Of the Skeklers

[smokingboot]

'I saw the kitchen full of beings whose appearance, being so unearthly, shook the gravity of my muscles, and forced the cold sweat to ooze out of every pore in my body There they stood like as many statues, one of whom was far above the rest and of gigantic dimensions. Eyes, mouths, or nose had they none; nor the least trace of a countenance. They kept up an incessant grunt, grunt, grunt, or a noise partly resembling swine and turkey cocks... Tney were all veiled and their head-dresses or caps were about eighteen inches in height and made from straw twisted backwards and downwards, with bunches or ribbons of every colour raying from the points of the cones. The spirits, for such they appeared to be, had long staves, with which they kept rapping on the floor. Between them and the door stood one as black as 'Horni;' but more resembling a human being than any of the others. His head dress was a South-wester and he had a keshi on his back. ... Immediately upon our entering the kitchen they formed themselves into pairs and commenced hobbling and dancing. When asked what they wanted, the keshie was presented and in it was a piece of mutton and other eatables. Their chieftain, or leader, muttered in a disguised and guttural tone of voice, that they would take anything we chose to give them. My landlady gave them some mutton and oatcakes with which they appeared highly elated, and returned thanks with bows and curtseys; but still kept up the incessant grunting. Before leaving the house, however, they inquired of me, in the same guttural tone of voice, if they should go to the Minister's. "Certainly," said I, "be sure you go there and give him a specimen of your dancing; for the minster is a very liberal gentleman and will, I doubt not, fill your keshie."'
R. Menzies Ferguson Reminiscences of Rambles in the Far North, 1884

Reading this, it's hard to avoid visions of some 19th century version of Mandy. I am sure the Minister was very grateful for the recommendation, delighted to have these characters gallumphing around his kitchen, especially if it was small. The open fire and straw outfits doubtless added an extra frisson. Apparently you couldn't really say no to the Skeklers; revenge pranks included such japes as removing your front gates and setting fire to them.