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Each-uisge - Water Horse
The deadliest water spirit of Scotland. It appears as a beautiful horse. Mount it, and its skin becomes adhesive. It drags you into the loch and devours you—only your liver floats to shore.
Ancient - Present
Scotland
200+ witnesses
The Each-uisge (water horse) is the most dangerous water spirit in Scottish folklore, far more deadly than the kelpie.
The Legend
According to documented folklore:
The Each-uisge:
- Lives in lochs and the sea
- Appears as a beautiful horse
- Its skin becomes adhesive
- It drags victims underwater
- Devours them, leaving only the liver
Description
The creature appears as:
- A magnificent horse
- Sometimes a handsome man
- Near bodies of water
- Irresistibly beautiful
- Its mane may contain seaweed
The Trap
When mounted:
- The skin becomes sticky
- The rider cannot dismount
- It plunges into the water
- The victim drowns
- It eats everything except the liver
Distinction from Kelpie
Unlike the kelpie:
- Each-uisge lives in lochs, not rivers
- It is more dangerous
- It always kills
- The kelpie can sometimes be helpful
- Each-uisge never is
Protection
To survive:
- Never mount strange horses near water
- If stuck, cut off your own hand
- Avoid lochs at dusk
- Don’t be fooled by beauty