Tradition: Scottish Mythology
Alternative Names: Ly-erg
Category: Fairy
The Myth
The Ly Erg is a dangerous fairy of Scottish folklore, particularly associated with the Glenmore Forest. It appears dressed as a soldier and can scarcely be distinguished from an ordinary human warrior, except for its right hand, which is permanently red as though stained with the blood of its victims. While wandering through the countryside, the Ly Erg approaches bodies of water and waits for travelers to pass.
When someone comes near, the creature raises its red right hand and challenges them to single combat. The challenge is impossible to survive: anyone who accepts and fights the Ly Erg will die within a fortnight, regardless of whether they defeat the fairy or are defeated themselves. The red hand is therefore a warning of the fate awaiting anyone who accepts its challenge.
One tale tells of three brothers who encountered the Ly Erg and chose to fight it. All three engaged the supernatural warrior in combat, and each died immediately after the encounter. The Ly Erg consequently became a terrifying figure of the Scottish wilderness, appearing like an ordinary soldier until its blood-red hand reveals the supernatural danger behind its challenge.
Sources
“Ly Erg.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 5, 2026.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ly_Erg