Stories of Scotland

Annie and Jenny return to their beloved bogs to have a look at human bodies that have been buried and preserved in peat. From Bronze Age mummies, to the Gunnister Man’s unique knitted garments, we examine the human remains and artefacts that have been excavated from bogs. We tell the tragic history of Betty Corrigall, a young woman buried on the boundary between two parishes.

Thanks to Orkney Archives and the National Museum of Scotland for answering some strange questions about bog bodies.

Come and see Annie’s play! The Wound, the Rag and the In-Between follows a Highland journalist as she unravels a Victorian death. She exposes secrets that had been buried for generations. By the clootie tree, in a place meant for recovery and wellbeing, tragic forces are looming, ever-present. Book online at:https://eden-court.co.uk/event/the-wound-the-rag-and-the-in-between  

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon.www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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From the Fortress of Shadows just off the Isle of Skye, to the Palace of Dreams in Arthurian legends, Jenny and Annie visit the homes of warrior women. 

Jenny begins with folklore and mythology of Sgàthach, sometimes called the Shadow, or the Striker of Fear, and we learn how she was the greatest teacher of warriors in all the world. 

Next, Annie takes us to a strange Arthurian story about a woman of King Arthur’s dreams and how one of the Knights of the Round Table must make an incredible journey to find her. 

Between the swooshing weapons of these two warrior women, we look at the strength, strategy and second sight of these incredible legends. Borrowing from the Ulster Cycle of the Irish heroic sagas, and the Scottish Gaelic song Am Bròn Binn, from Dunscaith Castle to the halls of the King of Scotland, these stories still inspire wonder and awe to this day. We hope you enjoy!

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon.www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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This episode is brought to you by Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Annie and Jenny learn about the importance of rewilding, not just from the perspective of the environment, but also for communities. We meet dedicated staff Cait and Caoimhe at Dundreggan, and learn some beautiful folklore that’s woven into the landscape. From stealthy red squirrels to a killer Cailleach who’ll dance on your bonnet, these conversations challenge us to consider our own relationships with nature. 

Learn more about Dundreggan Rewilding Centre here:

https://visitdundreggan.co.uk/

Report your exciting squirrel sightings here:

https://scottishsquirrels.org.uk/

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Jenny and Annie bring another daring Fireside Folklore episode exploring folklore relating to the noble rowan tree. Jenny kicks off with an intriguing tale of a witch who lives in the woods. The wicked witch is particularly fond of her precious dishes but has minimal desire to clean them herself. This story reveals how the Rowan Tree gained its powers of protection, transforming from a withered, sick tree to a mighty guardian of the forest. Annie brings us back to Loch Ness with the tale of a particularly pesky kelpie who tries to debate his way out of certain death.

Whether you're a fan of folklore, interested in Scottish culture, or just love a good story, this episode of Stories of Scotland is a great jaunt into environmental mythology.

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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Annie and Jenny churn through the rich history of butter in Scottish and Irish cultures. We slip into a buttery journey from the ancient practice of making bog butter to the evolution of dairy farming in the chilly northern lands. Learn about the fascinating genetics behind lactose tolerance and how aurochs, the wild ancestors of cows, shaped our dairy destiny.

But there's more to this episode than just butter history, there’s also fatty folklore. Jenny brings to life a haunting Scottish folklore tale involving a blacksmith’s wife, a magical bridle, and a transformative curse. This story weaves through the dark and mystical paths of ancient Scotland.

We delve into the art of butter-making and explore the vital role of butter in Scottish households.

Don't miss this spread of historical facts, folklore, and fun, all buttered up in this episode of Stories of Scotland. Tune in for a dairy dose of culture, history, and whimsy.

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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A fresh New Year’s Eve tradition at Stories of Scotland is the telling of spooky stories about Hogmanay. Jenny and Annie return with terrifying tales to haunt you all Hogmanay.

First, Jenny welcomes us to travel to a smoky bar on the Isle of Mull for "The Queer Visit of Calum the Skipper," a chilling tale of a New Year's ghost with a twist. As the locals gather, reminiscing about Calum, a regular visitor, they're confronted with an unexpected and spine-tingling encounter. This story, unfolding on a stormy Hogmanay night, blends the warmth of community with the mystery of the supernatural.

Next, Annie delves into the local newspaper archives of the Glasgow Weekly Herald for a ghostly narrative from 1866. This tale, "The Devil’s Dungeon," sets the stage for an unforgettable Hogmanay at a farmhouse in the south of Scotland. Embark on a ghostly walk past haunted pools and eerie glens, leading to a terrifying encounter that will leave you questioning the line between reality and the supernatural.

Stories of Scotland wishes all listeners a beautiful Hogmanay, and health, wealth, and happiness for 2024. May the mountains smile upon you and all your turnips grow mighty!

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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In this enchanting episode of Stories of Scotland, your hosts Annie and Jenny embark on a mystical journey through the life and legends of Michael Scot, a medieval figure shrouded in the allure of wizardry. Unlike the American sitcom character, this Michael Scot stands out as a figure of Scottish folklore, known for his reputed magical powers and scholarly pursuits. Jenny brings out some amazing folklore from shipwrecked sailors, mermaids, snakes of wisdom, deals with the devil, and some very mischievous imps. We explore how his real academic achievements in astronomy, mathematics, and languages got intertwined with tales of wizardry, reflecting the medieval mindset.

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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Join Annie and Jenny on an oinking odyssey as they explore the role of the humble swine in Scottish folklore. We dive snout-first into discovering the folklore of the first boar in Scotland, some curious stories of how communities may or may not divide up their pigs, and some baffling bank robberies. We find some of the strangest stories featuring pigs for you, dear listeners. Prepare for plenty of porcine puns!

Content warning: This episode contains mentions of decapitation, death, and bodies in a folklore context.

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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Jenny and Annie take listeners on an enlightening journey through Scotland's rich astronomical history and its contemporary role in space exploration. The episode begins with a reflection on the timeless human fascination with the night sky, highlighting how stars have guided people through history. We delve into Scottish contributions to astronomy honouring the people who helped the world to understand the stars. Enter a lot of men named James: James Gregory. James Short and James Clerk Maxwell. We celebrate the life and discoveries of Mary Somerville, a polymath who greatly advanced our understanding of the solar system. Somerville's work in translating complex mathematical theories into accessible language is highlighted, alongside her role in predicting the existence of Neptune and her advocacy for women's suffrage.

We also explore Scottish folklore related to the stars, especially that of the Far North of Scotland. We look at how ancient Scots used celestial phenomena to predict weather and navigate the seas. The episode emphasizes the deep-rooted connection between Scottish culture and the night sky.

From Spaceports to satellites, what is Scotland’s future in the stars?

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland

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Riding upon their noble steeds, Deirdre and Tickles, Jenny and Annie explore some monster-slaying stories set in medieval Scotland. First, we travel to the glens of Cassley in Sutherland, where a toxic beast has wormed its way into the landscape. Beware, if you are driving the North Coast 500 as you’ll be entering the dangerous territory of the worm! Next, Annie ventures to a wee island on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire, near Braemar, where a strange crocodile creature is causing chaos. Featuring major Kings William the Lion and Malcolm Canmore, we question do monarchs love their monsters?Visit the ‘Sguel / Story: Folktales from the Scottish Highlands' exhibition at the National Library of Scotland at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh now! Find more information here: https://www.nls.uk/exhibitions/sgeul-story/Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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being buried alive, from the founding of St Columba’s Iona Abbey to the spooky sinister Lady with the Ring lore.

We consider whether horses in the attic are truly the best possible way to tell if you are being haunted. This episode ties Scottish legends of being buried alive to European traditions and even goes all the way to America.

Is Taphophobia an irrational fear, or something that can help us understand wider ideas about the human experience, life and death? Listen for top tips on how to survive your burial.

Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland.

