The Orcadian Mester Stoorworm is a prime example of the Scandinavian dragon in Britain. There are two main types of dragon in these islands: the heraldic dragon, winged and usually fire-breathing, and the worm, for which one generally supposes a Scandinavian origin, which is generally huge, often wingless and most commonly a sea monster. These worms are not fire-breathing, but have a poisonous breath. The Mester Stoorworm fulfilled all these qualifications. Traill Dennison, whose manuscript is reproduced in Scottish Fairy and Folk Tales, gives several descriptions of the creature.

Now you must know [he says] that this was the largest, the first, and the father of all the Stoorworms. Therefore was he well named the Mester Stoorworm. With his venomous breath he could kill every living creature on which it fell, and could wither up everything that grew.