The Scottish Folklore Podcast

As supernatural Scottish creatures go, The Shellycoat is one of the lesser known of the bunch, but don’t let this bothersome Bogle fool you, for although often cited as harmless, as we’ll find out in this episode, The Shellycoat is anything but! In this episode Jenny explores the lore of The Shellycoat and tells two tales of Shellycoats, one from The Borders and one from Leith in Edinburgh. ...

Jenny is back with Part 2 of Deirdire of the Sorrows, an ancient Gaelic tale that has been told in both Ireland and Scotland for countless years. This half sees Deirdire, Naoise, and his two brothers living as fugitives in Scotland. But all good things must come to an end, and all prophecies must be fulfilled… In Ireland, the story of Deirdre is part of the Ulster Cycle of mythology, but the versi...

This is an ancient Gaelic tale that has been told in both Ireland and Scotland for countless years. In Ireland, the story of Deirdre is part of the Ulster Cycle of mythology, but the version that I am telling comes from a fellow named John Macneil, who told it from his home on the Isle of Barra in 1867. The story of Deirdire was told in Gaelic and taken down by Alexander Carmichael, who later tran...

The man, the myth, the legend. Robert the Bruce is one of Scotland’s most iconic figures, and for good reason too. As King, he led Scotland to a monumental victory against the English at The Battle of Bannockburn, paving the way for independence.  From itsy-bitsy spiders to superhuman feats of endurance and skill, the stories that survive about Bruce paint a picture of a tenacious hero. But b...

Join Jenny as she dives into the folklore behind Glasgow’s rather odd coat of arms and its remarkable patron saint, St. Mungo. Although a religious figure, the stories of St. Mungo and his mother, St. Thenew, are steeped in folklore, mythology, and magical happenings - much of which is handily condensed into this little rhyme: The tree that never grew,  The bird that never flew,  The fis...

Scottish dragons aren’t quite like the dragons found in the rest of the world, they don’t breath fire, can’t fly, and don’t even have any limbs, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous or terrifying! (Ok well, maybe a tad). In this episode Jenny tells two tales of dragons found in Scotland, the first is of Martin’s Stane just north of Dundee, and the second is called Eilean Fraoch, which is...

Fancy kissing a frog? How about marrying one? The Frog Prince is a common theme found in folk tales throughout Europe, and ‘The Well at the World’s End’ is Scotland’s take on this age-old classic. Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Support Jenny as she makes the show by joining the Patreon View the Interactive Map of Folklore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

Lone standing stones are scattered all over the Scottish landscape, and although we will unfortunately never know why they were originally raised or what their meanings were, in this vacuum of understanding, local folklore arises and new stories are wrapped around these ancient stones. Listen in to hear the lore swirling around Granny Kempock in Gourock, The Brahan seer’s links to the Clach an t-S...

There’s no escaping the wind in Scotland, especially if you live on an island or high up in the mountains. In this episode Jenny tells three tales all about the wind that take place in these places. The first two, The Boy Who Climbed The Snap and How a witch saved the Papa Stour come from Shetland and have both wind and witches, while the third, The Wind and the Dying Woman , comes from Angus and...

The majestic unicorn’s reputation has been somewhat sparkle-ified over the last few decades, but this hasn’t always been the case! There was once a time when the unicorn symbolised far more than a whimsical horse with a horn, and in this episode we find out how it came to be, what it truly represents, and why it’s the perfect pick for Scotland’s national animal. So listen in and enjoy as Jenny tel...

An incredible number of Scottish Castles are haunted by the ghost of a Green Lady. These spooky spectres of women dressed in green robes linger on long after death in the tower rooms, gloomy passageways, and great halls of these castles. But who were these women when alive, and what has tied their souls to this earthly plane for all eternity? In this episode Jenny tells the stories of four Green L...

Pirates were a very real threat to the many communities that lived on the Scottish islands and coastlines, and so naturally there are plenty of folktales about them! In this episode Jenny tells three of these tales: The Drowned Bells of the Abbey, Deaf John, and the tale of Mac Ean Yeer. Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive map Support Jenny...

This is a tale of broken promises, broken hearts, bitter curses, and a whole lot of harvesting. It comes from the south end of the Isle of Mull, and will have you questioning whether spilling the tea is worth it in the long run! Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive map of folklore Support Jenny as she makes the show by joining the Patreon Hos...

Storytelling was at the heart of Traveller life, and this traditional Traveller tale was a favourite of Duncan Williamson, a masterful storyteller whose voice has kept countless old stories alive. And no doubt, once you hear it too, you’ll understand why. Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive map Support Jenny as she makes the show by joining...

Changelings are some of Scotland’s most unsettling folklore, for what could be more disturbing than an innocent bairn being stolen by a malicious fairy and a changeling, a wrinkled and wailing fairy baby, left in its place. In this episode Jenny explores the lore surrounding these strange replacements for stolen bairns, and tells two tales of changelings: A Fairy Changeling, and Wee Johnny in the...

In this episode, Jenny explores the origin stories of three families that come from Braemar in the Cairngorms: the Wolf McDonalds, the McHardys, and the Farquharsons These tales, which are of both the Cairngorms and the whole world alike, are packed with wolves, monsters, kings, elopements, fairies and a terrible French accent, so saddle up and enjoy the ride! Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast...

This terrific Traveller tale follows a young lass named Peggy as a mysterious stranger tries to woo her by the banks of Bennachie Burn, and while Peggy is already betrothed to a long-legged cattle herd named Sammy Smith, their love will soon be given a run for its money! Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive map Support Jenny as she makes the...

The Devil can be found in every nook and cranny of Scotland and in this episode Jenny crawls into these nooks and squeezes through the crannies in search of the stories that ‘Ol Sandy has left behind.  From The Devil’s Pulpit and The Whangie north of Glasgow to out past Arbroath where the Devil’s head and eyes haunt the ragged coastline, this is a journey of terrifying tales, and not quite so...

In this episode Jenny tells the classic Scottish folk tale of Rashiecoat. This is Scotland’s version of Cinderella, and while there are similarities, it is no Disney fairytale!  Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive Episode Map and Story Map Support Jenny as she makes the show by joining the Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

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 o...

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.  Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive map Sup...

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 a...

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 Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive map Support Jenny as she makes the show by joining the Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

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...

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! Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website...