Not to be confused with a Kelpie, the Boobrie is a Scottish fae that possesses the wondrous ability to shapeshift into a water horse. Since the Boobrie salivates at the thought of cows and fat lambs—its favorite snacks, along with succulent otters, ships transporting barnyard animals along the coast of Scotland risk being accosted. Boobries can even gallop on top of the waves to reach their destinations and are often mistaken by sailors for ghost horses.
In addition to a water horse, the Boobrie can take the appearance of a black feathered waterbird, something akin to a fierce cormorant. This is perhaps the Boobrie’s default form. Its strange claws appear like the wizened hands of a demon, and its caw roars like the bellow of a bull. Some legends insist the bull is one of the Boobrie’s possible forms and that it can stray from the coast to nestle among thickets of purple heather. Whether or not this fae can hug the land, it’s a rare loch in Scotland without the menacing presence of a resident Boobrie. As a bird it loves flying low over the turbulent seacoast, its huge ebony wings casting sinister shadows on the moon spattered waters below.
The water horse form of the Boobrie is what interests me. I am passionately drawn to water horses. The third book of my Wytchfae series, Mind Your Goddess, features a water horse—mysterious but not menacing and of invaluable help to the heroine, the Goddess Epona.
More: A Witch’s Guide to Faery Folk by Edain McCoy
Cheers & Happy Reading!
Flossie Benton Rogers, Conjuring the Magic with Paranormal Fantasy Romance
I’ve not heard of the Boobrie. Interesting. I see another potential plot for you.
So many plots and so little time, right, Loretta??!
Amen to that!
Quite a frightening fae, as it appears. I don’t know why but I’ve always associated “fae” with something fragile, pretty, a good fairy. Anyway, I’m sure your story will be in my line of interest.
Yes, it’s hard to think of a fae that can become such a beautiful horse being so dangerous. Thanks for stopping by, Carmen.
What an intriguing post! I’m familiar with the Kelpie, but had never heard of the Boobrie. I love the photo you chose for such an eerie fae. Creatures from folklore like this fascinate me!
There are so many eerie fairies I didn’t know about either, Mae, and I’m having lots of fun finding out. Thanks for stopping by!