Where to find Fantastic Folklore and Magical Myths

Where to find Fantastic Folklore and Magical Myths

There are those who simply go on holiday, and there are those who search for magic. Sunbathing and sea-splashing are just fine for the tourist-next-door, but a truly fantastical adventure begins when you brave windswept hilltops and tiptoe into caves for a thrilling taste of a region’s folklore, myths and legends. From prehistoric reptiles lurking in swirling river depths, to ghostly ice maidens and phantom army platoons, travellers have been fascinated by mythical beings for time immemorial. Book a cosy cottage nestled in the darkness of an enchanted forest or the shadow of a looming mountain, then set off in search of the hideouts of legendary creatures believed to lurk nearby. Get planning your magical mystery tour with our guide to some of the world’s top location for spotting ghosts, gods and monsters.

DISCOVER THE MYTHS

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The Hawaiian Night Marchers

The Hawaiian Night Marchers

Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

If you’re picturing floral headbands, grass skirts and the charming thrum of a ukulele, think again. There’s a dark side to Hawaii not many holiday-makers know about, but this stunning volcanic archipelago is home to some heart-thumping myths and legends worth investigating. During your stay in tropical paradise, listen out for the trembling beat of primitive drumming, as it could be a sign the night marchers are on their way. This band of ghostly apparitions are believed by some to be armed spirit warriors marching into battle with cloaks, spears and clubs, blowing into conch shells to release a soul-stirring call that announces their return. Be sure to book your adventure around one of the nights when Hawaiians honour their gods Kane, Ku or Lono, to have the best chance of hearing these terrifying soldiers march.

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Jaguar: the God of Fire

Jaguar: the God of Fire

Guatemala, Central America

Apart from having some of the world’s most spectacular volcanoes and rainforests, Guatemala also boasts a colourful folkloric tradition, passed through families over the generations. If you’re heading to this bold and beautiful destination, listen out for the tale of Jaguar, the legendary Mayan god of fire. With catlike ears and pointed fangs, this God of war and flames is said to represent the sun’s nocturnal journey through the underworld before it rises at morning. Book your trip around the country’s Semana Santa or Holy Week, to fully embrace the countries cultural riches, both ancient and modern.

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The Cornish Pirates

The Cornish Pirates

Isle of Scilly, UK

Cornwall is rich in folklore, legend and mythology, thanks largely to Celtic, Saxon and Viking influences, and of course its association with pirates. Off the coast of the county, Tresco, one of the Isles of Scilly, is a treasure trove of myths, particularly around Piper’s Hole. This eighty-metre-deep cave on the northern coast is the legendary haunt of mermaids and smugglers. Search for the perfect Cornish cottage, then climb down into the cave with candlelight to guide your way and discover rocky arches and a freshwater pool. Keep your eyes peeled for hidden treasure! Legend has it that if you take the passage far enough, you will arrive at the adjacent island of St Mary’s, though few have been brave enough to try...

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The Cat Sìth

The Cat Sìth

The Highlands, Scotland

Cat people beware, this folkloric feline is not to be crossed. The Cat Sìth is a mythical creature with Celtic origins, said to resemble a very large black cat with a white spot on its chest. Also referred to as the ‘King of the Cats’, this menacing animal has several mysterious beliefs attached to it. Born of the spirit world, the Sìth is said to roam the Scottish Highlands, stealing the souls of the dead before the gods could claim them. As a result, sightings were often reported in cemeteries. Another tale claims that the Sìth is a witch with the ability to change into a cat. Witches with this gift could change from human to cat only eight times. If they chose to transform a ninth time, they were doomed to live out the rest of their days in cat form. This legend could be the reason that cats are said to have nine lives. To learn more about this creepy cat and other creatures, head to Scotland’s vast Highland coast.

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The Huldufolk

The Huldufolk

Faroe Islands, Denmark

Elves generally have a reputation for being cheerful, but not in Denmark. Forget the fur-trimmed green jackets Hollywood has sold you, on the Faroe Islands lurks a gang of grey-clad creatures called the Huldufolk, who locals claim are responsible for landslides, ill-health and even crop failures across these beautiful isles. The legend says the mischievous elves occasionally bless farms with a decent harvest when they are in good spirits, but are largely unimpressed with human activity, holding up construction projects as it interferes with their sleep patterns. The Faroe Islands craggy majesty is a marvellous spot to indulge your wildest folklore fantasies, with quaint cottages roofed with shaggy grass and the colourful St Olaf’s Day celebration where traditional costumes and folk dancing bring legends to life.

