We all know about vampires and werewolves, or at least we think we do. The legends and myths that inspired these monsters are sometimes surprisingly different, but no less chilling. In this series of posts, Monster Monday, we’ll investigate the monsters that have informed our modern notions, as well as some lesser known monsters. Today, we talk about the Cù-Sith.

In Scottish folklore, the Cù-Sith is a supernatural dog associated closely with fairies. Cù-Sith means “fairy dog” in Scottish Gaelic. The Cù-Sith appears as a dog the size of a cow with shaggy green or white fur and eyes that glow. Its tail is long and either coiled or plaited. Its paw is said to be the size of a man’s hand.

The Cù-Sith lives in rock crevices or fairy mounds, but can be seen roaming the moors and highlands. It is a harbinger of death and appears to carry souls away to the underworld. It stalks its victims silently, but as a warning will let our three bays that can be heard for mile around. If a person cannot get to a safe place by the third bay, they will die of fright. The Cù-Sith also steals nursing women and takes them to the fairy realm to nurse fairy children.