Hauntings

The Browny Carrying the Old Woman from the Fireside

Sir Norman Macleod's hall, Berneray (Bernera), Sound of Harris

Reported c. 1695

Sir Norman sent for the seer and asked how he knew. He said he had seen the spirit called Browny, in human shape, come several times and pretend to carry an old woman who sat by the fire to the door. At last it seemed to carry her out by the neck and heels, which made him laugh heartily. The others took him to be mad for laughing so, and the arrival of the master settled it.

The brownie was a household spirit that Martin also records receiving offerings of milk on stones in the islands, but here it appears as a figure in a seer's vision of the arriving company. Martin names Sir Norman as his informant.

Evidence
Contemporary written record
Access
Access unrecorded
Location
57.705, -7.180 (Parish-level only, treat as an area)

Sources: Martin Martin, A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland (1703), Second sight [public-domain]

View on the map →

Comments

Loading…