The Picts and their Brochs
Hellyer, are places that from time immemorial have been associated in the public mind with trows or hillfolk. The names Fivla and Tivla appear to have been favourite appellations given to trows of the feminine gender, and are often met with in fairy legends (see Jacobsen’s “Shetland Dialect,” p. 69). The word fivla is used in Unst in designating a light fall of snow. Just as much as can give to the ground a wierd, silver-grey appearance is called a “fivla o’ snaa.” Henk is applied to the movements of trolls, particularly in a fairy dance. Old people spoke of having seen numbers of puny beings dancing round a fairy knowe. These were spoken of as a “scrae o’ henkies.” A fairy wife who failed to obtain a partner in a dance was heard to express herself thus:
“‘Hey!’ co (quoth) Cuttie; an ‘ho!’ co Cuttie;
‘An’ wha ’ill dance wi’ me?’ co Cuttie.
Shö luked aboot an’ saw naebody;
‘Sae I’ll henk awa mesel’,’ co Cuttie.”
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