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Embark on a bone-chilling journey with Jenny and Annie as they explore Duntulm Castle. Perched on a cliff edge in north Skye, Duntulm Castle’s story is woven with tales of ancestral battles, clan feuds, tragic fates, and paranormal disturbances. Each crumbling wall and hidden corner of this ancient, majestic castle has a chilling story, echoing the eerie cries of the long-departed.Discover the castle's blood-soaked beginning, a battleground for the territorial clan feuds of the MacDonalds, and MacLeods. With the wild waters of the Minch as the eerie backdrop, this castle, abandoned by the living yet teeming with restless spirits, calls out to all who dare to delve into its enigmatic history. These ancient stone corridors are a gateway to Skye’s macabre past, with tales of betrayal, love, and tragedy.Will you dare to listen as history and haunting folklore intertwine, unveiling the chilling truths embedded in the haunted grounds of Duntulm Castle? Could this be Skye’s most haunted building?Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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October means Annie and Jenny have their turnips to carve and some spooky stories to share. In this spine-tingling episode, we delve deep into the ominous shadows of Galloway's history, unraveling two of its most gruesome and enigmatic folklore tales - the malevolent legacy of Sawney Bean and the sinister mystery of the Murder Hole. As we venture back to the Scottish lowlands, Jenny discusses the unspeakable horrors of Alexander ‘Sawney’ Bean and his clan, a family of cannibalistic outlaws who preyed upon unsuspecting souls, leaving behind a trail of terror.Yet, the horrors of Galloway do not end with the malevolent Bean Clan. Annie invites us to the Murder Hole, a place where twisted fate and natural beauty converge. Beneath the serene allure of the picturesque landscape lies a narrative woven with dark secrets and unsolved mysteries, echoing the chilling whispers of those lost in its silent depths.With every narrative infused with meticulously researched details, chilling narrations, and a dash of the supernatural, this episode promises to immerse listeners in the harrowing landscapes of Galloway’s past. Unravel the intricate tapestry of myth, mystery, and murder that have shaped these eerie Lowland legends.Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie have a look at a group of artisan weavers who inspired a strike of sixty thousand people in Glasgow and the industrial central belt. This episode looks at the “Radical War” of 1820 and examines the causes of this civil uprising and the bloody aftermath. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In the second of a two-part adventure at Covesea caves, we look at the rumours of the Wizard of Gordonstoun who was said to have sold his soul for sacred knowledge. This episode discovers that Covesea caves were used by smugglers; who feed into a covert Jacobite network. We learn about Scottish Indigenous Travellers who passed through Covesea and think about the magic of stories in the caves. With thanks to Davie Donaldson. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In the first of a two-part exploration of Covesea caves, Jenny and Annie crawl into the Bronze Age to ponder why these caves were used for the curation of human bodies. Why did different people over different eras use the caves as a place of decapitation?We look at Pictish carvings on the walls and admire the special ambience of the caves throughout time.Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Highland podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in North of Scotland. We research our Scottish history, heritage, and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this second episode on Loch Ness we look at the landscape through the lenses of both science and mythology. We consider innovation on Loch Ness; from ancient crannogs to a 1950’s water speed record attempts. We think about how tourism and technology combined to see a sudden surge in Nessie sightings, and muse about international Nessie comparisons. Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Highland podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in North of Scotland. We research our Scottish history, heritage, and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join us on a breathtaking journey through the history of Loch Ness. We explore the mysticism and legends of the Loch starting with Saint Columba’s confrontation with the Loch Ness monster. This episode unravels the importance of sea-beast symbols in Scotland’s ancient communities of Picts. We discover what has the Loch Ness monster has symbolised and meant to different generations of Highlanders over the centuries. This is the first part of two episodes on Loch Ness.Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Highland podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in North of Scotland. We research our Scottish history, heritage, and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this first episode, Annie and Jenny consider the significance of bothies in Scottish culture and delve into the dark pasts of bothy life and the ballads that farm workers would sing by the peat fires to warm their spirits. We think about what bothies are used for in modern Scotland and how they can help us spend more time enjoying nature and the outdoors, supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Highland podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in North of Scotland. We research our Scottish history, heritage, and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Are you concerned about your cow companions? Do you want to protect your bovine besties from evil enchantments?Welcome to Fireside Folklore, a fun wee episode, where Annie and Jenny try to understand the mysterious phenomenon of cow cursing. After noticing cursed cows turn up in multiple episodes, Annie and Jenny try to understand why cursed cows appear so frequently in Scottish folklore. What do these stories tell us about Scottish culture and values?Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny journey to the Far North of Scotland to trace the intricate tale of this once-feared predator: the wolf. These enigmatic creatures, deeply woven into Scotland's culture and environment, have long been subjects of awe, reverence, and lament.Jenny tells the haunting tale of the Last Wolf of Sutherland. A poignant reflection on the extinction of a species, this story serves as a haunting reminder of human's capacity to reshape nature. Annie brings out a romantic Victorian poem about grave-digging wolves. We have a look at the beautiful wolf-related artifacts held by Inverness Museum, including the Ardross Stone, some taxidermy, and a suspicious bog body. We consider the possibilities and complexities of rewilding. Journey with us as we walk from ancient paths to modern controversies, with the distant howls of a bygone era, and the hopeful calls of a future yet uncertain.You can read the full wolf poem for free here: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/A_Book_of_Highland_Minstrelsy.html?id=bsoIAAAAQAAJ&redir_esc=y Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Welcome to Fireside Folklore, an enchanting wee episode, where Annie and Jenny take us deep into the heart of the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands. We unearthing tales of the mystical fairy dogs that roam the majestic mountainous landscapes. Ensure your sheep are safe and secure, cuddle your four-legged companions, and hold a wee piece of metal to protect yourself from fairy frolics. Whether you're a folklore enthusiast or simply looking to experience the magic of Scotland's natural wonders, this episode promises to captivate your heart and imagination.Content warning: This episode includes a description of a person with suicidal thoughts. If you are based in Scotland and require mental health support, check resources here: www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-support/mental-health-services-at-nhs-24 Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Unravel the secrets of the Galloway landscape in this deep dive into the geology of the marvellous mountain, the Merrick. Ever wondered how nature sculpted its majestic peaks and craggy contours? This episode journeys back millions of years, retracing the earth's steps in moulding this iconic landmark, and a funny wee boulder atop it. Jenny and Annie also explore the Cairnholy sites, which are ancient megalithic wonders that stand as a testament to Galloway’s rich prehistoric past. Join us to merge the world of geology with archaeology, and discover the tales and tectonics that shaped Scotland's scenic wonders.Perfect for history buffs, geology enthusiasts, Scots, Scottish travellers, adventurers and everyone in between!Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie return with Fireside Folklore to visit the enchanting world of the mystical tales of selkies, the mythical creatures that live as seals in the sea but shed their skin to become human on land. Dive into two enthralling traditional stories that weave the magic and mystery of Scotland's coastal legends, rich with romance, betrayal, and transformation.Whether you're a folklore enthusiast or a newcomer to the legends of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, these selkie stories will transport you to a world where the line between human and seal is as fluid as the wild ocean waves. Selkies have captured the hearts and minds of storytellers for centuries. For more information from our advertisers, on the UHI Culture and Heritage BA Hons course, contact ins@uhi.ac.uk or visit https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/ba-hons-culture-and-heritage/It’s an internationally accredited course from the University of the Highlands and Islands, available as an online course, learn on your own schedule from a yacht in the ocean, the top of a mountain or your spare bedroom! You can get a degree covering the language, heritage, archaeology, literature, landscape, identity, folklore and magic of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny as they delve into the vast history of Huntly Castle. The now ruinous Aberdeenshire castle dates back to the 12th century when William the Lion entrusted the MacDuffs with controlling the rebellious area. The motte and bailey castle, then called the Peel Strathbogie, was in the MacDuff’s hands for many tumultuous decades which included catastrophic crusades, brutal beheadings, and fatal flip-floppery. Eventually the Strathbogies blew it and were wiped from their castle by Robert the Bruce, who subsequently gave it to the Gordon family.The Gordons quickly set about changing the castle’s questionable name to Huntly Castle and architecturally revitalising it into something never before seen in Scotland. Over the centuries the Gordons amassed huge amounts of power and influence, but power has funny ways of collapsing, especially when on the Catholic side of the Reformation. In the Gordon’s case their Catholicism has strange and spooky consequences which, thanks to contemporary sources, have reverberated through history to the modern day. For more information from our advertisers, on the UHI Culture and Heritage BA Hons course, contact ins@uhi.ac.uk or visit https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/ba-hons-culture-and-heritage/It’s an internationally accredited course from the University of the Highlands and Islands, available as an online course, learn on your own schedule from a yacht in the ocean, the top of a mountain or your spare bedroom! You can get a degree covering the language, heritage, archaeology, literature, landscape, identity, folklore and magic of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join us on a journey into the world of folklorist John Francis Campbell, as Annie interviews the captivating curator, Ulrike Hogg, of the Sgeul | Story exhibition at the National Library of Scotland. This intriguing episode sheds light on the enduring preservation of storytelling, offering insight into a key figure who saved traditional stories to ensure they can be kept alive for generations across the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.See more about the Sgeul | Story exhibition here: www.nls.uk/exhibitions/sgeul-storyWe explore the pioneering efforts of 19th-century John Francis Campbell, who wrote down the hidden treasures of Gaelic folktales. We learn about the fascinating process of collecting these tales and the colourful characters he met along the journey. The Sgeul | Story exhibition serves as a mirror into the past and a bridge to the present, reflecting the timeless importance of storytelling. Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Stories of Scotland, a Scottish history podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny as they tell two short stories about whisky distillers on the islands of Mull and Tiree. We have a tale about smugglers and one about ghosts!For more information from our advertisers, on the UHI Culture and Heritage BA Hons course, contact ins@uhi.ac.uk or visit https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/ba-hons-culture-and-heritage/It’s an internationally accredited course from the University of the Highlands and Islands, available as an online course, learn on your own schedule from a yacht in the ocean, the top of a mountain or your spare bedroom! You can get a degree covering the language, heritage, archaeology, literature, landscape, identity, folklore and magic of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Jenny and Annie as they don their waders and explore the kelp forests that surround Scottish shores. These astounding seaweed ecosystems are home to countless species.In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the demand for kelp soared and the landowners of Scotland had an answer. Thousands of families were moved from their ancestral lands to the coastlines in order to burn kelp seaweed in order to produce the much sought-after kelp ash. The decades-long kelp industry on the Isle of Tiree is explored along with some traditional folklore from Benbecula.Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny in their short in-between epsiodes, Fireside Folklore: a celebration of Scottish traditional storytelling. Annie brings to life the classic legend of the Great Forests of Badenoch, narrating the tale of a Norwegian King whose envy of the Caledonian Forest led him to unleash a terrifying beast upon Scotland. Meanwhile, Jenny dives into the enthralling adventure of Mionchag and Murchag, presenting the Gaelic version to the well-known Tweedledee and Tweedledum sibling rivalry.In this fascinating exploration of Scotland's rich history and captivating folklore, you'll be transported to the verdant expanses of the Caledonian Forest and the lush landscapes of Badenoch. If you're intrigued by Scottish heritage, planning a Scottish travel adventure, or simply a fan of legendary tales, this podcast episode will serve as your audio guide to the heart of Scotland's mystical folklore and historical tales. Tune in to our spellbinding tales, perfect for those seeking an immersive cultural experience in Scotland.Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this thrilling episode, Annie and Jenny delve into the captivating world of the Scottish Highland Games - a cultural spectacle that showcases both the strength and skill of its competitors and the enduring tradition of Scotland.Prepare to be transported to the Highlands, where kilt-clad athletes participate in time-honoured competitions such as caber toss, hammer throw, and Highland dancing, in an astounding display of brute strength, finesse, and athleticism. Annie and Jenny explore the lore and legends associated with the Games. We question the romanticism and authenticity of the Highland Games but ultimately celebrate this tradition as connecting us to ancestors for centuries. We learn about the profound impact of the Highland Games on Scottish cultural identity.This extraordinary cultural experience that marries athleticism, tradition, music, and community spirit. So whether you're a sports enthusiast, a history buff, or just a fan of all things Scottish, this episode is sure to pique your interest!Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny on an adventure to one of the most iconic islands in all of Scotland: Fingal’s Cave, or known in Gaelic as An Uaimh Bhinn. Jenny flexes her geology skills as she explains the complex deep time story of how this incredible island came to form on the earth through volcanic activity. We explore the massive mythology that connects Fingal’s Cave to the Giant’s Causeway in County Antrim and wonder at the legends of Fionn mac Cumhaill, sometimes anglicised as Finn MacCool. We cover the infamous lore of Fionn’s feud with Scottish giant Benandonner, as well as a less-known love story alternative of how the astounding Giant’s Causeway was formed. Was this incredible geologic feature formed by war, or love?Finally, Annie has dug up a strange little piece of local folklore about an infamous monster that is said to use Fingal’s Cave for some pretty gruesome deeds. There is no other island quite like Staffa in all the world.Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny delve into the rich tapestry of Scottish folklore, unearthing the legends of Godred Crovan and the Dragon and the remarkable tale of Assipattle and the Stoor Worm. Join us as we traverse the windswept shores of ancient Scotland, where the lines between myth and history blur like the misty Highland glens.First, Annie recounts the legendary tale of Godred Crovan, a Norse-Gaelic warrior king whose heroism and cunning changed the course of Scottish history. Next, Jenny explores the enchanting myth of Assipattle and the Stoor Worm, a story of an unlikely hero and a struggle against a colossal sea serpent in ancient Orkney. Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Discover the enchanting world of Scottish folklore, history, and culture through Stories of Scotland. Journey with our passionate hosts, archivist Annie and environmental scientist Jenny, as they unravel the secrets of Scotland, weaving tales of ancient battles, mystical creatures, and breathtaking landscapes. This immersive podcast transcends time, taking you on a voyage to the heart of Scotland's rich heritage. Ideal for Scots, travellers to Scotland, or anyone interested in learning more about this country. Each episode of the Stories of Scotland Podcast dives deep into the forgotten corners of the nation's past, blending meticulous research with vivid storytelling. From the haunting legends of the Scottish Highlands and their ancient mythologies to the romantic tales of the Lowlands. Whether you're savouring a dram of whisky by the fireside, or wandering through the misty glens with headphones, Stories of Scotland will transport you through skilled storytelling and a love of the country. Delve into Scotland's past and uncover the mysteries that lie at the heart of this magical land, exploring unexpected landscapes, and beautiful nature to the rich histories of clans, castles, and witches. Tune in now and lose yourself in the spellbinding Stories of Scotland Podcast, a tapestry of tales, history, and adventure that will stay with you long after the final notes have faded away.Independent, made in the Highlands, and funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny as they dive into the mystical world of Scottish folklore with an American flavour. Journey across the Atlantic as we explore spellbinding traditional tales inspired by Scottish immigration to America.This enchanting episode of Stories of Scotland is guaranteed to transport you to a world of wonder and mystique, as Annie and Jenny shed light on the strange stories connecting Scotland and America, from magical music to lost treasures. Perfect for fans of folklore, history, and Scottish culture, this episode is a must-listen for those seeking to uncover the magical stories that join these two countries. Listen to the end to hear how to cross the seas on the back of a giant sea skate. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandIf you’re in New York on Saturday April 15th, join Annie and Jenny in the NY Tartan Week Parade! It will be great fun. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Content warning: this episode contains references to sex in the context of witch trials accusations, torture, execution, and suicide. Join Annie and Jenny as they explore the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1597 and the characteristics of this hunt within Aberdeenshire itself. We focus on the power of Slains Castle by looking at cases undertaken within the castle grounds and accusations made by the inhabitants of the castle. We look specifically at the cases of Ellen Gray, Gilbert Fiddler, and Andrew Mann, all of who were accused of being witches or warlocks. What do these cases tell us more broadly about the Scottish witch hunts? What can they tell us about Early Modern superstitions and beliefs? Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny on a trip to the Aberdeenshire Coast, revisiting Old and New Slains Castles. We discover how Bram Stoker took extensive inspiration from Cruden Bay in his writing of his books: Watter’s Mou, Mystery of the Sea and Dracula. We revisit the Hays of Errol as their power in the North East of Scotland surges and wanes. Together, we unpick why 19th Century vampires were wearing kilts in the public imagination, and demand for a return to this trend. Finally, they touch on the smuggler and ghost stories of New Slains Castle. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny as they explore the history of Old Slains Castle. The ruins, which stand atop cliffs looking out into the cold North Sea, are the remnants of ancient power. Old Slain’s castle fell into the Hands of the Hays of Erroll after the Scottish Wars of Independence, but how the Hays of Errol had power fall into their hands is a tale of Danish invasion, battle, and falcons. The Hay’s wielded their power both locally, nationally, and internationally. Embroiled in the counter-reformation, Slains castle was the centre of rebellion and the alleged treasonous plot of The Spanish Blanks. While exile would usually spell the end of someone’s power, not for the Hays of Errol…Join us to destroy an Aberdeenshire Castle. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Welcome to the battle betwixt tatties and turnips. Who will win? Tune in to this special episode of Stories of Scotland as we celebrate Burns Night! Enjoy a night of delicious Scottish history and folklore as we explore the traditional accompaniments to haggis: turnips and potatoes. Learn all about these classic Scottish vegetables and the international journeys that they took to get to Scotland's shores. We discover the place these humble root vegetables have in Scottish culture. Plus, a couple of spooky ghost stories about haunted tattie patches.And can either Annie or Jenny pronounce ‘rutabaga’? No.You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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In despair over the death of the 800-year-old Beauly Wych Elm tree, Annie and Jenny learn about the history of this amazing tree. Jenny sensibly explores the Valliscaulian Order and the monks who would have planted this tree. Annie puts 800 years of monarchs into rhyming couplets. Jenny examines the science of Dutch Elm Disease and what it means for the future of elm in Britain. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences:Chisholm-Batten, E. Historical Notices and Charters of the Priory of Beauly. Transactions of the Royal Historical Society, 1876Historic Environment Scotland, Beauly Priory Statement of Significance, 2019.Simpson, W. The Valliscaulian Priory of Beauly. The Antiquaries Journal, 1955. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie from Stories of Scotland apologise greatly for this miserable Hogmanay episode, which commemorates New Year’s Eve with some tragic and spooky stories. You have been fairly warned, so we hope you enjoy these Hogmanay hauntings!We learn about the mythology of the Wheebin Standing Stone in Orkney (aka the Stane o Quoybone), and a creepy, dreadful unexplained ghost in South Uist! We wish you all a beautiful and unhaunted New Year!You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences available at www.storiesofscotland.com Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny explore the Shetlandic legends of the trows, wee fairy folks who become especially active during the season of Yule. We explore how Shetlanders have interacted with the trow folk over the past few centuries, and question ‘are there any trows left?’ What happens when people stop believing in trows, and where do the trows go?Why are trows so interested in drinking and merriment over the winter season?​​You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences on the episode page of www.storiesofscotland.com. Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie as she travels to Linlithgow Palace, the jewel of Scotland’s Early Modern crown. Annie speaks to Nicki Scott, Senior Cultural Significance Advisor at Historic Environment Scotland, who describes what Linlithgow Palace would have been like several centuries past. We learn about the monarchs who lived in this spectacular palace. From the Great Hall to the chamber where Mary Queen of Scots was born, we imagine the power of this palace when it was standing strong. Next, we meet Christa Gerdwilker, who is one of the leaders for High Level Masonry project currently underway across Historic Environment Scotland sites. Christa explains the cutting-edge inspections underway to protect the precious fabrics of Linlithgow and other historic buildings managed by Historic Environment Scotland. We get a behind-the-scenes glance into masonry conservation, and the increasingly important role conservators play in protecting historic buildings from the impact of climate change. How can we listen to the stones to understand how to save these monuments? What does it take to ensure Scotland’s built heritage can withstand the coming centuries? Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny go squelching out into the marvelous Flow Country. This area, in the northern Highlands of Scotland, is often overlooked in favour of the mountainous west coast, but there is so much great stuff to be discovered here! The deep peat has taken thousands of years to form and the ecology of this Blanket Bog is wonderfully diverse. From hundreds of species of moss to rare dragonflies and carnivorous plants, the bog is teeming with life. The landscape is not just blanketed in bog, but also folklore, we explore a loch with healing powers, how it got them, and the mysterious yet compelling Hill ‘o Many Stanes. If you’re on the North Coast 500, the Flow Country is a must-see, and this episode, a must-listen!You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny tell one more tale from Greyfriars Kirkyard. It’s a story of a very good boy, Greyfriars Bobby. Perhaps one of the most famous dogs in the world, the story of Greyfriars Bobby took Victorian Scotland by storm. But despite his story carrying through the decades, inspiring many books, and even a Disney film, what do we really know about the little Skye Terrier? For there are many questions that swirl around this tale of the ages: Just what is the original story of Bobby? Who was his owner? How did he end up in Greyfriars kirkyard? Why did he stay? And perhaps most importantly, did he ever even exist? Let’s travel back to Victorian Scotland to find out. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences:Jan Bondeson, Greyfriars Bobby, the Most Famous Dog in the World, 2012 Thomas Wilson Reid, Gabrielle Stuart: A Scottish Romance, 1882Reporting from Glasgow Evening Citizen (1867), Dundee Courier (1867), Inverness Courier (1864, 1867), Aberdeen Press and Journal (1867), Scotsman (1872) Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie visit Edinburgh for this Samhain special, in search of a haunted Halloween. We explore the life and legend of Bloody George MacKenzie, a notorious figure in Scottish history. What was the Covenanter’s Prison, and why do people say that spirits could still haunt it to this day? What draws so many people to this famous Scottish graveyard, and what scares so many away?We learn about how Greyfriars Kirkyard in Scotland’s capital city became a centre for paranormal tourism. We discuss plague, political turmoil, punishments, and the poltergeist lore that surrounds this major Edinburgh landmark.Does Jenny really believe she was haunted by the ghost of Bloody MacKenzie?You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny investigate some of the unexplained phenomena seen in the skies above Scotland. Since the 1990s the town of Bonnybridge has been the centre of Scotland’s UFO activity, with thousands of reported sightings leading to it being crowned ‘The Roswell of Scotland’. It is a hotspot in the greater area known as The Falkirk Triangle, in which many strange and unexplained encounters have occurred. Perhaps the best-known of these is Bob Taylor, a forester who saw more than just trees in the forest. Listen to this world famous alien encounter explored in depth, through the portal of local newspapers. Bob’s encounter is not the only one reported in the Scottish press, from Edinburgh to Aberdeen, these sightings are always exciting and sometimes newsworthy. Some are mysterious and unsolved, others are mysterious and solved, but all… are out of this world. None more so than Annie’s very own tale of a mysterious encounter in the Highlands. Want to try out WeeBox? Go to www.weebox.co.uk and enter the code ‘Story10’ for an exclusive discount!You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReportings from The West Lothian Courier (1979), Daily Record (1992), The Dundee Courier (1994), The Scotsman (1947), Aberdeen Press and Journal (1997). We mention the TV show Strange But True? - S01E02 (1994). Get bonus content on Patreon

