Ghillie Dhu

A retelling of the Scottish folk tale of Ghillie Dhu, the gentle forest guardian who guides a lost child home and leaves behind a lasting memory of kindness.

BY RUBY CARMEN

In the timeless time of myth, in the northwest Highlands of Scotland, there lived a forest spirit, a guardian of the forests and glens. Even today, he is known as Ghillie Dhu.¹

Some say that once he was, in fact, a human boy who was adopted by the fairy folk or na daoine sìthe.² Later in life, he lived in the forests of the Highlands in exile after the Queen of the Fairies banished him for disobeying her orders. Ghillie Dhu was known to be shy and kind, existing between the two worlds but belonging in the forest he protected. Indeed, in his costume of moss and leaves, human folks rarely saw him, though the sensitive ones felt his protective presence in the woods of oak and birch.

There was a village near Loch Gairloch, and oftentimes the grandmothers would tell tales of the fairy folk, mixed with warnings of wandering alone in the forest. One young girl who grew up listening to these stories was Jessie MacRae.

One summer’s day, when the weather was bright and fine, Jessie, in her determination and curiosity, decided that she would go to the forest and forage for berries, as the brambles and huckleberries were growing plentifully there. She had asked her younger brother to come with her, and he flatly refused, promising not to tell their mother with a solemn pinkie promise. Jessie set off with a heather-hued woolen shawl and a wee basket for her berries. Her freckled face was set with single-mindedness and a dose of courage, for she was a free spirit who loved being in the peace and calm of the forest walls.

And oh, it was so beautiful there! As she entered the forest, she felt truly transported into the world of the fairy folk. The sunlight streamed down magically through the treetops, dancing playfully across the flora, especially the wildflowers that swayed softly in the gentle breeze. The air felt so fresh; Jessie breathed deeply and began to sing sweetly to herself. Some curious woodland creatures stopped in their tracks and noticed her song. Jessie sang the lullaby “Tha Mi Sgìth,” also known as the fairy song.³

Much to her delight, Jessie found an abundance of berries, munching gleefully on some as she went, her lips colored by the tart blackberries. She filled her basket to the brim with berries to bring them back for her family.

Just like this, time passed without her noticing, and suddenly it seemed that dusk was approaching, with that golden light that wraps its arms around you. “Time to go home now,” she said firmly to herself with a slight sigh.

Jessie began walking back to her village when she realized that she had lost her bearings. She checked the direction of the sun, the skyline, and the position of the trees, but instead of certainty, she felt confusion. After some wandering, she felt even more uncertain of her way. In her mind, she said, “I have lost my way; what will happen now?” Confusion gave way to despair, and Jessie sat down at the foot of an old oak tree, tears of frustration welling up in her cornflower-blue-eyes. She put her head on her lap.

It was then that Ghillie Dhu appeared, rustling in his moss-covered cloak and asked, “What troubles you, child?” Jessie did not answer. Her chin wobbled, and tears spilled down her cheeks. Then, Jessie looked up and saw the soft, friendly brown eyes of the forest spirit. She steadied herself and replied, “Sir, I am lost. I can’t find my way home.” Ghillie Dhu, in a reassuring voice, responded, “Fear not, child, I will guide you home.” Jessie nodded, noticing the kindness in his tone and the concern in his eyes. She was unafraid.

With a dimpled smile, Ghillie Dhu asked her, “Tell me, where is your home? Is it the village by the loch?” Jessie affirmed with a nod. As they made their way through the forest, the light beginning to fade, the bluebells marking the way, the birds, animals, trees, and flowers seemed to bow down to Ghillie Dhu with reverence. They walked in comfortable silence until Jessie, who was full of curiosity, asked him, “Who are your people?”⁴ The question hung in the coolness of the evening air. “Well, I belong here, child,” he said in a matter-of-fact manner. “The sìthe cared for me as their kin.”

The shining stars and the moon, too, guided them on their path until they reached the gates. Jessie felt her heart burst full of gratitude for Ghillie Dhu’s kindness and care. She turned around to tell him so, the moonlight touching her face now, but he was already gone, into the shadows. Into the night sky,  Jessie whispered, “Thank you, I won’t forget you.” And she never did. When she was grown and became a mother herself, she told the tale of Ghillie Dhu to her children and, in turn, her grandchildren. Today, I tell you this story from long ago, so that the kindness of the forest guardian is never forgotten.

1. Ghillie comes from the Scottish Gaelic gille, meaning “servant” or “attendant.” Dubh means “black” or “dark.”
2. Na daoine sìthe, pronounced: nuh duh-nya she-huh can be translated as “the peaceful people” or “good folk,” sometimes just sìthe, pronounced “she.” It’s important to note that fairies go by different names but always respectfully so.
3. If you would like to learn her song, see LearnGaelic, “Tha mi sgìth,” LearnGaelic.scot, https://learngaelic.scot/littlebylittle/songs/sgith/index.jsp.
4. In Scottish Gaelic, one does not ask, “Where are you from?” Instead, one asks, “Who are your people?”

AI generated images