Christmas Folkore - The Scottish Krampus.

Crom Dubh na Nollaig - The dark Christmas spirit.

The nights are longer, the branches of the trees and bushes are glazed with a morning frost. We draw closer to our fires, dreaming of warmer days to come. Years ago before Television or Radio, people would entertain themselves through the dark winters, with tales of terror, stories of ghosts, premonitions, and monstrous entities. All whilst huddled around the hearth, its ruddy glow, driving the brooding shadows back to the corners of the room. Over the coming weeks I will share a few of the traditions and ghost stories that so fascinated and horrified our ancestors.

Islay is known as ‘The Queen of The Hebrides,’ it is the southern most island in that famous Scottish archipelago. A rugged place with many bays and sea lochs, here the winter winds sweep off the Atlantic, ensuring that the folk who dwell there stay indoors as much as possible during the dark season.

Krampus has become a fairly well known cultural icon in the last few years, the subject of movies, books and podcasts throughout the globe. This Alpine demon, this anti Santa, visits naughty children, but where Santa arrives on Christmas Eve, with a jolly ‘Ho, Ho, Ho’ and a belly that looks like it is full of Jelly. Krampus skulks about on 5th December, Krampus Night (Krampusnacht,) scaring badly behaved Austrian children.

But this blog is not about Krampus, much has already been written about that festive scrooge. This blog is about Crom Dubh na Nollaig (translated to the Dark Crooked One of Christmas.) The horrific Scottish cousin of Krampus, a mysterious figure who visits and terrorises the good people of Islay over the festive period. He is said to wander the Island on cold dark nights, especially Christmas Eve, looking for mischievous youngsters.

Crom Dubh’s arrival was said to be preceded by a frightful, unearthly howling wind that came down the chimney. Witnesses described the noise as resembling the voices of the damned, crying out in misery and pain. The observer would be frozen in terror as the breath of the demonic entity swept down the flue, causing the firelight to dance with chaotic vigour and throwing wild shadows about the room.

It is easy to imagine the parents discovering their child in the morning, cowering beneath the blankets and insisting they would be good from now on, fearful of the terrible fate that might await them should Crom Dubh na Nollaig be forced to return a second time.

Crom Dubh na Nollaig is closely linked to Crom Cruach, an entity I have written about before and the antagonist in my book Fireside Horror. In this guise he is sometimes depicted as a horned god. His origins lie across the sea in Ireland, where he is variously portrayed as a servant of St Patrick or as opposing the old priest and being driven off by him. His cult and worship are ancient, tied to harvest rites and sacrifice.

A pretty effective way of keeping the nippers on the straight and narrow. I personally would have been terrified to put a foot out of line had I thought such a monster would pay me a visit.

If you enjoyed this festive folklore, and want to read tales of Crom Cruach and his cult, or just like scary stories, and tales of the monstrous, why not check out my book ‘Fireside Horror.’ Its a perfect companion for those chilly evenings, and would make a lovely gift for any friends and family who enjoy the spooky. Link below -