Kelpie, The

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Kelpie, The

A water spirit of Scotland believed to haunt streams and torrents. Kelpies appear to have been mischievous and were often accused of stopping the waterwheels of mills and of swelling streams. The Kelpie's name was occasionally used to frighten unruly children, and it was believed that he devoured women. The Kelpie, taking the form of a horse, was also said to tempt travelers to mount him, then plunge them into deep water and drown them. An Irish version of the Kelpie is the Eac Visge.

(See also Phouka )