The bauchan (Scottish: bòcan English: bauchan, buckawn or bogan) 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.
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. The relationship between Callum and the bauchan was noted as being contradictory in nature. While the bauchan was belligerent and combative, he often provided assistance in various farm-related tasks. 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.
Fiction
The character "Buckeye" is a bauchan in the fantasy novel The Haunted Wizard (1999) by Christopher Stasheff.
See also
References
- James MacKillop. "bòcan." A Dictionary of Celtic Mythology. 2004. Retrieved May 11, 2010 from Encyclopedia.com: "Bòcan – Dictionary definition of bòcan | Encyclopedia.com: FREE online dictionary". Archived from the original on 2011-09-12. Retrieved 2010-05-11.
- ^ Briggs, Katharine (1976). An Encyclopedia of Fairies. Pantheon Books. p. 19. ISBN 0394409183.
- Campbell, John Francis (1896). Popular tales of the West Highlands: orally collected, Volume 2. Vol. II. Edmonston and Douglas.
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| Creatures in Scottish mythology and folklore | |
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| Birds | |
| Cryptids | |
| Deities | |
| Demons | |
| Fairies/spirits | |
| Giants | |
| Gnomes | |
| Goblins/hobgoblins | |
| Mermaids | |
