Nuggles

Nuggles are a specific fairy found exclusively in the folklore of the Shetland Isles, they are cousins of the more known Kelpies and in some studies are also considered distant relations to the Orkney water-demon known as the Nuckelavee.

Like Kelpies the Nuggles are shape-shifting equine spirits associated with water, they can take the form of a well-fed Shetland Pony or a human but are exclusively male in all forms - they are also distinguished from their cousins by having unusual tails that are said to resemble wheels, due to this Nuggles often tried to hide their tails or only came out during the night or in other periods when vision would be obscured.

Not malevolent like the Nuckelavee and slightly less malicious than the Kelpies the Nuggles were fond of pranks but did employ mercy, though like all water horse spirits they would attempt to drown any unfortunate individual who tried to ride them - according to local lore only the magical beings known as Finns could ride a Nuggle without being dragged off to such a fate.

Nuggles were prone to mischief but seen as deceitful and not very brave, unlike many fairies they were not seen as terribly spiteful and tended to enjoy scaring islanders rather than outright attacking them (a trait shared with another Shetland fairy known as the Trow).