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Spectral Army

Spectral Army

Souther Fell, Lake District, UK

For an eerie chill closer to home, book a break in England’s Lake District, where you can tread the alleged path of a group of ghostly soldiers and carriages spotted on Midsummer’s Day, 1745. The procession left no tracks or footprints and there were no military forces serving in the region at that time. Although the ground over which they appeared to be travelling was deemed too insecure and dangerous for such a journey, witnesses said they saw the group crossing the ridge over a period of hours, before vanishing into thin air as they reached the end of the stunning Souther Fell hilltop. As you brave the winds in Cumbria’s gorgeous landscapes, keep your eyes peeled for the haunting sight of the mysterious troops as they march across the moors or other myths.

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The Mackenzie Poltergeist

The Mackenzie Poltergeist

Edinburgh, Scotland

With its centuries-old architecture and cobbled streets evoking the haunting clip-clop of ghostly horse-drawn carriages, Edinburgh is a must-visit for anyone chasing the thrill of urban myths and spooky tales. In the city’s Greyfriars cemetery, housed in the chillingly named Black Mausoleum, lies the body of Sir George MacKenzie, a lawyer responsible for the persecution of a religious group called the Covenanters. Described as ‘the scariest place on earth,’ explorations of the mausoleum and Covenanters prison behind it have caused some witnesses to collapse in fear. Among other things, Sir George’s ghost has been blamed for unexplained bruises and burns on their skin. Not one for the faint-hearted, but to get your supernatural fix, book a visit to Scotland, and head to its busy capital to pique your curiosity at a grand museum or clamber up the windswept Arthur’s Seat.

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Anansi the Spider

Anansi the Spider

Ghana, West Africa

As well as its wonderful wildlife, proud forts and buzzing streets markets, Ghana’s vibrant mythology is filled with amazing stories. The best-known character is Anansi, a spider who occasionally takes the form of a man and is a symbol of wisdom, mental agility and a way with words. Also representing the resistance to slavery, Anansi is said to have used his cunning ways to escape the clutches of his oppressors and ultimately triumph. If you’re heading to Ghana, you might persuade a local to regale you with stories of Anansi’s scrapes as you tuck into a flavourful plate of Jollof and watch the bustling world go by.

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Koschei the Deathless

Koschei the Deathless

Russia

Delve deep into Slavic folklore with a search for the skeletal form of Koschei the Deathless, a scrawny figure of skin and bone who kidnaps young women and is said to be immortal. According to Russian legend, Koschei’s soul is hidden in a needle, which is enclosed within an egg, inside a duck, inside a hare, encased in a golden chest, buried beneath a tree on the mystical island of Buyan. Only the person who finds and breaks the needle can kill Koschei. While a crusade to destroy a dark hidden spirit might be slightly ambitious, a break to Russia’s capital will be a Dr Zhivago-like dream of snowy cityscapes, elegant furs and the pounding of ballet shoes on a spotlit stage, each steeped in urban myths and ghostly rumours of their own.

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The Yuki-Onna Snow Woman

The Yuki-Onna Snow Woman

Niigata, Japan

Asia’s folklore is packed with beguiling myths and profound moral tales. Japan’s rich storytelling history is no exception. With jaw-dropping natural sights unparalleled across the globe, the Japanese landscape is a grand and glorious backdrop to the spine-tingling legends that have been passed down through countless generations. One such mystery is the story of Yuki-Onna, a pale-skinned woman with long black hair and a white kimono who is believed to appear during snowfall. Legend has it the ghostly apparition feeds on human souls, by freezing victims with her icy breath and sucking their souls out through their frozen lips. It is said the beautiful and serene Yuki-Onna may be the ghost of a woman made to bathe against her will, who transformed into ice when she entered the bath. A chilling tale to add a sub-zero thrill to your Japanese winter break.

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The Hawkesbury River Monster

The Hawkesbury River Monster

New South Wales, Australia

This cryptid, not unlike Scotland’s beloved Loch Ness monster, is an aquatic lizard believed to lurk in the murky depths of New South Wales’ Hawkesbury River. Descriptions from those who claim to have spotted the scaly beast match up with that of the prehistoric plesiosaur, whose snakelike form is believed to have been extinct for millions of years. Settlers in the 1800s told tales of women and children being attacked by this mighty aquatic monster, known by the Aborigines as the ‘Moolyewonk’. If the gorgeous coastal cities and flourishing natural parks of New South Wales aren’t tickling your folkloric fancy, then a trip along the Hawkesbury River to hunt for this elusive reptile could be the ideal addition to your itinerary.

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