Scottish Shapeshifting

Scottish mythology features shapeshifters and the ability allow's the various creature to trick, deceive, hunt, and kill humans. Tales are abound about the Selkie as a seal that can remove its skin to make contact with humans for only a short amount of time before they must return to the sea. Such stories surrounding these creatures are usually romantic tragedies. Clan MacColdrum of Uist foundation myths include of a union between the founder of the clan and a shapeshifting seal woman Selkie. While other tales include Kelpies who emerge from lochs and rivers to ensnare and kill unweary travellers in the disguise of a horse or woman. While other tales include Tam Lin, a man captured by the Queen of the Fairies who is changed into all manner of beasts if rescued. He was finally turned into a burning coal and thrown him into a well, whereupon he reappeared in his human form. The motif of capturing a person by holding him through all forms of transformation is a common thread in folktales. While modern Scottish literature as in the Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde explores human transformation and the moral implications of changing ones shape.

The Kelpie by Herbert James Draper: transformed into a human.

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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shapeshifting

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Shapeshifting | Science fiction themes | Fantasy tropes