The King of the Otters

Marcia looks at the otter in Scottish folklore for World Otter Day

In honour of World Otter Day 28th May 2025 lets talk about one of the worlds rarest and deadliest otters, the Dòbhar-chù. Pronounced do-war coo this is a rare beast of Irish and Scottish folklore, described as a large black otter 7 feet long with a hide impenetrable to human tools.

Photo by Click and Learn Photography on Unsplash

It’s a ferocious man eater with a bite strong enough to break rocks, and only one weak point on it’s pelt, the small white spot on it’s chin. Who says there’s nothing to be afraid of when visiting Scotland eh…?

It’s also called Rìgh nan Dòbhran, the King of the Otters, as it is always accompanied by seven (regular sized) otters and is the king of all their kind. This fierce member of our Scottish fauna is highly migratory, but will likely be found around our many lochs and lochans, so beware in particular on the West coast when you go near the water.

If you are lucky (or unlucky) enough to encounter the king of otters remember to keep your distance, it has an insatiable taste for human flesh and is highly aggressive. Some say this is fair considering the plight of it’s subjects!

However, the story goes that if you manage to kill him, by hitting him in his weak spot, you can take his pelt as a prize. And a prize it is indeed! Just one inch is said to save bullets from hitting and ships from sinking! It was described by Alasdair Alpin MacGregor below.

“It was firmly believed that a fragment of the skin retained in the house not only protected both the house and its inhabitants from misfortune, but also soldiers who, in going off to the wars, were in danger from arrow, sword, or bullet. Tradition has it that many who followed Charlie to Culloden carried with them a tiny piece of the king otter's skin, and that this is how they escaped injury or death when swords were clashing everywhere around them, and bullets falling upon them as thickly as hailstones in time of storm” From the Peat-fire flame Alasdair Alpin MacGregor

But, beware this protection comes with a price. It is said that the killing of a King otter predicts the imminent death of a human or dog, and if you miss his white spot, there will be fatal consequences for you too.

Sadly there are not enough king otters left to protect our smaller furry friends, so on this World Otter Day it is up to us to spread the word of their plight and protect them from modern dangers, such as pollution and roads.

To learn more about otters and how you can help visit the International Otter Survival Funds Website:

Marcia O'Hara is High Life Highland's dedicated Countryside Ranger for Easter Ross and South East Sutherland. She infuses her love for nature into every aspect of her work, from community clean-ups to guided events and workshops. With an academic foundation in Environmental Biology, Marcia excels in bringing fresh perspectives to her sessions, making science come alive in community learning. Known for her ability to engage and inspire, Marcia has a special interest in woodland botanics, including fungi, lichen, and trees. Her unique approach and deep connection to nature have made her an invaluable asset in preserving the natural beauty of the region she covers.