Brownie

Celtic

In Scottish Gaelic folklore, the brownie was a household elf who would make sure their home was tidy at night, while the family were sleeping.

Failing to reward the brownie for his service would result in either the brownie leaving the household or at worst, mischievously causing havoc in the house such as breaking dishes, spoiling milk, and chasing away cattle or other animals from the property.

The brownie was comparable to the German kobold, which pretty much had the same function as the brownie.

Related Information

Name

Brownie – "little brown man".

Culture

Scottish Gaelic.

Type

solitary.

Sources

Scottish Fairy and Folk Tales was written by Sir George Douglas (1901).

Created:June 3, 2005

Modified:May 3, 2024