Glashtyn

The Glashtyn is the Manx water horse, cousin to the Scottish Each-Uisge and the Kelpie, belonging to the Island's own distinct supernatural tradition. It haunts both the sea-inlets and the inland loughs of the Isle of Man, and its preferred form is a handsome grey horse — fine-looking, almost unnaturally so, appearing at dusk near water and apparently waiting to be ridden.

Those who mount it find themselves unable to dismount. The Glashtyn carries them into the water and drowns them, leaving nothing but the liver or lungs to wash ashore the next morning — the universal signature of the water-horse kill across the Gaelic world. Unlike the Kelpie, which is sometimes described as leaving wet bridle-marks or seaweed, the Glashtyn in Manx tradition is particularly associated with the sea-margin, and some accounts describe it emerging directly from the waves.

A variant form of the Glashtyn can take human shape — a dark young man with dripping hair who appears at dances and tries to lead young women away. The clue to his nature is the water that runs from his hair and clothes regardless of weather. Walter Gill collected the strongest Glashtyn traditions in A Manx Scrapbook (1929).