---
title: Brownies
description: Spirits of Scottish tradition.
author:
  name: Graciela Paula Caldeiro
  url: http://graciela-caldeiro.idoneos.com
canonical: https://mitosyleyendas.idoneos.com/en/bestiario_mitologico/brownies/
source: en/bestiario_mitologico/brownies/index.md
---

<h2 id="brownies">Brownies</h2>

They belong to Scottish tradition. They are small, friendly and helpful. Their name comes from their brown colour, and it is said that they visit farms to help humans with domestic tasks while they sleep.

If they are treated well, brownies reward their benefactors by protecting their crops and animals. They can even milk cows and goats or churn butter. But if they feel offended, they punish the one who has wronged them.

Brownies like to be left fresh cream or honey cakes, beer, and bread. The offerings are left in places away from the house so that they can take them at night without being seen. They then return to their homes, usually in the hollows of trees.

These Scottish **sprites** are not usually visible to humans. On the rare occasions when they allow themselves to be seen, they reveal wrinkled faces with white beards and moustaches, dressed in a medieval style: brown leggings, ruffled collars, pointed caps, and even leather aprons like those worn by blacksmiths of old.