Tradition / Region: Scottish Mythology, Irish Mythology
Alternative names: Cat Sì, Cait-shìth
Category: Cat
The Myth
The Cat-sìth is a mysterious fairy cat said to haunt the Scottish Highlands. It appears as a large black cat with a single white patch on its chest. Though it usually moves like an ordinary cat, it is said to walk on its hind legs when no humans are watching. When confronted, it arches its back and raises its fur to appear even larger and more intimidating.
The Cat-sìth was greatly feared for its connection to death. It was believed to steal the souls of the newly deceased before they could pass into the land of the dead. To prevent this, families held a vigil over the body until burial, keeping watch through the night with music, games, dancing, and other distractions to keep the Cat-sìth away. Fires were avoided near the corpse, as the creature was believed to be drawn to warmth.
At Samhain, people left saucers of milk outside as offerings to the Cat-sìth. A household that honored the fairy cat would receive good fortune during the coming year, while those who neglected the offering risked having the milk of their cows mysteriously dry up.
Some traditions claim that the Cat-sìth was not a fairy at all, but a witch capable of transforming into a cat nine times. After using this power for the ninth and final time, the witch could never become human again and remained forever trapped in the form of the Cat-sìth.
Sources
“Cat-sìth.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat-s%C3%ACth