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We’re delighted to bring you a sample episode from one of our friends who makes the tremendously splendid Scotland: A Scottish History Podcast. The episode featured is called Milngavie vs the Monorail - The George Bennie Railplane System. Listen here:http://link.chtbl.com/scotlandWhen we heard the Milngavie vs the Monorail episode, we were entranced by the big emotions around this intriguing entrepreneur. Annie and Jenny are currently putting together a new season for you and are aiming to make more regular Stories of Scotland Podcasts. Thank you for your support of our show, and our listening to our wonderful friends and their emotions towards the monorail. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Jenny and Annie explore the curious phenomenon in Scottish folklore of the spirits of women being captured by stone. From the glorious mountains of the Five Sisters of Kintail to the Maiden Stone of Drumdurno in Aberdeenshire, we investigate why there are so many stories of women turned to stone.Also, we revisit Smoo cave to hear a tremendous tale of a loch-protecting Cailleach.Want to try out WeeBox? Go to www.weebox.co.uk and enter the code ‘Story10’ for an exclusive discount!Interested in visiting the National Museum of Scotland? Get more information here: https://www.nms.ac.uk/scotland You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThis is part of the Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature. Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.Sources:Canmore.org.uk and historicenvironment.scot on the Maiden Stone and Persephone.Kingshill, S., Westwood, J. B., The Lore of Scotland: A guide to Scottish legends, London, Random House, 2011.McConnochie, A. I., Bennachie, Aberdeen, D Wyllie & Son, 1890.Newspapers from the Aberdeen Evening Express and Highland News. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie explore some folklore around a couple of the most common plants of the Scottish landscape. We go out into the wilds of Scotland and have a think about the plants we’re treading on along the way. This episode is sponsored by WeeBox - go to www.weebox.co.uk and enter the code ‘Story10’ for an exclusive discount!You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThis is part of the Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature. Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.Sources:Articles from the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal (1903), Dundee Courier (1926), Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette (1905).Oral history reference numbers 75696, 41976, 33367, 2750, 60651 from www.tobarandualchais.co.uk. Chambers, Robert., Popular Rhymes of Scotland, W & R Chambers, Edinburgh, 1870.Wrightham, Mark., & Kempe, Nick, Hostile Habitats: Scotland's Mountain Environment Scottish Mountaineering Trust, 2019. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny look at the beautiful environment of Loch Fyne, and explore the folklore that has developed around it. We have some lighthearted fairy stories and a spooky ghost tale around the areas of Inveraray Castle and Stonefield Castle. This episode is sponsored by WeeBox - go to www.weebox.co.uk and enter the code ‘Story10’ for an exclusive discount!You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThis is part of the Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature. Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.Sources:Stoddart, J., Remarks on Local Scenery and Manners in Scotland during the Years 1799 and 1800. William Milar, 1801. MacCormick, D.(contributor), Maclean C. I. (Fieldworker), SA1954.7.B1, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/42064)Articles from the Occult Review (1909), the Scottish Mountaineering Journal (1890), The Globe (1895), Morning Post (1909), Falkirk Herald (1870), Fife Herald (1852). Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny on a trip around the world. The year is 1852, the Potato Famine and Highland Clearances are causing devastation, and hundreds of Scots board The Hercules, a ship destined for Adelaide, but struck by horrific disaster. As they leave their home in Scotland to start a new life halfway around the world, storms, disease, and sharks all plague the voyage. This episode looks at why these people left their homes, the journey they undertook, and their lives in Australia, if they survived to live them. This episode is sponsored by WeeBox - go to www.weebox.co.uk and enter the code ‘Story10’ for an exclusive discount!Interested in visiting the National Museum of Scotland? Get more information here: https://www.nms.ac.uk/scotland You can support Stories of Scotland on patreon, visit www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland to join up!References: Devine, T. M, “The Scottish Clearances: A History of the Dispossessed, 1600-1900”, 2019, PenguinDevine, T.M, “Scotland’s Empire: The Origins of the Global Diaspora”, Penguin, 2004Hunter, James, “Scottish Exodus: Travels Among a Worldwide Clan”, Mainstream, 2005Richards, Eric, “Highland emigrants to South Australia in the 1850s”, Northern Scotland, Vol 5, Feb 2015Reportings from the Inverness Couier, Cork Examiner, Edinburgh Evening Courant. You can read the ship registers here: www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/guides/highland-and-island-emigration-society-records Get bonus content on Patreon

