Black Cat Day: Luck, Legend and Loyal Companions
As someone with their own black cat, this is a day I can appreciate. Black cats have always divided opinion. Some people see bad luck, while others see a sleek and loving companion. My grandmother taught me they were only bad luck if they crossed you from left to right. A bit of a challenge if they live in your house!
Scotland’s folklore welcomes the black cat as a sign of good fortune, and its Highland legends give the creature an air of magic. If a strange black cat turns up at your home, Scottish folklore says it signals prosperity. So the next time a stray appears on your doorstep, welcome it warmly. After all, it may bring good luck.
This year, National Black Cat Day falls on Wednesday 27 October 2026. It gives us the perfect excuse to explore the stories, the science and the real cats still waiting for homes.
Why We Celebrate Black Cat Day
The charity Cats Protection launched National Black Cat Day in 2011. The charity found that black cats in its care took, on average, a week longer to find a home than cats of other colours. Staff wanted to change that, so they created a day to celebrate these glossy felines. Since then, the campaign has grown across the UK. You can find more on the Cats Protection black cat page.
Meet the Cat Sìth
Scotland also has a far more mysterious black cat. The Cat Sìth appears in Highland folklore, and it resembles a large black cat with a white spot on its chest. Storytellers described it as a fairy creature. Some tales even made it a witch in disguise. In those stories, a witch could take cat form nine times, then stay a cat for life. Some say this idea helped create the saying that cats have nine lives.
The Cat Sìth also features in Samhain customs. Families left out a saucer of milk, hoping the cat would bless their home for the coming year. You can read more on Folklore Scotland. Perhaps you could try the tradition this Halloween.
Why Black Cats Need Our Help
Despite their charm, black cats still struggle to find homes. Cats Protection once reported that black and black-and-white cats take around 13 per cent longer to rehome than their more colourful counterparts. Superstition plays a part, and so do photographs. Dark fur can look dull on a screen, even though it shines in real life. In person, a black cat often looks sleek and striking.
Black cats also make wonderful pets. Most have a friendly nature and often seek cuddles from their favourite people. Their eyes often glow gold or copper against the dark coat. Furthermore, they suit almost any home, from city flats to country cottages.
Black cats have walked through Scottish stories for centuries. They have played the fairy, the witch and the lucky visitor. Today, they simply want a warm home and a soft lap. This Black Cat Day, celebrate the legends, then help a real cat write a happier ending.
Resources
Read more about Scottish folklore or learn more about history using our Library catalogue or why not check out more posts here on our blog.
By Juliet Kinsey (photo by author)
