Name pronunciation:
RED-cap (also known as POW-ree)
General Information:
The Redcap is a fearsome member of the Unseelie Court that most certainly wishes harm upon humans. These malignant faeries originate from the Scottish Borders and are known for their extreme cruelty. They are also called Redcombs, Bloody Cap, or Powries. Because of their violent nature, they are not creatures you would want to meet while exploring the hidden grottos and glens of Scotland. Luckily, you will likely avoid these little villains if you stay away from ruined castles.
Appearance:
Redcap appears as a short, thickset old elf with long, prominent teeth. His skinny fingers are armed with talons like eagles, and his large eyes glow with a fiery red colour. Grizzly hair streams down his shoulders, and he wears heavy iron boots. Most importantly, he wears a distinctive red cap. This cap is soaked in the blood of his victims to maintain its crimson hue.
Habitat:
The Redcap lives in the ruined and abandoned castles and forts found throughout the Borders. He specifically chooses sites where battles or particularly grisly events happened in the past. Consequently, these ruins are dangerous places for lonely travellers. He hides in wait for people visiting these ancient structures.
Behaviour:
Redcap is a predatory creature that kills to sustain its own life. Once he finds a victim, he throws large stones from the ruins to crush them. After the murder, he takes off his cap and soaks it in their blood. This is vital because the Redcap will die if his cap ever dries up. Therefore, he must kill regularly to survive. You can only drive him away by quoting Scripture or brandishing a crucifix.
Shape-shifting Ability:
None recorded. He usually maintains his grotesque, old-man appearance.
Variant:
Not all stories describe these creatures as murderous villains. For example, a Redcap in Perthshire was said to be a placid old man living in Grandtully Castle. This version brought good fortune to those who saw him. Additionally, Dutch folklore features the Kabouter, which is a much mellower creature. In Cornwall, some fairies were called redcaps simply because they wore red hats with green jackets.
Location in Scotland:
The Redcap is primarily found in the Scottish Borders, particularly at Hermitage Castle and Blackett Tower. However, the more peaceful variant resides further north in Perthshire.
Stories/ Sightings or Experiences:
The Dark Pact of Robin Redcap
William de Soulis was a powerful and cruel lord who ruled from Hermitage Castle. He practised the Black Arts and terrorised his tenants by stealing their children for rituals. Eventually, his cruelty attracted a Redcap known as Robin Redcap or Redcap Sly. Robin offered William complete protection from harm in exchange for free reign of the land. He claimed that William could only be harmed by a three-stranded rope made of sand.
The Fall of the Wizard Lord
The tenants eventually sought help from Thomas the Rhymer to stop the dark wizard. Thomas was clever and created a hollow, three-stranded lead belt that could be filled with sand. The villagers used this belt to bind William de Soulis during an attack on the castle. Because he was finally bound, they were able to boil him alive in revenge. Robin Redcap disappeared after the death, but people still see him searching for his hidden treasure.
The Phantom of Blackett Tower
Blackett Tower in Dumfriesshire is haunted by a spirit known as Old Red Cap or Bloody Bell. This entity is described as a ghastly phantom rather than a physical goblin. He is often seen holding a bloody dagger beneath a red moon. This haunting serves as a reminder of the violent history of the Border families.
Purpose of the myth or Legend:
The Redcap serves as a terrifying warning to stay away from dangerous ruins. The legend reflects the real-world violence of the Border Reivers and the centuries of war in the region. By turning historical bloodshed into a monster, the stories helped people process the trauma of their past. Furthermore, the myth reinforced the power of faith as the only defence against such darkness.