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We’re sharing the first episode of a new podcast series we’ve just released called Weight of Sand. This is an audio drama exploring the life and lore of Isobel Gowdie. Isobel was accused of witchcraft in 1662. She lived in Auldearn in the Highlands of Scotland and her witchcraft confessions were detailed and vivid. 30 years after her trial, a nearby village of the Culbin was destroyed in a storm and covered in sand dunes. The sand was so extensive the land was called ‘The Sahara of Scotland’. Folklore blamed Isobel for cursing this land as revenge. Weight of Sand explores Isobel, her life, and the environment she is said to have destroyed. Listen to more Weight of Sand episodes at: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weight-of-sand/id1632916019 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6RD2r2aQJTXngkFPcvFgcqPocket Casts: https://pca.st/podcast/815949a0-df45-013a-d9e1-0acc26574db2Podcast Addict: https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/4024035CastBox: https://castbox.fm/channel/Weight-of-Sand-id4994068 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/weight-of-sand Amazon: https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/7761809b-fe11-4ea2-9491-8c3c6659fd26/weight-of-sand Website: https://www.carryingstream.com/weightofsand/ Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny deep in the Cairngorms, as they climb Ben Avon, but the summit isn’t the goal, instead, they take a detour to an astounding rock formation called Clach Bhan, or in English, the Women’s Stone. This rock formation overlooks the surrounding glens, and has been a place of pilgrimage for hundreds of years. Pregnant women from miles around would undertake an arduous trek to this point and ask the stone for a safe childbirth. But why this stone, three-quarters of the way up a mountain? What caused it to be here? Why are there numerous bowl-shaped holes, perfect for sitting? And most importantly, what drew women to this spot, in search of solace and safety? This episode is sponsored by WeeBox - go to www.weebox.co.uk and enter the code ‘Story10’ for an exclusive discount!You can support Stories of Scotland on patreon, visit www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland to join up!Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.References:Aberdeen Press and Journal. Old North Country Superstitions. 1877.Gordon J, Wignall R, Brazier N, Bruneau P, ‘Cairngorms, A landscape Fashioned by Geology’, Scottish National Heritage, 2006.Mason D. Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, volume xiv, 1887-1888. Inverness: Gaelic Society of Inverness; 1889.Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express. A Highland Village in the 18th Century. 1911.Sinclair J. Statistical Accounts of Scotland. Edinburgh: William Creech; 1794.Smith A. The history and antiquities of new and old Aberdeen. Aberdeen: A. Murray; 1882. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny discover how Skye’s greatest mountains are the remains of an ancient volcano. We unravel rich Scottish folklore about Beinn na Caillich: the Mountain of the Old Woman. We discuss the lore of giant women who battled across the sea with giant boulders. Learn about Saucy Mary, a lost Norwegian Princess and, a fake Norwegian Princess. If you love Skye, this episode is filled with magical mountain lore. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThis is part of the Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature.References:Anderson, J., 1873. Notes of some Entries in the Iceland Annals regarding the Death of the Princes Margaret. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, 10. Finlayson, J. (Contributor), Maclean C. I. (Fieldworker), 1955. Mar a fhuair Beinn Na Caillich aim, SA1955.169, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh. Gordon, S., 1927. A Peak in Skye: Beinn na Cailliche. The Scotsman. Hull, E., 1927. Legends and Traditions of the Cailleach Bheara or Old Woman (Hag) of Beare. Folklore, 38.Kallestrup, L. and Toivo, R., 2017. Contesting Orthodoxy in Medieval and Early Modern Europe. Cham: Springer International Publishing: Palgrave Macmillan.Macculloch, J. and Scott, W., 1824. The Highlands and western Isles of Scotland in letters to Sir Walter Scott. London.MacKay, J., 1905. How Beinn na Caillich got its name. Celtic Monthly, Glasgow, 13. Mackenzie, D. A., 1905. A Highland Goddess. The Celtic Review, 7, no. 28. Whyte, A., 2021. The Cailleach in Place-Names and Place-Lore. Journal of Scottish Name Studies, 14. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie explore the far edge of the Outer Hebrides, St Kilda. We look at the wonders of climbing the stacks of St Kilda, and the seabirds that create a symphony.We see through the eyes of Evelyn Heathcote, as she spends the night in a sea cave with a group of Gaelic psalm-singing St Kildans. We examine the folklore and landscape of this unique and special place. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThis is part of the Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature. Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.A special thanks to the School of Scottish Studies Archives for letting us use these Gaelic Psalm recordings:Salm 68, Contributor: John MacLeod, Fieldworker: Thorkild Knudsen, SA1963.44.A2, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh. [https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/74853]Salm 118, Contributor: James Smith, Fieldworker: Thorkild Knudsen, SA1964.103.B3, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh. [https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/75665]References:CANMORE, ‘St Kilda, Hirta, The Amazon’s House’, https://canmore.org.uk/site/3960/st-kilda-hirta-gleann-mor-the-amazons-houseC. Maclean, ‘Island on the Edge of the World - The Story of St Kilda’, Cannongate Publishing, 1977. E. J. Clegg & J. F. Cross, ‘Aspects of neonatal death in St Kilda, 1830-1930,  Journal of Biosocial Science, 1994. G. F. Geddes, ‘The Amazon's House, Hirta, St Kilda – A Conservation Statement’, unpublished report for the National Trust for Scotland, RCAHMS Mss 6341, 2011.E. Heathcote, ‘A night in an Ocean cave’, World Wide Magazine, Vol 5, 1900. E. Heathcoat, ‘A summer Sojourn in St Kilda’,Good Words, Vol  42, 1901.N. Heathcote, ‘Climbing in St Kilda’, Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal, Vol 6, 1901.‘More About St Kilda Underground Houses,’ The Scotsman, 1928.National Trust for Scotland on St Kilda, a World Heritage Site: www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-kildaNational Records of Scotland, ‘Stories from St Kilda’ https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/features/stories-from-st-kildaP. Stride, ‘St Kilda, the neonatal tetanus tragedy of the nineteenth century and some twenty-first century answers’, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 2008. Get bonus content on Patreon

