The Ghillie Dhu from Scotland

The Ghillie Dhu from Scotland: Most of us in the field have heard of the Ghillie suits, this kind of camouflage cloak made of foliage and grass or fabrics looking as such, used for stealth operations by some military units or hunters, including some odd stud standing out in the bush thinking they are smart enough to lure, track or trick a Sasquatch by using such camo gear.

They remind of the straw men or wild men impersonated by costumed dancers in pre-Christian ceremonies across Europe that have survived in several regions as festivals reminescent of old ancestral traditions, who often turn out to be chased or burned in epic reenactments. Like many others I presume, I had been fooled in thinking that the name ”Ghillie” was an abreviation for ”gorilla”, but the real origin of the name is rather different.

The following is from different sources.

Gille Dubh translates from Scottish Gaelic as “dark haired lad”. In Scottish folklore, the Ghillie Dhu or Gille Dubh is a mysterious and reclusive male nature nymph or fairy-like creature believed to inhabit the dense forests of the Highlands, acting as a protector and guardian of the forest.

Residing in the birch woods near Loch a Druing, in the north-west Highland area of Gairloch, he was mainly reported in the latter part of the 18th century. One summer evening a young local child named Jessie Macrae wandered into the woods and became lost. Jessie was found by the Ghillie Dhu who looked after her until the next morning when he took her home. Over a period of four decades the Ghillie Dhu was frequently seen by lots of different people but Jessie was the only person he conversed with.

Described as a solitary and shy being, the Ghillie Dhu is often depicted as a tall, lean figure with wild hair and skin the color of moss, allowing it to blend seamlessly into its woodland surroundings. Said to be dark haired, he is described as cloaked in leaves and moss (similar to a Green Man in England and Wales). He prefers the birch tree to all other trees, and is most active at night. He won’t eat meat, so his diet consists of berries and nuts.

Despite its elusive nature, the Ghillie Dhu is known for its gentle demeanor and benevolent intentions. It is said to possess magical powers, able to vanish into thin air or camouflage itself completely when threatened.

It is said to be particularly protective of children, often appearing to lost or distressed youngsters in the woods, and sometimes will even comfort and guide lost humans to safety. However, other stories indicate that Ghillie Dhu especially dislikes humans and can be aggressive to anyone who enters its territory. If you were to walk in the forest at night, the Ghillie Dhu would wrap its long arms around you, squeeze you, and imprison you forever. Others say it simply crushes you into compost to help the forest grow.

Shortly after the episode with Jessie Macrae, a group of Mackenzie dignitaries were invited by the landowner, Sir Hector Mackenzie of Gairloch, to get together to hunt and capture the Ghillie Dhu. The team of five hunters congregated at the home of one of Mackenzie’s tenants where they were provided with an evening meal before setting off on their mission to shoot the Ghillie Dhu. Despite searching extensively throughout the night, the hunters could not find their prey; according to Patricia Monaghan, a writer on Celtic mythology, the Ghillie Dhu was never seen again.

Although sightings of the Ghillie Dhu are rare and largely confined to local folklore, its presence continues to captivate the imaginations of those who believe in the magic and mystery of Scotland’s ancient woodlands.