Wonder tuft

The Tom an ionghnaidh (Scottish Gaelic for Wonder Tuft) was the name given to a clump of wheat left uncut in a field, for ceremonial reasons. In some parts of the north of Scotland, the name “hedgehog” was given to a mysterious animal, which when met with amongst the corn had only the appearance of a grey stone, but could change its shape. When thus met, a quantity of the corn was left standing around it, and only the ears of grain cut. Such a clump has been seen by AF, which as few knew, almost everyone who saw it, wondered why it was there.

References

• This article incorporates text from "Dwelly's [Scottish] Gaelic Dictionary" (1911). (Tom an ionghnaidh)