Trows are fascinating creatures found only in the folklore of the Orkney and Shetland islands.  But, describing them accurately is difficult because sources are not clear. Folklorists have long insisted that the word “trow” is a corruption of “troll,” and that Orkney’s Trows descend from their Viking ancestors’ stories of Trolls.  

Sigurd Towrie, author of the comprehensive website covering all things Orkney, disagrees with this assessment.  He believes there may be a connection with a different creature from Norse mythology, the Draugr.  This connection stems from both creatures’ affiliation with burial mounds.  

Scotland is a nation rich in folkloric tradition. Both the highlands and the lowlands preserved distinct cultural folk tradition with influences from Gaelic, Anglo-Saxon, and Norse influences. These cultures, along with the unique landscape and climate of this hilly northern country, fused to give Scottish folklore a unique flavor. Stories of ghosts and spirits are one common feature of Scottish lore.