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

THE GLAISTIG
The Glaistig at Island House.
Island House, the principal residence on the Isle of Tiree,
and so called because of its situation on an emerald islet in
a freshwater loch, had a Glaistig in the person of a very
little woman with yellow tresses. The islanders spoke of
her as the sea-gruagach ; but what connection she had with
the sea they could not explain. This Glaistig, like other
members of her tribe, was seen but seldom. She lived
high up in the attics of Island House ; and it was customary
to lock the door of any apartment in which she could be
heard working. When unexpected visitors were about to
arrive, this Glaistig worked with unusual diligence, airing
the mattresses and bed linen, and generally tidying up those
apartments into which visitors were put. She superin-
tended the servants ; and on more than one occasion she gave
' them a doing ' when they skimped their work.
" A Lump of a Lassie."
The adjoining Island of Coll likewise had its Glaistig.
She lived at Breachacha Castle, the stronghold of the
MacLeans of Coll in olden times. Her hair was white, and
not yellow. It grew in tufts like flax ; and it reached down
to her ankles. By those who had seen her, she was
described as " a lump of a lassie." The MacLeans always
knew when to expect guests to arrive at Breachacha since
at night the Glaistig disturbed them by her noise in the
kitchen.
Now, this Glaistig had one incurable habit—that of so
misleading guests, who were obliged to rise in the nighttime
for one reason or another, that they could not find
their way back to bed again. Even to this day folk-tales
are told in Coll of the way in which innocent guests at
Breachacha Castle were harassed by the Glaistig.
The Ell-maid of Dunstaffnage.
Castle of Dunstafifnage, the ancient residence of the
Scottish Kings, where once reposed the Coronation Stone,
or Stone of Destiny, had a Glaistig who was spoken of as
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