The Scottish Folklore Podcast - The Scottish Folklore Podcast

Latest Episodes:

14. Through the Mist Feb 16, 2025

Show notes

In Scottish folklore mist swirls in the liminal space between this world and the parallel Otherworld, where fairies, spirits, and monsters exist just beyond our boundaries of perception. But when the mist descends, for better or worse, we humans can pass through the veil and into the otherworld.

In this episode Jenny tells two eerie tales of those who passed through the mist, and what they found on the other side…

The first is called ‘Baking in Creag Hàstain’ and comes from Balemore on the island of North Uist.

The second is called ‘The Blue Cap’ and comes from Kintyre.

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13. Thieves: Tales of Cunning and Curses Feb 09, 2025

Show notes

Thieves play many roles in Scottish folklore, and while for the most part they are the worst of the worst, this isn’t always the case!

In this episode Jenny tells the tales of two thieves, firstly, ‘The Troublesome Son’, from Glenluce in the Borders, and secondly, ‘An Gille Dubh’ from Argyll.

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12. Fin Folk: Tall, Dark, and Dangerous Feb 02, 2025

Show notes

The Fin Folk are a strange race of sea-people that live off the coasts of Orkney and Shetland. They are tall, dark, mysterious… and covered in big flappy fins. In this episode Jenny explores how the Fin Folk live, the vanishing island they call home, and their (very much unreciprocated) desire to marry humans.

She also tells the tale of ‘The Farmer of Evie’, a traditional Orcadian folktale about how the mysterious isle of Eynhallow came to rest between Evie and Rousay.

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11. To a Mouse: Superstitions and Folklore Surrounding Mice Jan 26, 2025

Show notes

Inspired by Robert Burns’ Poem ‘To a Mouse’ Jenny dives into the superstitions and folklore surrounding mice in Scotland.

Read ‘To a Mouse’ here

Read ‘Drumming Tunes’, an article on Mice and Rat Satires here

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10. Tip to Toe: Stories from Scotland’s Farthest Reaches Jan 19, 2025

Show notes

Travel the length of Scotland with these folk tales from the very tippy-toppy of the country to the very tippy-toey.

In the far north, Jenny tells the tale of two giants on Unst and how the tiny island of Out Stack, the most northerly point in all of Scotland, came to be.

And in the far south, on The Mull of Galloway, a coven of witches don’t realise their own power at Carrickcarlin point, and the last of the Picts defend the secret of Heather Ale.

Muckle Flugga and Me - Part 1

Muckle Flugga and Me - Part 2

The Mull of Galloway, Scotland's most Southern Coast - SeaKayakPhoto Blog

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9. Folk Tales from the Forest Jan 12, 2025

Show notes

The forests of Scotland are filled with folklore and in this episode Jenny tells two tales from amongst the trees. The first is of the lonesome Ghillie Dhu, a gentle forest fairy and master of disguise. The second story is called The Lass who Couldn’t be Frightened, and funnily enough, is about a lass that couldn’t be frightened!

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8. Kelpies & Water Horses Jan 05, 2025

Show notes

Kelpies are some of the most dangerous creatures in all of Scottish folklore, and in this episode Jenny tells two tales that show just how malevolent they can be. The first, Tarbh na Leòid, is about a handsome and cunning Water Horse on Heisker, also known as the Monach Islands. The second, The Bride and the Water Kelpie, tells the tale of a Kelpie taking revenge upon a young lass.

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7. Wee Ghosties Dec 29, 2024

Show notes

Scotland is steeped in ghost stories, and in this episode Jenny tells two of these tales, The Searching Woman of Lewis and The Weeping Lass at the Dancing Place. Both have very sad women, but the ghosts could not be more different, be sure to listen with the lights on!

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6. Scottish Yuletide & Hogmanay Traditions Dec 22, 2024

Show notes

Join Jenny as she explores some of the many Yuletide and Hogmanay traditions, customs, rituals, and rites that have been practised in Scotland over the millennia. From ancient burial cairns being aligned with the setting winter solstice sun, to different types of divination, cow-hides and clubs, and of course, first-footing, these traditions are part of the celebration of the darkest days of the year, and the rebirth into a new cycle of life.

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5. The Land of Green Mountains - Part 2 Dec 15, 2024

Show notes

The epic adventure continues in this episode as Ian must now serve his new master, the King of The Land of Green Mountains, and fulfil his increasingly outrageous demands else he be put to death!

This episode is part two of The Land of Green Mountains, listen to part one before diving into this!

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