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| Miniature fairy buildings spread magic on Isle of Man | Miniature fairy buildings spread magic on Isle of Man |
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| An art project has brought the Isle of Man's fairy folklore to life by hiding miniature buildings around the island. | An art project has brought the Isle of Man's fairy folklore to life by hiding miniature buildings around the island. |
| The delicately designed fortresses and palaces have popped up in glens, beaches and on hillsides. | The delicately designed fortresses and palaces have popped up in glens, beaches and on hillsides. |
| The island is synonymous with fairy tales, with the earliest reference to the mythical beings recorded in George Waldron's Manx notebook in 1731. | The island is synonymous with fairy tales, with the earliest reference to the mythical beings recorded in George Waldron's Manx notebook in 1731. |
| In a local tradition, Manx residents even wave to the "little people" when crossing Fairy Bridge, a much-visited landmark. | In a local tradition, Manx residents even wave to the "little people" when crossing Fairy Bridge, a much-visited landmark. |
| In recent weeks islanders have been captivated by the tiny fairy abodes, which have been created by Swedish art collective Anonymouse MMX. | In recent weeks islanders have been captivated by the tiny fairy abodes, which have been created by Swedish art collective Anonymouse MMX. |
| The group is known for leaving miniature creations around the world, including houses for mice, "the world's smallest bookstore" and a tiny amusement park. | The group is known for leaving miniature creations around the world, including houses for mice, "the world's smallest bookstore" and a tiny amusement park. |
| One resident, Sue Cook, described it as a "lovely idea", while Jo Fulton said they "added to the magic of our island". | One resident, Sue Cook, described it as a "lovely idea", while Jo Fulton said they "added to the magic of our island". |
| The group's Yasha Mousekewitz said they had learned about Manx fairy folklore through fellow miniature enthusiasts in the UK. | The group's Yasha Mousekewitz said they had learned about Manx fairy folklore through fellow miniature enthusiasts in the UK. |
| She said: "When we first visited we were very pleasantly surprised to see fairies still exist in the minds of people here. | She said: "When we first visited we were very pleasantly surprised to see fairies still exist in the minds of people here. |
| "The Swedish version of Santa is essentially a gnome, so as with the mice, there's this notion that small creatures exist in a world parallel to ours." | "The Swedish version of Santa is essentially a gnome, so as with the mice, there's this notion that small creatures exist in a world parallel to ours." |
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| The enchanting pieces are made from a range of materials including of stone, wood, copper, antique glass and even paper clips. | The enchanting pieces are made from a range of materials including of stone, wood, copper, antique glass and even paper clips. |
| Standing about 30cm (12in) tall, they were designed and built in Malmo, Sweden, before being transported to the island. | Standing about 30cm (12in) tall, they were designed and built in Malmo, Sweden, before being transported to the island. |
| Ms Mousekewitz said each piece can take up to a month to complete. | Ms Mousekewitz said each piece can take up to a month to complete. |
| "Much of our work is trying to make sure they fit organically into the scenery," she said. | "Much of our work is trying to make sure they fit organically into the scenery," she said. |
| "The idea to create tiny houses for mice has been something we've been working on for a few years now, and we felt that our mice and the fairies could exist in the same world. | "The idea to create tiny houses for mice has been something we've been working on for a few years now, and we felt that our mice and the fairies could exist in the same world. |
| "We like to spread a bit of every day magic." | "We like to spread a bit of every day magic." |
| Fairy folklore | Fairy folklore |
| James Franklin, of Manx heritage organisation Culture Vannin | James Franklin, of Manx heritage organisation Culture Vannin |
| Fairies have been at the heart of stories and legends for generations, so it is wonderful to be reminded of them in the landscape today. | Fairies have been at the heart of stories and legends for generations, so it is wonderful to be reminded of them in the landscape today. |
| It's not known precisely how the legend took hold, but the earliest reference to fairies on the island is recorded in George Waldron's Manx notebook, published in 1731. | It's not known precisely how the legend took hold, but the earliest reference to fairies on the island is recorded in George Waldron's Manx notebook, published in 1731. |
| It was once said that stories of the little people could be found in every creek or cranny on the island, so widespread was the belief. | It was once said that stories of the little people could be found in every creek or cranny on the island, so widespread was the belief. |
| Their importance has permeated all aspects of Manx life, from the cradle to the grave. | Their importance has permeated all aspects of Manx life, from the cradle to the grave. |
| Each of the unique fairy houses has been fully furnished. | Each of the unique fairy houses has been fully furnished. |