When An Ancient Monster Rears Its Head(s)

A strange saga of two strange, supernatural creatures that might really have been just one...

Beware of the Kelpie...

My new Creature of the Month article for New Page Books' blog focuses on a paranormal beast that many assume is one of centuries past, rather than the present. That may not be the case, however...

Welcome to the dark world of the Kelpie...

And here's an extract from the article:

"Paul Bell was a keen fisherman who I met back in early 2001 and who had a remarkable story to relate of truly monstrous proportions. And when I say 'remarkable,' I’m not exaggerating. His summer 1976 encounter, on a pleasant and picturesque stretch of English canal, involved not just one breed of bizarre beast but two.

"The further I dug into the story, however, the more and more convinced I became that the diabolical monsters were actually one and the same - albeit in an acutely strange fashion. If that all sounds very odd, well, it is! Bear with me, however, and all will soon become clear."

The Shape-Shifting Kelpie

"According to Scottish legend, the Kelpie – or the water-horse – is a wholly supernatural creature that haunts the rivers, bridges and lochs of ancient Scotland and that has the uncanny ability to shape-shift. The most common form that the Kelpie takes is that of a horse – hence the name. It stands by the water’s edge, tempting any passing and weary traveller that might consider continuing on his or her journey to mount it. That, however, is always the fatal downfall of the traveller, as invariably the beast is then said to rear violently and charge head-long into the depths of the river or loch, and thus drowning its terrified rider in the process."

Those are the opening words to my latest Mysterious Universe article on the weird connection between the British Bigfoot and water...