Trow

What it is

The trow is a supernatural being found in the stories of the Northern Isles of Scotland. Descriptions vary widely. Some tales paint them as monstrous giants with multiple heads. Others describe them as small fairies wearing grey clothes. They are generally seen as mischievous or harmful. A specific type called the sea-trow lives in the ocean. It is often described as a hairy, seaweed-covered creature. Another variant is the Kunal-trow, a king-like figure without females who seeks human wives.

Where it comes from

The name comes from the Norn language, an Old Norse dialect spoken in the islands before Scots replaced it. The word drow links to the Old Norse draugr, meaning a revenant or ghost. The word trow likely evolved from the word for troll. Some scholars suggest the legends reflect conflicts between Norse settlers and the indigenous Picts. Stories say the Picts hid in underground mounds and emerged at night to steal from their conquerors.

How it is done

Trows dwell in earthen mounds known as trowie knowes. They remain hidden during the day and emerge only after sunset. If they fail to return before sunrise, they must wait until nightfall again. They are famous for their musical talent. Humans sometimes hear their fiddle playing from the hills. In some accounts, trows lure musicians into their mounds. The musician may return quickly but find that many years have passed outside.

Tools and materials

The primary tool associated with trows is the fiddle. Their homes are earth mounds or knolls. Sea-trows use seaweed, known as tang, to cloak their bodies. They also consume earth shaped like fish, birds, or even babies to satisfy their hunger.

What it is for

Trows are not worshipped. They are feared entities that cause trouble. Sea-trows are blamed for bad luck, storms, and stealing fish from lines. Hill trows are known for kidnapping people. Hearing a trow speak is considered lucky, but seeing one brings bad fortune. People avoid mounds after dark to prevent encounters.

Who does it

These beings belong to the local population of the islands. No specific priests or shamans interact with them. Ordinary people tell the stories to explain strange occurrences. Children are warned not to approach certain hills or glens. The lore serves as a cautionary tale about venturing out at night.

Peoples and places

The tradition is specific to the Orkney and Shetland islands. The term hogboon is used in Orcadian dialects for mound dwellers. Hjogfinni is the Shetlandic equivalent. Similar creatures exist in other Nordic regions, such as the Norwegian haugbonde. The legends show strong ties to Scandinavian heritage while adapting to local island life.

What people believe

The worldview places these spirits in a parallel world beneath the ground. They are connected to the dead and the old Norse gods. The sea-trow resembles the incubus, a demon that visits women. Belief in these beings was once widespread. Today, they remain part of the cultural identity and storytelling heritage of the islands.

When it is done

Activity is strictly nocturnal. Trows come out after sunset and hide before dawn. There are no specific festivals dedicated to them. However, certain tunes are named after them, preserving their memory through music. The legend of the petrified dancers on Fetlar explains stone circles as trows caught by the morning light.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Linguists trace the terms to Old Norse roots. Folklorists note parallels with Irish leprechauns and Scottish brownies. The theme of learning magic music from fairies is common across Celtic and Scandinavian cultures. Researchers view the legends as a blend of Norse mythology and local history regarding the Picts.

Compare and confuse

Trows are similar to trolls and fairies. The sea-trow resembles the neckar or incubus. Hogboons are related to brownies and nisses. All are mound-dwelling spirits. The distinction lies in the specific northern Scottish setting and the emphasis on musical abduction.

Questions people ask about Trow

Good reading and sources

• Trow (folklore) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data