The Brownie - Short, stocky, shaggy-looking and usually less than three feet tall. They are strong and industrious and usually appear naked or are poorly dressed. Brownies like to adopt families and homes which they look after. They appear at night to finish small chores, completing any unfinished work of the day and standing nightly guard over the livestock to protect them from predators or the evil-doers among the fey. They have been known to take lazy servants or helpers to task for their lack of ambition, and will usually harass them in any way they can. Brownies expect nothing in return for their labors except a nightly helping of cream or good milk and perhaps some freshly baked cakes. One must be careful never to belittle or insult a Brownie, or ever leave clothing or too much food. This offends their pride and they will leave with no warning, possibly even doing damage or mischief in the process. Many a profitable croft or farm owes it's success to the presence of a resident Brownie.

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Bodachan Sabhaill (botuchan so-will)

Many people will recognize the Gaelic word "Bodachan," though perhaps not be familiar with all its meanings. Bodachan (bod'ach-an) means ''little old man.'' The word comes from Bodach, which means "old man," but can be used as a term of derision to mean a churl. When the "an" is added to the end it is the diminutive form hence, little old man. One of the older usages of the word is to designate a Brownie. The concept of little old man was the perfect one to describe the common household variety Scottish Brownie. The Scottish Brownie has been relegated by anthropologists to remnants of a folk memory of the small statured pre-Celtic inhabitants of Scotland, but rumors of their existence persist. The Bodachan was once quite common throughout Scotland, and the other Celtic lands, but whose race now is thought to be greatly reduced, or at least it seems so. It is very hard to take an accurate census of Brownies for there are so few people that believe in the little fellows. Belief in Brownies has fallen to an all time low and is greatly discouraged in this post-modern, technological world of computer chips and high-tech everything. There are however, more than a few cottages and homes (of the better sort) that leave out a libation of milk everynight, just in case a Bodachan should require nourishment, and to humor the little fellow to make sure that the car keys do not disappear for the umpteenth time. The Bodachan is a type of fairy, of which there are several and his race is but one. However, the Bodachan is special because he will often form an attachment to a household or family and take up residence with them. This household Brownie is called by different names in different parts of Scotland. The naming of Fairies appears to be a rather inexact science. It is difficult to get people to talk about the Brownies these days. Even among believers, often older folks in remote rural areas there is a certain reluctance to discuss the Bodachain (plural) for fear of ridicule from the younger and more "educated" folk. It is also a well known fact that the Bodachain are tremendously conservative and secretive creatures. Free talk about a Bodachan is likely to make him pack his few belongings and be off. This can have negative consequences for an older couple who rely upon the Bodachan to look after their place when they go to the shops, to close gates left open, or blow on the hearth embers before they get up in the morning. Better to say nothing and leave the Bodachan to his own business. Finding a description of a Bodachan is no easier than giving his race a name. The problem lies with the fact that he is very hard to see. He is, in fact, invisible to most people. People with An Taibhse (taiv-sh), or the Second-Sight, can often see them without any trouble, as can many animals, such as dogs, cats, goats, and horses. For those not blessed with the Second Sight it is still possible to gain a glance of a Bodachan. He is sometimes visible, briefly, in doorways. Often people will get their first sight of a Brownie as he moves quickly from one room into another. He is very fond of peeking around corners and waving to a startled man or woman. Sometimes, he will dispence with his cloak of invisibility and boldly walk through a room, though he will make sure he is in the periphery of a human's vision. The Bodachan is short, from 20 to 32 inches tall. He has long hair, the color ranging from dark brown to blond, with lightbrown the most common. His face is very lined with more than a few wrinkles. His eyes are normally hazel with flecks of blue or green in them. His attire is a simple garment resembling a short robe made of homespun brown wool and it is often quite tattered. The Bodachan normally likes to keep to himself, but often during the fall and winter he has been known to become socialable, sometimes to the point of becoming a bother. In the Highlands, in times now past, he was often seen in farmyards, stables and barns. The milkmaids would leave a gift of milk or cream to keep on good terms with him. This was a good idea because a Bodachan, when irritated by a disrespectful milkmaid or neglectful farmer, would create mischievous havoc upon home and farm. . .gates would open and cattle wander off, milk would spoil, chimneys would no longer draft and smoke would pour into the farm house. Prior to the Rebellion of 1745, Perthshire was particularly known for its large numbers of Brownies. There almost every farm had its Bodachan sabhaill (sav'-ail), or "little old man of the barn." They were a welcomed addition to the farm. The race flourished as far north as the Orkney Islands where, in addition to his customary libation of milk, he also received a portion of grain. The Bodachan is generally good natured and wishes only for kind treatment. This is all that is necessary to gain his favor. There is a line of thought in Scottish folkways that maintains the Bodachan will take offense and leave if given a gift for a task he has performed. Several well-meaning Highland families have lost their Bodachan by presenting him with a payment for his labors. The Lowlands had at one time as many Brownies as the Highlands. Large urban centers and motorways have driven out many of them. The Scottish Bodachan is no longer found only in Scotland. It has been the fate of the Gael to settle in all parts of the world and the Scottish Brownie has followed in his footsteps. Sightings have been reported in many places that Scots have settled. Nova Scotia and the North Carolina mountains have more than a few. Being conservative and traditional in nature they are drawn to families that keep the Gaelic speakers and love to hear songs in the language. They are also very fond of pipe and clarsach music. The smell of oat bannocks fresh from the griddle, or the aroma of a good single malt Scotch are pleasing to them.

If you suspect that you have attracted a Bodachan into your home, here are some pointers. By all means, keep on his good side, if not, you will spend countless hours hunting for keys, tickets, passports, cuff-links, earrings, etc. Buy a small stool and place it by the hearth and allow no one to use it. A Bodachan is very fond of sitting by the fireplace. Late at night leave a small libation of milk in a saucer on the kitchen floor or outside the kitchen door. Don't be alarmed if the cat drinks it; he could not do so without the leave of the Bodachan. It is perhaps wise to refrain from giving him anything that he might perceive as payment for services rendered. Such an act just might send him packing. You may ask him to look after your home while you are away and he will also help you locate lost articles. They will "mysteriously" appear in a place that you have already looked. Also remember that your best chance to see him will be as he passes through a doorway or peeking at you around a corner. Children are more likely to notice him first. The antics of a Bodachan can provide a family with many hours of enjoyment. It is a good thing to keep our Scottish folkways alive, not only for ourselves, but for the children and their children. It is very much a part of being Scottish.