Bauchan

The bauchan (Scottish: bòcan[1] English: bauchan, buckawn or bogan[2]) is a type of domestic hobgoblin in Scottish folklore. It is often mischievous and sometimes dangerous, but is also very helpful when the need arises.[2]

Folklore

John Francis Campbell in his Popular Tales of the West Highlands tells the story of Callum Mor MacIntosh whose farm in Lochaber was haunted by a bauchan. There was a kind of love-hate relationship between them, for the bauchan was belligerent and they often fought, but he also provided valuable help for Callum whenever it was needed. When Callum emigrated to New York City the bauchan went with him and helped him clear his new plot of land. In this tale the bauchan is a shapeshifter and is able to transform into a goat.[2][3]

Fiction

The character "Buckeye" is a bauchan in the fantasy novel The Haunted Wizard (1999) by Christopher Stasheff.

References

  1. ↑ James MacKillop. "bòcan." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 11, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
  2. 1 2 3 Briggs, Katharine (1976). An Encyclopedia of Fairies. Pantheon Books. p. 19. ISBN 0394409183.
  3. ↑ Campbell, John Francis (1896). Popular tales of the West Highlands: orally collected, Volume 2. II. Edmonston and Douglas.

See also

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