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With the 140th Anniversary of the Battle of the Braes, Jenny and Annie set out to try to understand this crucial fight for land reform in Scotland. We look back to March 1882, when crofters of the Braes area of Skye tried to petition Lord MacDonald to let them have common grazing on the hill of Ben Lee. Lord MacDonald refuses this request, condemning the future of this crofting community into further poverty.  Standing up for their rights, the crofters protest through a rent strike. This leads to the Battle of the Braes on 19th April 1882, a violent moment in Scotland’s complicated history with land. We consider how land is at the heart of economic and cultural survival for the Highlands and Islands communities, and why we should never forget the Battle of the Braes. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland With thanks to Iona Fyfe for recording the song ‘Battle o the Braes.’Find Iona Fyfe at https://ionafyfe.com/ This is the second episode of our new series, Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature. Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.References:Andy Wightman, The Poor Had No Lawyers: Who Owns Scotland and How They Got It, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 2015‘Battle o the Braes,’ Brechin Advertiser, May 1882Crofting Commission: https://www.crofting.scotland.gov.uk/Ewen A. Cameron and Andrew Newby, ‘Alas, Skyemen are imitating the Irish’: A note on Alexander Nicolson's ‘Little Leaflet’ concerning the Crofters' Agitation.The Innes Review, 2004‘Furious Attack On and By the Police,’ Dundee Courier, April 1882James R Coul, Crofters’ Common Grazings in Scotland, The Agricultural History Review, British Agricultural History Society, 1968John MacGrath, The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black Black Oil, Bloomsbury, 2017Màiri Mhòr Nan Òran, Òran Beinn Lì, 1887‘The Land Agitation in Skye,’ Inverness Courier, April 1882‘The Revolt in Skye: Furious Fighting Between the Police and the People, Painful Scenes, Arrests of Crofters,’ Dundee Evening Telegraph, April 1882We used digital transcripts of the Napier Commission documents, available here: https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/research-enterprise/cultural/centre-for-history/research/research-alliances/the-napier-commission/ Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny continue their exploration of the women found in the margins of the Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal. It’s Edinburgh in the early 1900s, and a climbing expedition up the Salisbury Crags is derailed when the public notice that there are women climbing alongside the men. Determined, the women keep climbing, but are forced to the edges of the day. This is the beginnings of The Scottish Ladies Climbing Club, founded by Jane Inglis Clark. Jane was the definition of trailblazing and believed that everyone, regardless of gender, deserved to explore the outdoors.The geologic significance of the Salisbury Crags as well as the ancient mythology swirling around Arthur’s seat are uncovered in this trip to Auld Reekie.This is the second episode of our new series, Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature, and is inspired by the writing of the Scottish Mountaineering Journal. Some of the music you heard in this episode was beautifully played by Nicky Murray and Chloe Rodgers.You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland References:Karen Stockham, ‘It went down into the very form and fabric of myself: Women’s Mountaineering Life-Writing 1808-1960,’ PhD Thesis, University of Exeter, 2012National Library of Scotland, ‘Aiming High: About Jane Inglis Clark,’ https://reveal.nls.uk/aiming-high/about-jane-inglis-clark/ William Inglis Clark, ‘Some Climbs on the Salisbury Crags,’ Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal, Vol.6, Edinburgh, 1900 Get bonus content on Patreon

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Slightly frog-throated Annie and Jenny interview Highland author Jennifer Morag Henderson about her new book, Daughters of the North. Daughters of the North explores the life of Jean Gordon, from the Far North of Scotland who lived from 1546 to 1629. We learn of the Far North of Scotland during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots, the industries of Sutherland, and some intrigues of the Early Modern court. We share a love of archives, historical research, and the falconry display of Dunrobin Castle. Content warning: this episode contains some sensitive discussions of death and sexual violence, listener discretion is advised. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Jenny and Annie as they climb uphill on the West Coast of Scotland to explore the beautiful Beinn Sgritheall. We look at legends of the Glenelg brochs, Dun Telve and Dun Troddan, which reveal ancient folklore of giants, feasting women, revenge, and a very bad hair day. We adventure up the beautiful Scottish rural mountain of Beinn Sgritheall, and spend some time thinking about why hillwalking is so enthralling. This is the first episode of our new series, Radical Mountain Women, funded by the Royal Society of Literature, inspired by the writing of the Scottish Mountaineering Journal.You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland References:Dun Telve, Dun Troddan and Dun Grugaigon Canmore, The National Record of the Historic Environment: https://canmore.org.uk/site/11798/dun-telve, https://canmore.org.uk/site/11797/dun-troddan, https://canmore.org.uk/site/11772/dun-grugaig-glenelgCaithness Broch Project: https://www.thebrochproject.co.uk/NatureScot: History of Scotland’s woodlands: https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-land/forests-and-woodlands/history-scotlands-woodlands Ordnance Survey Maps at the National Library of Scotland: https://maps.nls.uk/os/Stuart Piggott, Scotland Before History, Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1958Thomas Murchison, ‘Glenelg, Inverness-Shire: Notes on a Parish History,’ Transactions of the Gaelic Society for Inverness, 1942-1950William Douglas, ‘Ben Screel,’ Scottish Mountaineering Club Journal, Vol. 1, Edinburgh, 1891 Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny interviews marvellous author Sue Lawrence and we learn about the women, castle and ghost that inspired her new book, The Green Lady. Jenny and Sue discuss Fyvie Castle in the 16th century and question how early modern women could try to gain control of their own lives. Sue, who has written multiple Scottish cookbooks gives us a cheeky variation of a Scottish classic recipe, Cullen skink at the end of this episode! Get bonus content on Patreon

