Redcap Goblins: Dark Fae
In my many years as a folklorist, I have explored the murky depths of myth and folklore, frequently coming upon beings that stretch the bounds of comprehension. In the annals of dark fae lore, redcap goblins are one of these mysterious creatures with a particularly terrible reputation, according to Scottish tradition.
Scottish Adventures
The first time I heard Red Cap goblin stories, I remember clearly. It happened when I was visiting a secluded community in the Scottish Borders that was full of rumors and antiquated customs. The settlement (Broughton), nestled amidst undulating hills and historic ruins, seemed suspended in time. An old villager started telling stories about these evil goblins late one evening as the fire blazed and the wind howled outside. His speech trailed off into a near whisper, and the description of their blood-stained headgear and menacing smiles made the room feel even colder. I got a chill from the strange shadows the flickering firelight made on the walls.
I have no doubt the story was made dramatic and even enhanced for the amusement of tourists. However, I also believe most of the tale was authentic local folklore. I wish I had taken the time to write it all down when I could. I was much younger and new to being a recorder of folklore.
Redcap goblins are a darker, more sinister kind of faerie than the average mischievous faerie. The gory custom of dipping their caps in their victims’ blood gave rise to their moniker, redcap. These goblins have a legend that says they must always have their caps drenched in fresh blood, or they will die. Their gory detail distinguishes them from other fairies, whose shenanigans and pranks usually lack such deadly aim. Redcaps are small, wiry fae with sharp teeth and claws, glowing eyes full of predatory hunger, and a terrifying laugh that reverberates throughout the night. Their frequently tattered clothing and iron boots, which clank menacingly as they move, enhance their frightening aura.
On the other hand, traditional goblins are typically described as mischievous or bothersome, rather than overtly deadly. People frequently portray them as crafty and avaricious, engaging in mischievous actions such as robbing livestock, breaking into houses, and tricking people. These behaviors may be bothersome or even dangerous, but they are insignificant compared to the aggressive and predatory ways that redcap goblins engage in. Though they may be nasty and cruel, the goblins of folklore — such as those seen in Tolkien’s writings or European fairy tales — do not usually participate in the ritualistic bloodshed that characterizes redcap goblins.
Historical narratives and folklore frequently portray redcap goblins as the keepers of abandoned castles and former battlegrounds — places where blood has already spilled. I’ve been to the ruins of Hermitage Castle before. It’s a place known for its sinister past and said to be haunted by redcap goblins. The castle felt like a place where the past refused to die, with its massive stone walls and bleak surroundings. I couldn’t get rid of the sensation that someone was watching me as I strolled along the crumbling stone hallways; it was like someone was looking down on me. The presence of the supposed evil emanating from these monsters was palpable. The residents told tales of strange lights and noises that seemed to come out of nowhere, so they avoided the castle at night.
Hermitage Castle is also home to numerous ghost stories. It has a bad reputation, so it is hard to blame all of the local superstition on the redcap goblins. There may be evil there, but it is not necessarily related to the dark fae.
Analysis
Scholars further demonstrate the distinct and scary characteristics of redcap goblins. Redcaps are defined as dreadful goblins who inhabit ruined towers and castles and dye their hats in human blood by Katharine Briggs in her extensive work, An Encyclopedia of Fairies (Briggs, 1976). Scholars such as Thomas Keightley echo this terrifying description when he noted in The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves, and Other Little People that redcaps are known for their cruelty and their bloodlust, a stark contrast to the more benign or mischievous nature of other goblin types (Keightley, 1978).
Why do people think redcap goblins are dark fae? Their inherent association with violence and death, in my opinion, is what makes them appear shadowy. Redcap goblins take tremendous relish in violence, in contrast to other fairies who could enjoy harmless cunning. It’s vital to their survival, even. They are the epitome of the dark fae because of their inherent ferocity and eerie presence in areas of past bloodshed. These are not cutesy pixies; rather, they are evil forces who feed off the anguish and terror of others.
After years of researching folklore, I’ve discovered that the tales we tell about monsters like redcap goblins frequently mirror our worst fears. They represent the unidentified, terrifying creatures that hide in the shadowy recesses of our existence and thoughts. The ages-old legends warn of the dangers lurking beyond the warmth of the hearth. They serve as a reminder that not all of the threads in the fabric of fairy tradition are woven with light and wonder; others are colored with shadow and blood. The redcap goblins starkly illustrate the dichotomy of the Fae world, where beauty and terror coexist and the lines separating myth from reality blur.
References
Briggs, K. (1976). An Encyclopedia of Fairies. Pantheon Books.
Keightley, T. (1978). The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves, and Other Little People. Avenel Books.
Evans-Wentz, W. Y. (1911). The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries. H. Frowde.
MacDougall, J. (1910). Folk Tales and Fairy Lore in Gaelic and English. John Grant.
Spence, L. (1946). British Fairy Origins. Watts & Company.
