Gruagach of Island House

A gruagach who haunted "Island House" (Tigh an Eilein, so called from first being surrounded by water), the principal residence in Tiree, from time immemorial. She was never called glaistig, but gruagach and gruagach mara (sea maid) by the islanders. According to tradition she was a diminutive woman with long yellow hair, but she was rarely seen. She stayed in the attics, and the doors of the rooms in which she was heard working were locked at the time. She would put the house in order when strangers were to come, however unexpected otherwise their arrival might be. Servants who neglected their work received from her a beating.

References

Source

  • Campbell, J.G. (1900). Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Glascow: James MacLehose and Sons, p. 165.