A kelpie (also kelpy; Scots, possibly too Scottish Gaelic colpach) is a supernatural water spirit that appears in British, especially Scottish folk belief. It is not to be confused with the Each Uisge (water horse), which is said to live on Scotland's sea coasts and in the inland holes. The kelpie inhabits the flowing waters of the highlands. He appears in the shape of a large horse, sometimes with a fish tail. It is found at deep rivers and promises to carry hikers who want to cross the river. But once the hiker is on the back of the kelpie, the kelpie pulls him into the deep and eats him. If one throws a veil over the head of a kelpie or if someone succeeds in unraveling it, it must be at its service.