Fairy Legends and Traditions by Thomas Crofton Croker [1825]

THE ELVES IN SCOTLAND. 15
amusements.
They rarely live together in pairs,
but wander about in companies ; and each has a
distinct dwelling or place of abode, where they all
assemble according to circumstances, and which is
called Tomhan, or Shian. These dwellings are
generally in the caves and precipices of wild and
lonesome places ; they are built of stone, in the
form of irregular towers, and so strong and durable
as to resemble pieces of rock, or mounds of earth.
The doors, windows, and chimneys are so skilfully
concealed,
that the naked eye cannot see them in
the day-time, but in the night they are discovered
by the bright light which issues from them.
In
Perthshire they inhabit round and verdant hills,
on which they dance by the light
of the moon.
Not far from Lochcon is a place called Coirshian,
to which they are particularly attached; near it
are conical elevations, especially one above Lake
Katrine, which many persons are afraid to pass
after sun-set. People sometimes discover traces
of them in circles, which are sometimes yellow
and trodden down, sometimes of a dark green
colour : in these it is dangerous to sleep or to be
found after sun-set.
Joy and mirth reign in such
assemblies of the fairies ;
for they are particularly
fond of dancing, and it is one of their chief occupations.
The most delightful music accompanies
them. But, in spite of all this gaiety, the fairies