Scottish myths: Wulver the kindhearted Shetland werewolf

NOT fitting in with the stereotypical image of a terrifying werewolf, the Scottish Wulver was a kindhearted and generous soul, known to help some of the most unfortunate people in the country.

HAILING from the Shetland Islands, to the north of the Scottish mainland, the Wulver took the form of a man with a wolf’s head.

Taking pity on the needy by leaving fish on the windowsills of poorer families, the Wulver was spotted on a regular basis around Shetland up to the start of the 20th century.

Covered in a layer of thick brown hair, unlike the actual Werewolf, the Wulver was never human in the first place.

In fact, the ancient Celts believed that the Wulver actually evolved from wolves - it was said to be symbolic of the in-between stage of man and wolf.

Although there isn’t much official documentation on the elusive creature - the last reported sighting being in the early twentieth century, the Wulver was said to live alone in a cave on Shetland and enjoyed the peaceful life.

Unlike other werewolves - often painted as ferocious and daring - the Scottish Wulver was considered kind and often helped lost travellers, by guiding them to nearby towns and villages.

Families that were poor and starving might find that the Wulver had left a supply of fish on their windowsill thanks to his benevolent side.

The same kindness was shown to households with a sick family member, and the Wulver was seen sitting mournfully outside the home of a terminally ill person.

The Wulver was frequently spotted out fishing for its daily meal from a rock dubbed, ‘The Wulver’s Stane’ and as long as he was left on his own, a Wulver showed no aggression.

Although some accounts say the Wulver is an immortal spirit, none have been reported for more than 100 years.

Some modern day theories say that a Wulver could have been suffering from Hypertrichosis, a condition in which the entire body is covered in hair, or as someone suffering from the psychological condition, Lycanthropy, which makes them believe they are a wolf, or other animal.

But whether or not they really did exist, superstitions attached to Wulvers remain.

So if you spot a werewolf on your property, you might want to give them a chance before chasing them away.

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