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Are the Scottish Borders a rebel stronghold? Join Annie and Jenny as they examine the often-overlooked stories of the Border Reivers: the families of raiding, plundering, land-burning, outlaws. Jenny explores her ancestry roots in the Scottish Borders, to discover she comes from a family of bloodthirsty brigands. We look at Border clans, curses and, calamities as we unpick the ballad of Johnnie Armstrong. This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland References:Alistair Moffat, The Reivers, Birlinn, Edinburgh, 2008.‘Johnny Armstrong’ broadside ballad, National Library of Scotland Collections: digital.nls.uk/english-ballads/archive/74893315John Veitch, The Tweed, and Other Poems, James MacLehose, Glasgow, 1875.Katherine Anne Groundwater, The Middle March of the Scottish Borders, 1573 to 1625, University of Edinburgh: era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/24651 ‘The Ballad Poetry of Scotland,’ Alloa Advertiser, Feb 1879.Claire Etty, Tudor Revolution? Royal control of the Anglo-Scottish border, 1483-1530, Durham University: etheses.dur.ac.uk/1283/ Walter Scott, Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, James Ballantyne, Kelso, 1802. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie learn about the geology of the Scottish Lowlands, and travel as a wee grain of sand through half a billion years of geologic movement, ending up within the River Tweed. In more recent history, we unravel Arthurian legends to explore the story of Merlin, the wizard of the wilds. A real cornucopia of Celtic mythologies and folklore. This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences:Alexander Pennecuik, A Geographical, Historical Description of the Shire of Tweeddale,  Edinburgh, 1715.Francis H. Groome (ed.), Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland, Edinburgh, 1901.H. L. D. Ward, Lailoken (or Merlin Silvester), Romania, Vol. 22, No 88.‘How Tweed Got Its Name: Homespuns that have been famous for a thousand years,’ Dundee Evening Telegraph, August 1940. J. S. Blackie, Merlin and Kentigern, Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine, 1885. J. S. P. Tatlock, Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Vita Merlini, A Journal of Mediaeval Studies, Vol. XVIII, July 1943.Lauchlan MacLeanWatt, Scottish Life and Poetry, James Nisbet & Co., London, 1912. ‘Merlin’s Grave,’ Peeblesshire Advertiser and County Newspaper, January 1992.‘Merlin’s Mysterious Death: His Last Resting Place,’ Cambria Daily Leader, July 1890.‘Obituary: The Tramp Poet,’ Aberdeen Press and Journal, August 1925.Walter Scott, J. W. Lake, The Poetical Works of Sir Walter Scott, J. Crissy, Philadelphia, 1835. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny as they get in the festive mood and journey back to the Yuletide crimes of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The reformation resulted in the banning of many celebrations, including yuletide festivities. Those caught celebrating were brought before the Kirk Sessions, and this resulted in strangely detailed records of the celebratory practices of the time. Guising and cross-dressing, dancing, eating goose, and baking bread were all punishable by law, listen in to find out more about each tradition.This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland References:Barbara Hector, Is Hogmanay Dying Out? Not in Rural Scotland, Aberdeen Press and Journal, December 1932.Dictionaries of the Scots Language: https://dsl.ac.uk/Digitised Kirk Session Minutes, National Records of Scotland: https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk Margo Todd, Profane Pastime and the Reformed Community: The Persistence of Popular Festivities in Early Modern Scotland, Journal of British Studies, 2000.Margo Todd, The Culture of Protestantism in Early Modern Scotland, 2002.Robert Crammond, The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland from the Restoration to the Revolution, Vol 1, Blackie, Fullarton & Co., 1828.William Crammond, Steven Ree (ed), The records of Elgin, 1234-1800, The New Spalding Club, Aberdeen, 1903. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny share some lighthearted folklore on the theme of tartans and plaids! Tartan eels, ghosts and fairies: this is a jolly voyage into rich Scottish mythology. This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandListen out for the Scots words 'burn' meaning stream and 'bairn' meaning child!References:Donald MacMartin (contributor), Hamish Henderson (Fieldworker), SA1965.159, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh, (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/42141)‘Ghost Story of a Hooded Maiden in Argyllshire,’ Dundee Evening Telegraph, September 1910Mary Cirsty Fleming (contributor), Ian Paterson (Fieldworker), SA1973.122, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh, (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/42141)Mary Cirsty Fleming (contributor), Ian Paterson (Fieldworker), SA1976.172, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh, (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/66029)‘Treasure Trove at Falkirk, Burgh Man Unearths Vase of Roman Coins,’ Falkirk Herald, August 1933‘The Smugglers of the Border,’ Leith Burghs Pilot, August 1875William Scott, ‘Fairy Bells,’ Southern Reporter, March 1924W. W. Gibbons, ‘Folklore and Legends of Scotland,’ London, 1889 Get bonus content on Patreon

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Do you want to know the secrets of the bees? So do we! In this bonus episode, Jenny and Annie speak to author Diana Gabaldon known for her bestselling Outlander series of novels. We are celebrating the highly-anticipated release of Go Tell the Bees That I am Gone on November 23rd 2021. Diana discusses her interest and research into Scottish heritage, culture, and folklore. This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences:Bygone Bee-Keeping, Alloa Advertiser - Saturday 05 December 1874.Edith Sellers, Superstition without rhyme or reason, The Queen (London Newspaper), September 1899.Old Bridal Customs, Dundee Courier, January 1950.Serving Bees at a Funeral, Drogheda Journal, or Meath & Louth Advertiser, September 1826.William Sharp, The winged destiny: studies in the spiritual history of the Gael, 1910. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this bonus episode, Jenny and Annie speak to Scottish actor Graham McTavish. Graham has had an incredibly successful acting career and is well-known for many of his roles including Outlander, the Hobbit films, Castlevania, and the forthcoming Game of Thrones prequel, House of the Dragon.While working on Outlander, Graham became good friends with Sam Heughan and together they have created the TV Series Men in Kilts and are soon to release a follow-up to their globally bestselling book Clanlands. On November 23rd 2021, the Clanlands Almanac will be released. The Clanlands Almanac is a celebration of the Scottish seasons, folklore, and heritage. Taking readers through a calendar year, the Clanlands Almanac inspires us to feel the seasons change again. Listen out for the marvelous Scots toast: “Here’s tae us. Wha’s like us? Gie few, and they’re a’ deid!“This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandMany thanks to artist Kerry Douglas for designing our new cover art! Find Kerry at https://www.instagram.com/tufftay/ Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny tell some truly terrifying tales from the Borders of Scotland. We’ve all heard something go bump in the night that’s made the hairs on our neck stand on end, and while sometimes it’s as innocent as an open window in the attic, other times it can be as dastardly as the devil. These spooky tales from the archives explore the rolling moors of the Borders, haunted towers, and decrepit mansions. So come and join us as we peek behind the veil, and then quickly run away, too scared to look back.This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences:‘A Ghost,’ ’Jedburgh Gazette, September 1873‘A Haunted Berwickshire Spot?,’ Berwickshire News and General Advertiser March 1924John W Cockburn (contributor), Alan Bruford (Fieldworker), SA1966.019, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh, (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/25084?l=en )‘The Haunted House at Fairnilee,’ The Southern Reporter, August 1875‘Tit-Bits of Border History and Romance,’ Southern Reporter, August 1873 Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny as they go back to the witch panics of Early Modern Scotland. We examine the witch trial of Elizabeth Bathgate from Eyemouth, and look at what witchcraft trials reveal about superstitions and paranoia of times past. This episode is sponsored by Scotland Shop. If you are tempted to check out some of Scotland Shop’s beautiful tartan garments and fabrics, please follow this link to Scotland Shop. https://hubs.ly/H0-0fjl0References:James Maidment, The Spottiswoode Miscellany: A Collection of Original Papers and Tracts, Illustrative Chiefly of the Civil and Ecclesiastical History of Scotland, Vol. 2, 1845.John Graham Dalyell, The Darker Superstitions of Scotland illustrated from history and practice, 1834.Julian Goodare, Women and the witch-hunt in Scotland, Social History, Vol 23, 1998.Lauren Martin, Witchcraft and Family: What can Witchcraft Documents Tell us About Early Modern Scottish Family Life?, Scottish Tradition, Vol. 27, 2002. Lizanne Henderson, Witch Belief in Scottish Coastal Communities, Chapter in The New Coastal History, 2017.Survey of Scottish Witchcraft Database by Julian Goodare, Lauren Martin, Joyce Miller and Louise Yeoman, ​The University of Edinburgh, http://www.shca.ed.ac.uk/Zoey Lorne, The Construction and Regulation of Gendered Crime in Scottish Witchcraft Cases, 1560-1661, PhD Thesis from the University of Lethbridge, 2017. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny on a trip to the Cèilidh house, as they discuss the magic of this old tradition. We blether about some old cèilidh lore, exploring how cèilidhs keep communities connected. We look at how the cèilidh house sometimes develops its own lore of ghosts, magic and wonder. Stories of Scotland is an award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland.References:Captain Dugald MacCormick (contributor), Calum Iain Maclean (Fieldworker), TAIBHSE A THÀINIG GU TAIGH ANNS AN ROBH CÈILIDH, SA1953.050, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/2981)Donald MacLean (contributor), Donald Archie MacDonald (Fieldworker), FEAR AIG NACH ROBH SGEULACHD AIG CÈILIDH, SA1975.31.A2, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh (​​https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/62058)Reisebilder, Marion; A Highland Cèilidh of 35 Years Ago, Northern Chronicle and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland, 02 Dec 1908. Scots Language Centre Website: www.scotslanguage.com/articles/view/id/5263Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland Website: https://tracscotland.org/ Get bonus content on Patreon

