The peat-fire flame : folk-tales and traditions of the Highlands & Islands

THE PEAT-FIRE FLAME
that had a Brownie who demonstrated his disapproval for
stransers in Hke manner.
The Mag Mulloch of Tullochgorm.
That Brownies were as common in the East Highlands
as in the West Highlands is shown by the many stories and
traditions concerning them to be heard in Moray, and indeed
throughout the valley of the Spey. The old house of
Tullochgorm, in Spey-side, for example, had its family
Brownie. So, too, had the Doune of Rothiemurchus.
The Brownie at Tullochgorm vanished completely when
the house came to destruction many generations ago. Unlike
most household guardians of his species, this Brownie had
exceptionally long hair. In this respect he resembled the
griiagach. He was referred to locally as the Mag Mulloch.
This Brownie was the housekeeper-in-chief of Tullochgorm,
so to speak; and he continued to exercise his family
guardianship throughout the reign of several generations of
owners. The principal duties he took upon himself were his
attendance at the laird's table, and the supervision of everything
connected with the dairy.
But the Mag Mulloch had a duty less pleasant than these,
and that was to escort home the laird of Tullochgorm when,
in the small hours, he was heavy in drink. The Brownie,
now in the form of a small boy carrying a lantern, could be
seen leading his tipsy master home to Tullochgorm over the
dark moors, after a night's carousal at the house of some
neighbour. The safe conduct of the laird in such circum-
stances was the Mag Mulloch's chief duty.
According to the author of Primitive Beliefs in tJic North-
East of Scotland, the last Brownie in Glenlivet was a female
member of the species who, until about the middle of the
nineteenth century, resided at the farmhouse of Achnarrow.
By reason of the abundance of her hair, she was known as
Hairy Meg.
This Brownie had the power of transmitting through the
air articles and utensils that were required either during the
cooking of a meal, or in the consumption of it. When one
day her mistress was entertaining guests, it was observed
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