Fetlar Fairy Hauntings
On the windswept island of Fetlar, several abandoned watermills stand as testaments to a long-forgotten industry. But it's not just their crumbling stonework that's intriguing - these mills are said to be haunted by mischievous fairies. According to local legend, the fairies drove the mill owners away, leaving the buildings to decay. The exact date of these events is unknown, but the story has become an integral part of the island's folklore.
Historical records of the watermills on Fetlar are scarce, but it's believed they date back to the 19th century. The island's remote location and harsh climate made it a challenging place to live and work. The fairy legend may have originated as a way to explain the mills' abandonment, or perhaps it was a genuine experience that was passed down through generations. Whatever the truth may be, the story of the fairies has become a fascinating part of Fetlar's heritage.
The watermills on Fetlar Island date back to the 19th century, when the island was a thriving industrial centre.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
The White Wife Apparition
Road between Watlee and Uyeasound, Uyeasound, Unst
Deep in the Shetland Islands, on the winding Watlee Brae road that connects Watlee to Uyeasound, a chilling encounter took place. In January 1999, local musician Steven Spence was driving down this very road when he claimed to have seen a pale female apparition smiling at him from the side of the road. This unexpected sighting was significant enough to make local headlines, with the council even considering erecting a statue to honour the mysterious figure, dubbed the White Wife of Watlee.
Trow of Windhouse Yell
Area around Windhouse, Yell
Windhouse on the island of Yell has a dark Christmas Eve legend attached to it. A shipwrecked sailor stumbled upon the Windhouse household on Christmas Eve, only to find they were in the process of leaving. They warned him that terrible things would happen on this night, and a death would normally occur. The sailor, not one to back down, offered to spend the night in the house. As sunset approached, he encountered a huge Trow, a mysterious creature from local folklore. Grabbing an axe, the sailor gave chase, catching up with the creature outside and striking it a blow or two. But when the family returned home, they found the body had vanished, leaving behind only bright green holly.