Trow
A trow or trowe is a creature from Shetland and Orkney folklore, cognate with the word "troll". They are Shetland's version of the elf, troll, goblin, gremlin etc.
There are many places in Shetland associated with trow(e)s, but one of the most notable is Windhouse, where someone is said to have fought one off.[1]
It is even possible to buy trow dolls as souvenirs.[2]
Many trowes live underground in mounds.[3] Unlike the usual Scandinavian trolls, in Shetland, trowes can live in the sea as well.[4] They are often said to be very musical, and that some Shetland fiddle tunes originate with them. Every culture has stories about 'little people', and as in all other cultures our Trows can be sometimes good, sometimes mischevious, and sometimes bad. Trows tend to get a 'bad press', and often get the blame for anything that goes wrong. You know the statement "A Computer Gremlin", well "A computer Trow" is just about the same.
External Links
Here are some links to explain more about our Trowie friends:
- Shetland Today Article
- Trows new home at Shetland Museum*Fada's Farsaing
- Monstropedia on trowes
- The story of Lukki Minnie (Fair Isle) - New Statesman