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Content warning: Discussion of death and funerals. Join Annie and Jenny as they explore the curious Highland beliefs of the second sight. In this second part on the glorious mountain of Schiehallion, we learn about the time Robert the Bruce sought sanctuary at Schiehallion, a piper tempted by the fairy hill, and the superstitions of second sight in Rannoch. Be captured by the fairies in this enchanting episode!Stories of Scotland is an award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland.You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandTranscripts of oral histories:Transcript 1, Schiehallion, festival days and sheep sheering:Perthshire local: Well, the young people, so they tell me, and this is before my time, but the young people used to gather and they would set off up the hill to the back of Schiehallion. And there was a wishing well there and they used to put coins in there and wish for luck and that sort of thing. (Clang of grandfather clock from original recording.)Dr Betsy Ross: And they did this on May Day?Perthshire local: Yes, all on May Day, the first of May, aye. On Halloween Night and before that of course we had to gather all the sticks and old bracken and things and have something to make a blaze. And it was usually up on the hillside. And we all used to gather round and set fire to the thing and it was a giant spectacle and you saw it for miles around. And then we went home and would be dooking for apples and cracking hazelnuts and things like that. Well we just went to the different houses and never went too much, round all the different houses in the village. We had four people. They usually got danced the Highland Reel and I played the melodeon (a type of accordion) and of course we always got something. They gave us something. I heard that they used to do that, there were so many people, you see. Sheep-shearers are very scarce today but at that time there would be twenty maybe thirty, nearer thirty gathering at a shearing. And when the sheep had been shorn they would start competing amongst themselves and throwing the hammer and putting the stone, but that’s all a thing of the past. Goodness me, have you got it on? Dr Betsy Ross: Yes Transcript 2, Schiehallion Song:Sound me the name on the pipes wildly screaming,Splendour of tartan, and clashing of steal, Grey skies above and the pipes wildly screaming,Schiehallion forever to hearts that are leal.Raging from Rannoch, the blast fiercely stinging,I see the air from Glen Lyon in the snow,Yet in my ear old Schiehallion is singing,Songs of a summer I spent long ago. Oh how the name of Schiehallion can brighten,Longings and hopes that are dimmed with the years,Dark be the day but its burden will lighten,When that old hill comes again through my tears.Speak the dear name when my vision is dimming,For all life's turmoil dies down in my ears.When all my soul the dark waters are stealing,And heavens high hills to me shall appear.Then I remember Schiehallion in her glory,Purple and rosy a’ dying of the day,Write in a word and I still heart the story:Schiehallion, Schiehallion, Schiehallion always!References:Aaron Arrowsmith, Map of Scotland, London, 1807, https://maps.nls.uk/joins/747.html John Gregorson Campbell, Witchcraft & Second Sight in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland, Glasgow, 1902John Sinclair, Schiehallion: A Posy of Rannoch Poesy, Stirling, 1905.Mrs Helen Strathearn missing: Dundee Courier, 29 October 1902. Rev Dr. Marshall, Historic Scenes in Perthshire, Dundee Courier, 11 April 1879.Schiehallion, Dundee Courier, 22 December 1926.The Aberfeldy Mystery, Dundee Courier, 12 December 1902. Unknown person (contributor), Betsy Ross (Fieldworker), SA1978.153-154, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/88935 and https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/89039)WAF Browne, Second-Sight, or Deuteroscopia, Journal of psychological medicine and mental pathology, 1876. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny hike up Schiehallion, one of Scotland’s most famous peaks. This astounding mountain is home to world changing history. This episode includes an oral history with a squeaky rocking chair. Located in the heart of Scotland, Schiehallion was the site of an intricate experiment that weighed the world. It’s unique conical shape drew astronomers, physicists, mathematicians and geologists together in the 18th century to calculate the earth’s mass for the first time, causing an earthquake in the warring schools of geology. Mountaineering in the Scottish Highlands can be dangerous, especially in the winter, but an excerpt from the Scottish Mountaineering Journal opens up the Scottish Wilderness and all it’s beauty during this time. Stories of Scotland is an award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland.You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandReferences:CA Sage, Schiehallion Poem, Dundee Evening Telegraph, 1910.James G Scott (Contributor), Calum Iain Maclean (Fieldworker), SA1958.99, The School of Scottish Studies Archives, University of Edinburgh. (https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/37020)John Sinclair, Schiehallion: A Posy of Rannoch Poesy, Stirling, 1905.Joseph Gibson Scott, Schiehallion, Scottish Mountaineering Journal, the Scottish Mountaineering Club, Edinburgh, 1895.Herbert Trench (published by name FHT), Schiehallion poem, Westminster Gazette, 1897. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie learn about the MacMhuirich bardic family and the significance of bards in the Gaelic dominium. This tremendously fun episode takes us back to Medieval Ireland, to look at the time when the seeds of the MacMhuirich dynasty were sown in Scotland. We recite some English translates of MacMhuirich poetry and look at the stories behind their compositions. References: Robert Crawford, Clan Donald’s Call to Battle At Harlaw (2008), read the full version at: https://www.scottishpoetrylibrary.org.uk/poem/clan-donalds-call-battle-harlaw/Elanor Hull, A textbook of Irish Literature (1906).Martin Martin, A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland (1703).Derek Thompson, The MacMhuirich bardic family, The Poetry of Niall MacMhuirich, and Niall Mòr MacMhuirich all published in the Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness (1960-1976). Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie continue looking at Highland clan culture, exploring the sluagh-ghairm.Sluagh-ghairm is Gaelic and translates to ‘battle cry’ but it has multi-layered meanings. Sluagh-ghairm is also where we get the English word ‘slogan’ used in advertising. A Highland clan would choose a sluagh-ghairm to showcase their bravery, values, or very often as the gathering place for the fighting men. Join Jenny and Annie as they explore the battle cry of the Clan Macnaghten/MacNaughton and the legends of Fraoch Eilean, an island of Loch Awe. Listen to an authentic Gaelic ballad of Fraoch and the rowan berries here: https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/88050The Records of Argyll, Legends Traditions of Argyllshire Highlanders is available to read here: https://archive.org/stream/recordsofargylll00campuoftStories of Scotland is an award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland.  We are forever grateful to our Patreon supporters who make this show possible: www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny start to explore the relationship between Highland clans and land. We begin by discussing the Gaelic concept of Dùthchas, learning more about how clans divided up their territories. We then move to the legend of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne and Gràinne. We look at the connection between Ireland and Scotland, and how legends shape our clan identities. Look out for these Gaelic phrases-Dualchas: heritage or tradition. Dùthchas: place of birth, hereditary rights to land, birth-tie.Fàilte is furan: a warm welcome!Geas: a curse, spell or enchantment. Slàinte mhath: good health, cheers! A toast to your health.Stories of Scotland is an award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Annie and Jenny explore spunkie-haunted bogs, the natural phenomenon that has long been regarded in Scottish folklore as a forewarning symbol of danger. In the Highlands, we call them Spunkies, but you may know them as the Will o the Wisps!These are thought to be caused by the spontaneous ignition of gas that has been produced by rotting marsh vegetation however folklore associated will o the wisp connected them with the spirits of the dead and even imps or fairies. They are known to be deadly, luring travelers to their doom. We read from extracts in the Inverness Courier, Aberdeen Press & Journal, and Ada Goodrich Freer’s Folklore on the Hebrides. You can listen to oral histories on Spunkies here:www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/43382 and http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/75955You can read an original Victorian broadside ballad based on the Will o the Wisp here: https://digital.nls.uk/broadsides/view/?id=16041 Stories of Scotland is a multi-award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Join Annie and Jenny on a Wild Prince Chase as they follow the path of Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden. We meet the wonderful and romanticised Flora MacDonald, the young islander at the heart of a scheme to support Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape. We read from a letter from Charles Edward Stuart sent on 28th April 1646, and use accounts of his escape from The Lyon in Mourning by Bishop Forbes. Also, we quote from Flora MacDonald which was taken in Apple Cross Bay on July 12th 1746 on the UK National Archives website. Stories of Scotland is a multi-award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie consider the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden and the brutalities committed by the Duke of Cumberland and the British Government forces on the people of the Highlands after 1746. We look into the events recorded in The Lyon in mourning; Jacobite Memoirs by Robert Forbes.Trigger Warning: this episode contains discussion of murder, violence, and rape. Stories of Scotland is a multi-award-winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In the first episode of a new series, Jenny and Annie have a look at the Battle of Culloden, and the background politics that lead up to it. One of the most mythologised conflicts of all time, we try to piece together why so many raised their weapons to fight for Bonnie Prince Charlie. Now managed by the National Trust, Culloden Battlefield is of huge significance to Scottish history. Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Young fisher Mairi will do anything to return the sealskin to her almost-beloved selkie. The only problem is a few terrifying monsters stand in the way. In this final episode of a three-part miniseries, Annie and Jenny of Stories of Scotland Podcast retell classic Scottish mythology with a queer twist. Join Mairi on her journey into love & lore.Funded by the Edwin Morgan Trust Second Life Award, Queer as Folktales is a lighthearted look at how traditional folklore can be reimagined to incorporate the LGBT+ community of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Listen to episodes in order for the tale to make sense. Get bonus content on Patreon

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On the advice of an old fisher, young fisher Mairi and her old terrier make a journey across the Pentland Firth from Orkney to Caithness. Their destination is the land of the fairies, inside Bruan Broch. But how can they enter the supernatural underworld? And will they escape?In this second episode of a three-part miniseries, Annie and Jenny of Stories of Scotland Podcast retell classic Scottish mythology with a queer twist. Join Mairi on her journey into love & lore.Funded by the Edwin Morgan Trust Second Life Award, Queer as Folktales is a lighthearted look at how traditional folklore can be reimagined to incorporate the LGBT+ community of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Listen to episodes in order for the tale to make sense. Get bonus content on Patreon

