A bodach (Scottish Gaelic pronunciation: [ˈpɔt̪əx]; plural bodaich "old man; rustic, churl, lout"; Old Irish botach) is a trickster or bogeyman figure in Gaelic folklore and mythology. The bodach "old man" is paired with the cailleach "hag, old woman" in Irish legend.

Many tales are told of the old hag, but fewer speak of her consort, the Bodach! His name means “the old man” or “the poor farmer”, and it may be that he was father in some manner to the banshees, for his appearance usually foretells death and disaster.

In Scottish folklore, Bodach is a malevolent ghost or spirit. It is often described as an old man with a wrinkled face, long hair, and a beard. Bodach is believed to be a shape-shifter and can take on different forms to trick and harm humans. According to legend, Bodach is associated with the Cailleach, an ancient goddess of winter and death.

Nov 5, 2020 · At Meall Daill, the figures of the Cailleach, the Bodach and their children lie deep in the hills and are accessible only on foot after a considerable hike. They have been known to archaeologists and folklore experts for some time.

Explore the haunting Bodach legend, a Scottish folklore specter, bringing omens and forewarnings in the night's shadow.

Sep 21, 2021 · Tigh nam Bodach is an ancient pagan shrine built to the Bodach and his wife, the Cailleach, in one of the remotest glens in Scotland’s heartland. Down through the centuries, it has been lovingly tended by the locals and kept largely hidden from the public eye.

Uncover the mystery of the Bodach, a dark omen of Scottish and Irish lore, slipping through keyholes and shadows. Read More!!

Oct 23, 2023 · Many might not remember hearing about Bodach growing up, but the terrifying character from Irish folklore is enough to send chills down your spine. TheToyZone trawled through books and articles to uncover the most unique examples of local boogeymen around the world ahead of Halloween.

Oct 26, 2024 · Bodach is a Scottish Gaelic term for a “churlish old man”, [2] which in its guise as a nursery bogey, comes down the chimney to kidnap naughty children. [3] Mythical creature in Scottish Gaelic and Irish folklore, invoked as a nursery bogey …

Jan 26, 2018 · The Bodach, spouse to the Cailleach, was clearly an influential figure. In earlier years, as he was replaced by more Christian thinking, he was relegated to a bogeyman or Boggart of sorts, who would snatch the unwary from safe hearth and home or a portent of death, as the Bodach Glas – the grey man.