“Mere-Maids” Freshwater Mermaids: Folklore from the Scottish Lochs
This week I am in Scotland near Aviemore, I’ve been doing a lot of trail running and also spending time at Loch Morlich, a beautiful freshwater loch surrounded by forest and the Cairngorm mountains. I’ve been experimenting with some underwater photography in its clear, cold water (approx Zero Degrees C), curious to see how the light and landscape change beneath on on its the surface. I also had a mini photoshoot on the loch’s foreshore in the winter sunshine and a chill wind!
Being near a loch like that, it’s easy to understand why freshwater mermaid stories have long found a place in Scottish folklore.
When people imagine mermaids, they often picture ocean waves, rocky coastlines, and distant horizons. But in Scottish folklore, mermaids are not only creatures of the sea. Some of the most intriguing stories place them in fresh water — in the still, dark depths of lochs and inland waters across Scotland.
These freshwater mermaids feel different from their ocean-dwelling cousins. The stories surrounding them are quieter, more mysterious, and often connected to the reflective, shadowed nature of lochs themselves.
The Ceasg – A Freshwater Water Spirit
One figure sometimes linked with Scottish mermaid folklore is the Ceasg (pronounced roughly keesk), a being described as half woman and half fish - usually a young salmon. The Ceasg was said to possess powerful knowledge of the water and could grant wishes or good fortune if treated respectfully / for her freedom. She is part of the landscape — a presence tied to the rhythms of water, weather, and place. Some tales say she has the freedom of all waters and can move between rivers, lochs and the sea.
Water That Holds Stories
Lochs themselves invite this kind of storytelling. Many are glacially carved and extremely deep, their dark waters reflecting sky and mountain in equal measure. Standing beside and entering a small Loch like Loch Morlich, it’s easy to understand why legends take root there.
The stillness of the water can feel almost watchful. Ripples travel slowly across the surface, reflections shift, and shapes appear that may or may not be real. Reflections mirror the beautiful surrounding scenery like snow capped mountains and forests.
In this kind of environment, mermaids feel less like fantasy and more like metaphor — a way of describing the sense that water holds memory and mystery.
Freshwater Mermaids as Symbols
Freshwater mermaids often feel more introspective than ocean mermaids. Where sea mermaids belong to tides and vast movement, loch mermaids belong to depth, reflection, and quiet.
They remind us that water doesn’t have to be dramatic to be powerful. Sometimes it is the still waters — the hidden lochs and shadowed pools — that hold the most stories.
Perhaps that is why these legends endure.
Standing beside a loch at dusk, when the wind drops and the water becomes a mirror, it’s not hard to imagine that something might be watching from just beneath the surface.
Further Reading
If you’d like to explore Scottish mermaid and water folklore further, these books offer fascinating collections of stories and traditions:
Scottish Fairy and Folk Tales – Sir George Douglas
A classic collection of Scottish folklore, including stories of water spirits and other supernatural beings.
A classic collection of Scottish folklore, including stories of water spirits and other supernatural beings.
The Lore of Scotland: A Guide to Scottish Legends – Sophia Kingshill and Jennifer Westwood
A well-researched guide to the myths and legends associated with landscapes across Scotland, including lochs and coastal waters.
A well-researched guide to the myths and legends associated with landscapes across Scotland, including lochs and coastal waters.
Scottish Myths and Legends – Judy Hamilton
An accessible introduction to traditional Scottish stories, featuring selkies, water spirits, and mermaid folklore.
An accessible introduction to traditional Scottish stories, featuring selkies, water spirits, and mermaid folklore.
The Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies – Robert Kirk
A famous 17th-century account of supernatural beliefs in Scotland, offering insight into the wider folklore tradition that includes water spirits and other liminal beings.
A famous 17th-century account of supernatural beliefs in Scotland, offering insight into the wider folklore tradition that includes water spirits and other liminal beings.
