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The Kelpie is the supernatural shape-shifting Celtic mythological water horse that haunts the rivers and streams of Scotland. It is probably one of the best known of Scottish water spirits and is often mistakenly thought to haunt lochs, which are the reserve of the Each Uisge.
Appearance -
In different stories, the kelpie is described as black, grey or green with seal-like skin. They cannot completely escape the water so are often said to have seaweed or other water plants in their hair. Using their magical powers over water, kelpies can cause streams and lochs to flood and overwhelm passers-by. This depiction shows the Kelpie in its more fearsome mode.
One Tale Among Many-
The kelpie is said to lure humans into the water to kill and eat them. It does this by encouraging children to ride on its back, and then its back becomes sticky so that the children can’t fall off. The kelpie then drags them into water.
Famous kelpie tale is the story of the nine children lured onto the kelpie’s back and the tenth who refused to join them. The kelpie chased him but he managed to escape.
