victim.

In the form of a man, the each uisge appears to be handsome and can only be recognized as a supernatural being by the seaweed hidden in its hair.

The each uisge is not unlike the kelpie, another form of water horse that inhabits some lochs, rivers and streams.

In Irish mythology, the each uisge is known as the aughisky.

Shapeshifting to a horse

The each-uisge has the ability to shift its shape. It can appear as a magnificent horse, a giant bird, or as a man. Anyone who rides it when it has changed into a horse can only be safe while riding in the interior of the land. If the each-uisge smells, or gets the smallest glimpse of water, the rider becomes stuck to its back. The creature then makes for a loch or deep water taking the stuck rider to the deepest part where he is drowned. The each-uisge tears its victim apart and eats the body only leaving the liver which is said to float to the surface.

Shapeshifting into a human

When the each-uisge shifts its shape to human form it becomes a very good looking and attractive man. The only way that it can be recognized as being inhuman is by the water weeds in its hair. For this reason Highlanders were always careful and on their guard when a lone horse or stranger was seen by the edge of water, especially by a known lair of the creature. The each-uisge also preys on cattle and sheep as well as humans. The smell of roasting meat can entice it from the water.

The Blacksmith's Revenge

A story from More West Highland Tales, by McKay tells of how a blacksmith's daughter from Raasay fell victim to the each-uisge. Determined to take revenge the blacksmith and his son set to work in their forge manufacturing a set of huge iron hooks. Taking these down to the loch side where the beast lived they roast a sheep, while heating the hooks in the fire until they were red hot. As evening fell the smell of roast mutton drifted across the loch and thick, grey, mist arose. From out of the mist the each-uisge appeared from the depths and attempted to steal the roasting meat. The blacksmith and his son attacked the creature sticking the red hot hooks into its flesh. After a struggle they managed to kill it. When dawn broke all that was left of the each-uisge was a thick sludge on the ground.

A guardian

Some people think the each-usige is a water spirit that guards the watery path to the afterlife where our ancestors live on. Its task is to test the person's worth. If it does not kill you then you are a judged worthy and carried to the underworld to join our forefathers