Known as the “Old Woman” or “Divine Hag,” the Cailleach is a complex and sometimes fearsome figure, embodying both creation and destruction.

Key Aspects of the Cailleach:

• Goddess of Winter: The Cailleach is most famously associated with winter. As the bringer of cold and snow, she is said to rule the darker half of the year, from Samhain (November 1) to Beltane (May 1). When she strikes the ground with her staff, frost and ice spread across the land.
• Shaper of the Landscape: According to legend, the Cailleach is a creator goddess who formed much of Scotland’s rugged landscape. Many mountains and lochs are believed to have been shaped by her. For instance, she is said to have built the Scottish mountains by dropping rocks from her apron, and she created Loch Awe in Argyll by forgetting to cap a well, which overflowed.
• Symbol of Age and Wisdom: As an old woman, the Cailleach represents age, wisdom, and the cyclical nature of life. She is often depicted as a tall, fearsome figure with blue skin, white hair, and the appearance of a crone. However, her role is not solely negative—she is a necessary force that balances life and death, and winter’s harshness gives way to renewal in spring.
• The Cailleach and Brigid: In some traditions, the Cailleach is linked to Brigid, a goddess of spring, fertility, and healing. Some myths suggest that the Cailleach transforms into Brigid, or gives way to her, at the start of spring, symbolizing the changing seasons. This highlights her role in the natural cycle of death and rebirth.
• Guardianship of Animals and Nature: The Cailleach is also associated with animals, particularly deer and wolves. She is believed to be their protector and to have control over the natural world, especially during the harsh winter months. Her role as a guardian of nature emphasizes her deep connection to the land and the wild.

Myths and Legends:

• Ben Nevis and the Cailleach: One of the most famous stories connected to the Cailleach is that she is responsible for shaping Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest mountain. She is said to have used her staff to sculpt the landscape, forming this towering peak.
• The Washing of the Plaid: Another myth involves the Cailleach washing her great plaid (cloak) in the Corryvreckan whirlpool off the coast of Scotland. When she is done, the land becomes white with snow, signalling the arrival of winter.

The Cailleach in Modern Culture:

• Folklore and Festivals: The Cailleach continues to be a significant figure in Scottish folklore, with various stories told about her influence over the weather and seasons. In some parts of Scotland, there are still rituals and festivals that honour her, particularly around Samhain and the start of winter.
• Representation in Art and Literature: The Cailleach has inspired numerous artistic representations, from poetry to visual arts, where she is portrayed as the embodiment of the wild, untamed aspects of nature. She is also increasingly recognized in modern pagan and neopagan traditions as a goddess of nature and cycles.

The Cailleach represents the raw power of nature and the inevitability of change, both feared and revered for her dominion over the forces of life and death. Her enduring presence in Scottish myth reflects the country’s deep connection to the land and the changing seasons.