Foula's Mysterious Water Horse
Foula's rugged landscape is home to a most peculiar haunting, centred around the old mills with their creaking water wheels. It's here that the Nygel, a strange water horse, is said to appear. This curious creature is described as having a tail that arches over its back, and it's known to use its teeth to stop the water wheels from turning. Locals have shared tales of the Nygel's antics, which seem to be focused around these water-powered mills.
One particularly intriguing story tells of the Nygel entering a local man's home, causing him to flee in terror. The building was then left empty for a staggering thirty years. While we can't pinpoint the exact date of this event, it's clear that the Nygel's legend has been woven into the fabric of Foula's history. The fact that this creature is associated with water wheels suggests a possible connection to the island's industrial past, when these mills played a vital role in the local economy.
The Shetland Islands have a rich history of folklore and myth, with many stories centred around the sea and the land.