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An unnaturally strong storm rolls over Orkney on Spring Tide. In the morning a young fisher and her old terrier stumble across a washed-up seal, or is it a washed-up woman? Or could it be both?In this first episode of a three-part miniseries, Annie and Jenny of Stories of Scotland Podcast retell classic Scottish mythology with a queer twist. Join Mairi on her journey into love & lore. Funded by the Edwin Morgan Trust Second Life Award, Queer as Folktales is a lighthearted look at how traditional folklore can be reimagined to incorporate the diverse LGBT+ community of the Scottish Highlands and Islands.Listen to subsequent episodes in order for the tale to make sense. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Jenny MacHaggis and Annie MacNeep explore the rich history of mythologies, legends and recipes of Scotland’s national dish: the haggis. We look at the ingredients in a Victorian haggis and blether about what folklore of the wild haggis tell us about Scottish identity. What is the old legend of how the haggis freed Scotland? Is that haggis related to the bagpipe?We’ve used the Scottish Poetry Library to find Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns. The Victorian Haggis Recipe came from the Dumfries Herald of 1864 and the haggis legends came from the Montrose Standard of 1925 and a selection of other Scottish local newspapers. You can listen to a haggis making oral history on Tobar an Dualchais here: www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/106790 or a haggisy song here: www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/48899 .Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie take a dance across the mythologies of the northern lights of Scotland. Upon finding their Scots legends of the aurora borealis, they end up rather unexpectedly in the Battle of Flodden: a battle said to have been written in the sky. For this episode, we used the books: Rock-bound: a Story of the Shetland Isles by Jessie Margaret Edmondston Saxby published in 1877 and Fatal Rivalry, Flodden 1513 by George Goodwin published in 2013. We read extracted from the Fife Herald published on 3rd May 1838, the poem of Flodden by W E Ayton from Harper's new monthly magazine volume 28, and the song Northern Lights of Old Aberdeen by Mary Webb. We also retold this oral history from George Peterson: www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/77252Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny take a festive Yuletide jaunt around Christmas time traditions in Scotland. We take a look at the almost completely lost highland tradition of the Clach an Groait stone, the world famous Orkney Ba tournament, and an old lady and her festive pig. This time of year is dark and cold, but these historic tales will warm your toes by the peat fire with kindness and generosity. For the wheelbarrow Christmas theiving and Clach an Groait lore, we read the Inverness Courier from 1843. For the Christmas pig oral history, listen here: www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/178Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Scottish history podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in the Highlands. We research our heritage and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. You can support Stories of Scotland on Patreon!www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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References:

We read an extract from the Shetland Times published on the 31st January 1903.

For discussing the saga, we read Last of the Free by James Hunter and Caithness in Sagas by Edward J Cowan.

These oral histories informed our stories of the Shetlandic trows:

www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/68053

www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/72787

www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/50885

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Jenny has just returned from a holiday to Orkney and shares her experiences of visiting Skara Brae, a beautifully preserved stone age village. Annie uncovers the early archaeology of the site, and Jenny imagines what the lives of people were like 5000 years ago. They find a light-hearted ghost neolithic ghost story and wonder about the beliefs and superstitions of our ancient ancestors. Jenny and Annie highlight the imminent risk to Skara Brae from the climate crisis, and the fears that this incredible stone age settlement could be lost to coastal erosion. We used the following articles for researching this episode: Notice of Ruins of Ancient Dwellings at Skara, Bay of Skaill, in the Parish of Sandwich, Orkney, recently excavated by George Petrie; Final Report on the Operations at Skara Brae with a Report on Selected Animal Bones and a Report on Human Remains by Vere Gordon Childe; Storm and Stone- Accidental Archaeology at Skara Brae in Orkney by Virginia Zimmerman. Information about the storms of 1850 came from the John O’ Groat Journal published in that year. For visiting Skara Brae please check details on the Historic Environment Scotland website. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Read about the Baobhan Sith in The Gaelic Otherworld edited Ronald Black, which uses the text from Superstitions of the Highlands Islands by John Gregorson Campbell. Listen to more about MacPhee and his loyal black dog here:

www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/5820

www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/25460

http://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/40050

Our quotes for this episode come from the Elgin Centenarian originate in the Elgin Courier from 9 November 1849 and the Halloween Fairies Poem is from Fife Herald 19 May 1870.

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Annie and Jenny take a gentle stroll through Chapel Yard Cemetery in Inverness and think about the stories that graveyards tell us. They encounter a succourer, a short snake, and a new perspective on the city they love. Have a look at Annie’s 1886 Visitors Guide to Inverness here: https://archive.org/details/visitorsguidetoi00unse/page/n1/mode/2upStories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Highland podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in North of Scotland. We research our Scottish history, heritage, and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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The majority of research for this episode came from original archival material.

The front page of the newspaper discussing the missing livestock is the Inverness Courier from 28 November 1861.

The court records of the assault and murder trial are held at the National Records of Scotland, under the references of AD14/62/144 or alternatively JC26/1862//120.

Information about David Cumming and the Fergusson family was found in Scotland’s census records, birth, marriage and death papers.

We read extracts about the death and murder trial from the Inverness Courier published on 05 December 1861, 24 April 1862,01 May 1862. We also used the Elgin Courier from 02 May 1862 and the Renfrewshire Independent from August 9, 1862.

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For the Lùnastal or Lammas Day traditions, we used ‘Old Scottish Customs: Local and General” by Ellen Emma Guthrie published in 1885.

archive.org/details/oldscottishcusto00guthuoft

Listen to the oral histories which we retold from Donald Sinclair. They are available on Tobar an Dualchais/ Kist o Riches.

www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/44301

www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/en/fullrecord/49033

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Jenny and Annie investigate real Scottish ghost stories as found in local newspapers in this light-hearted spooky episode. They begin in the town of Port Glasgow, where a family is being tormented by noises, spectral animals and some nasty phantom vegetables. The trusty journalist however suspects a hoax instead of a ghost. Next, they visit one of Scotland’s most haunted buildings: Fyvie Castle. They look at how the discovery of bones hidden within a wall of Fyvie Castle inspired ghost stories of Grey and Green Ladies. The local press covered these mysterious bones with much enthusiasm, so we have the words of people who experienced the discovery of the skeleton in the wall as it happened, and have their own ideas about the Green Lady. Finally, they explore a wraith in the Gorbals of Glasgow. We consider the sensational press of ghost stories, and what they can tell us about everyday lives and ideas of afterlives. Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Highland podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in North of Scotland. We research our Scottish history, heritage, and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In the first episode of Season 4, Annie and Jenny take a wander around the magnificent ruins of Elgin Cathedral. Known as the Lantern of the North for, as you’ll discover, many reasons - the cathedral has a rich and dark history, and as much of it as possible is squeezed into this episode! From those dreadful fires that won’t stop being set to sinking ships and wolf attacks, the Cathedral is more than just a tourist site. Listen in to hear the many tales of Elgin Cathedral at the start of our extended run-up to Halloween!Stories of Scotland is a multi-award winning Highland podcast, proudly recorded in Inverness in North of Scotland. We research our Scottish history, heritage, and mythology podcast using archives, books, museum objects, and oral histories from across Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this glittering episode, Jenny and Annie uncover the incredible 1869 gold rush in Kildonan, Sutherland in the Far North Highlands. Jenny explains the geology of how gold ended up deep in the Scottish Highlands. We have a look at the Victorian media hype that sent a lot of hopeful prospectors up to Helmsdale in search of treasure and find out about the fates of the folks panning for gold.We find a wonderful poem called the Highland Gold Diggers Song and finish on learning a surreal folktale on how the first bridge over Dornoch was a solid gold fairy bridge. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny take a deep dive into some of the many mystical wells dotted all over Scotland. They visit the Munlochy Clootie Well, one of the largest of its kind in Scotland and unpick it’s pagan and Christian past, while also looking at the continuation of age-old traditions in the modern-day. Many wells are believed to have magical properties and what better way to explore these than with a witch trial! A fairy well on Arthurs’s seat in Edinburgh healed many but ended in the death of one unfortunate woman accused of witchcraft. Annie and Jenny explore what wells can tell us about Scottish culture throughout time. Listen in to find out more about both these wells and as well as Annie’s favorite well, The Burghead Well, and Jenny’s favourite well, The Cheese Well. Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny enter the dark and mysterious world of the shebeen - the illegal Scottish whisky house! The shebeen was at the heart of whisky smuggling and illegal distilling in rural Scotland. We discover this almost-lost shadow of the whisky industry. We hear the intriguing tale of Eppie “Lucky” Thane, the hundred-year-old woman who ran a successful shebeen in Glen Nochty. From illegal distilling of whisky in the glens while avoiding the taxman, to smuggling the water of life into towns around Scotland this episode explores all corners of the illegal whisky trade in Scotland. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Enjoy two of the misfit legends found by Jenny & Annie as they researched Scottish coasts and waters. Jenny recalls a story of a strange folktale of a ghost ship from the mysterious Blawhooly Bay in the Scottish borders. Ghosts, ghouls, fairies and sea-beasts anchor their ship one dark night in order to kidnap a midwife. Whereas Annie brings a story from oral history which tells of a mischievous kelpie who lived in Strathnairn, just south of Inverness.Consider supporting Stories of Scotland on Patreon! www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Get bonus content on Patreon

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In this episode, Annie and Jenny visit the magnificent Smoo Cave, a favourite on the North Coast 500 and a place that is dear to both. Join them in their expedition deep under the cliffs of the North West Coast to discover how love formed the caves, and evil has lived in them! From a dastardly murderer to a wee man in a box, Smoo Cave is packed with stories from the past, both real and mythological. Get bonus content on Patreon

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This episode explores the relationship between witches and water in mythology, folklore and a historical witch trial. Annie and Jenny read the 1644 witch trial of Marion Peebles, a woman from Shetland accused of witchcraft. The trial of Marion Peebles gives a unique and intriguing insight into the superstitions of Shetland in the 17th Century. Next, Jenny retells the marvellous tale of the cannibalistic Cailleach of Arran, a sailor-eating giant who is foiled by a cunning French fisher. In the past, this story was considered vulgar and so was only told out on the open sea by sailors. Returning to Shetland, we look at the folklore of a witch of Yell, who had a vendetta against a sailor and used her sea-powers to punish him. Get bonus content on Patreon

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Jenny and Annie head to sea to explore the legends of the Blue Men of the Minch: supernatural men who are said to inhabit the strip of sea from the Outer Hebrides to the west coast of mainland Scotland. Jenny and Annie look at different tales taken from oral tradition and think about what these strange wee creatures from folklore tell us about the nautical culture of the Hebrides. Celebrating Scotland’s coasts and waters in a lighthearted look at mythology. Get bonus content on Patreon

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