The Bleaters of Arran

The stories are from Mackenzie (1914) and Scott's The East of Arran, quoted in a folklorist's survey, which says the bleater may be unique to Arran. It is also called the meileachan and is said in one source to be the young one of the glaistig. Scott's version of the captured creature says it was 'cold and slimy' with hair like an animal's, with human hands with webbing between the fingers. The gift-of-clothes motif, in which a household spirit leaves when given clothes, is found in brownie stories across Britain. Bennan is a settlement on the south coast, and Clachaig a glen near Lamlash, so the coordinates are only for Bennan.