Christmas Folkore - The Scottish Krampus.

Crom Dubh na Nollaig - The dark Christmas spirit.

The nights are longer, the branches of the trees and bushes are glazed with a morning frost. We draw closer to our fires, dreaming of warmer days to come. Years ago before Television or Radio, people would entertain themselves through the dark winters, with tales of terror, stories of ghosts, premonitions, and monstrous entities. All whilst huddled around the hearth, its ruddy glow, driving the brooding shadows back to the corners of the room. Over the coming weeks I will share a few of the traditions and ghost stories that so fascinated and horrified our ancestors.

Islay is known as ‘The Queen of The Hebrides,’ it is the southern most island in that famous Scottish archipelago. A rugged place with many bays and sea lochs, here the winter winds sweep off the Atlantic, ensuring that the folk who dwell there stay indoors as much as possible during the dark season.

Krampus has become a fairly well known cultural icon in the last few years, the subject of movies, books and podcasts throughout the globe. This Alpine demon, this anti Santa, visits naughty children, but where Santa arrives on Christmas Eve, with a jolly ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ and a belly that looks like it is full of Jelly. Krampus skulks about on 5th December, Krampus Night (Krampusnacht,) scaring badly behaved Austrian children.

But this blog is not about Krampus, much has already been written about that festive scrooge. This blog is about Crom Dubh na Nollaig (translated to the Dark Crooked One of Christmas.) The horrific Scottish cousin of Krampus, a mysterious figure who visits and terrorises the good people of Islay over the festive period. He is said to wander the Island on cold dark nights, especially Christmas Eve, looking for mischievous youngsters.

Crom Dubh na Nollaig , is described as a large man, slightly hunched, clad in tattered tartan robes, with great horns twisting from his head. His arrival was said to be proceeded by a frightful, unearthly, howling wind that came down the chimney. Witness’s describe this noise as sounding like the voices of the damned, crying out in misery and pain.

He would appear at the foot of the child’s bed, a silhouette, outlined by the light of the fire’s embers. He carried with him an aged leather bag, marked with Gaelic symbols. This he opened, showing its contents to his unfortunate victim.

The Child would be found in the morning, cowering in their bed, insisting that they would be good from now on, knowing the terrible fate that would await them should Crom Dubh na Nollaig be forced to return for a second time.

A pretty effective way of keeping the nippers on the straight and narrow. I personally would have been terrified to put a foot out of line had I thought such a monster would pay me a visit.

If you enjoyed this festive folklore, and like ghost stories, and tales of the monstrous, why not check out my book ‘Fireside Horror.’ Its a perfect companion for those chilly evenings, and would make a lovely gift for any friends and family who enjoy the spooky. Link below -