In Scottish folklore, a wirry-cow (or worricow) is a general term for a bugbear, goblin, ghost, or any frightful object. Historically used as a "catch-all" for spirits that inspire terror, the name is also frequently applied to the Devil or even a particularly scary-looking scarecrow.
Key Characteristics
- Etymology: The word is derived from the Scots word wirry (to harass or worry) and cowe (a hobgoblin or object of terror).
- Shape-shifting: In legends, it is often described as a shape-shifter that can appear as a misshapen cow, a bedraggled figure covered in muck, or a dark shadow.
- Habitat: It is most commonly associated with rural Scotland, haunting lonely paths, damp boggy fields, and moorlands.
- Behavior: Unlike malevolent spirits that seek to cause physical harm, the wirry-cow primarily aims to terrify and confuse travellers, leading them to lose their way or flee in panic.
Literary and Cultural References
- Sir Walter Scott: The term gained literary fame through its use in Scott's 1815 novel Guy Mannering, where it refers to objects of superstitious fear.
- Allan Ramsay: The 18th-century Scottish poet used the term to describe bedraggled, frightening figures in his works.
- Variant Words: The prefix "wirry" appears in other Scots derogatory terms, such as wirry-hen (a rogue), wirry-boggle (a rascal), and wirry-carle (a snarling, ill-natured person.