Trow (folklore)

__NOTOC__ In the folkloric traditions of the Orkney and Shetland islands, a trow (Alternatively trowe; a Scots term for "troll" [ [http://www.dsl.ac.uk/dsl/getent4.php?plen=11075&startset=44442733&query=TROW&fhit=trowe&dregion=entry&dtext=snd#fhit Dictionary of the Scots Language] ] ) is a small, troll-like fairy creature. Trows, in general, are inclined to be short of stature, ugly and both shy and mischievous in nature. Like the troll of Scandinavian legend, with which the trow shares many similarities, trows are nocturnal creatures; venturing out of their ‘trowie knowes’ (earthen mound dwellings) solely in the evening, often proceeding to enter households as the inhabitants slept. Trows traditionally have a fondness for music, and folktales tell of their habit of kidnapping musicians or luring them to their dens.

Trowie tunes

Some Shetland fiddle tunes are said to have come to human fiddlers when they heard the trows playing. One example of such a "trowie tune," "Winyadepla", may be found in the playing of Tom Anderson on his album with Aly Bain, "The Silver Bow".

... a troop of folk came in. A woman took off the nappie from her baby and hung it on Gibbie's leg, near the fire, to dry. Then one of the trows said, "What'll we do ta da sleeper?" "Lat him aleen," replied the woman, "he's no a ill body. Tell Shanko ti gie him a ton." Said Shanko, "A ton he sall hae, an we'll drink his blaand." After drinking, they trooped out of the mill, and danced on the green nearby ... [http://www.ibiblio.org/fiddlers/WIN_WIZ.htm#WINYADEPLA]

See also

* Troll
* Goblin
* Leprechaun
* Kobold
* Sprite
* Dark Elves
* Dark Elves in fiction

External links

* [http://www.orkneyjar.com/folklore/trows/ What is a Trow @ Orkneyjar]
* [http://www.shetlandtoday.co.uk/visitor/content_details.asp?ContentID=6062 ShetlandToday]

References