Baobhan Sith: Vampires of Scotland

Feb 1

Along the Cairngorms mountain range in the Scottish Highlands, there is a legend of fairy-like vampires called the Baobhan Siths. Sometimes referred to as the White Woman of the Highlands, the Baobhan Siths can shapeshift from wolves into beautiful voluptuous women in order to seduce lonely men traveling through the forest or highlands.

Once they find their targets they feed on their blood using their fingernails to dig into their necks and drain their blood. Unlike other vampire legends, men who have their blood drained do not convert into vampires but, any women victims become baobhan siths and join the pack to hunt.

Legend says baobhan siths are afraid of horses and run from iron which fits with supernatural myths of fairies and other evils being repelled by iron. Although this will only repel, keeping you safe for some time, in order to fully stop a baobhan sith you must find their grave and place a cairn or a pile of stones over it.

Related: 5 Vampire Myths from Around the World

The Hunters

The most common legend of the baobhan siths dates back to the 18th century and involves a group of four hunters in the highlands who seek shelter for the night by setting up a makeshift camp.

As the night and cold fell upon the men, they attempt to keep their spirits up by singing around the fire. One of the hunters remarks aloud his wish of having women to dance with and the rest wholeheartedly agree.

Four beautiful women wearing long green dresses then emerge from the forest. They tell the men they heard the music and of their wish to dance. The men pick their partners and dance around the fire.

After some time one of the men notices blood dripping from one of his friend’s necks. He turns to see the other woman have dug their nails into the other’s necks and are draining their blood. Before his partner could grab him he runs off towards his horse, losing the vampire in the chase.

The following morning he returns to the campsite finding all of his friends dead, empty of blood.

The legend serves as a warning to be wary of traveling the Scottish Highlands at night, as you never know what creatures may be waiting for you and your friends.