Many of the legends and encounters with vampires from all over the world go back thousands of years. Local historians believe the mass panic stemmed from the legend of “Jenny wi’ the Iron Teeth”, a murderous ghost said to haunt Glasgow Green. Bedtime Stories; Cinderella; Little Red Riding Hood; Snow White; The Snow Queen; The Ugly Duckling; Puss in Boots; The Sleeping Beauty; Beauty and the Beast; The Little Mermaid; The Princess and the Pea; The Goose Girl; The red shoes; The Frog Prince; The Fairy; The naughty boy; Hansel and Grethel; The story of the youth... Snow-White And Rose-Red; Blue Beard; The Valiant Little Tailor Find your local tales, myths and legends. 1. ‘Nessie’ has a long neck and one or more humps protruding from the water. In 1954, hundreds of young kids from the … Nursery Stories. In 2009, a newspaper reader claims to have spotted ‘Nessie’ whilst browsing Google Earth’s satellite photos of Loch Ness. Finally, against all odds, the spider succeeded with his web. There are animal tales, stories of the fairies of Scotland including Brownies, Bogles, Kelpies, Mermaids and others, and tales of Witches and of Giants. Bean-Nighe. Loading... Unsubscribe from Austin Hackney? Although the caves are now long gone, on summer nights, passers-by have heard the distant sound of bagpipes coming from deep under the ground. In Scottish folklore, Black Donald is the Devil. Larrington also reveals how such stories continue to inspire modern writers and artists. The Gorbals Vampire. In Scottish folklore, Beira is said to be the goddess of winter. The piper was never seen again. dailyrecord 21 Standout Indie Shops in Scotland’s Cities . ‘Nessie’ has a long neck and one or more humps protruding from the water. Bradley, Edward. 8 Good News Stories From Scotland’s Businesses . Using only a wooden club, he beat the dragon, eventually slaying it as the crowd yelled “strike, Martin”. It would entice people to ride on its back, before taking them down to a watery grave. The bean nighe (Scottish Gaelic for ‘washerwoman’) haunts desolate streams and washes blood from the clothing of those about to die. There are many supernatural creatures to be found in Scottish folklore. The hill shepherds were known for being dreamers and poets, and the Lowlands produced many a fine Rhymer. The first recorded sighting of the monster was nearly 1,500 years ago when a giant beast is said to have … They do not like being seen and mostly come out at night and in exchange they get small gifts or a little food. Rarely seen, he was often heard at night, cleaning and doing housework; he also sometimes mischievously disarranged rooms. He resided in a cave for three months, at the lowest point of his life and struggling to come up with a plan about what to do next, contemplating leaving the country never to return. Walk down the city’s High Street, and you’ll come face to face with a statue of the dragon. Flood tides and inflow from the Firth of Lorne to the west can drive the waters of Corryvreckan to waves of more than 30 feet (9.1m), and the roar of the resulting maelstrom can be heard 10 miles (16km) away. After researching folklore traditions gathered primarily from Gaelic areas of Scotland, an authority on congenital disorders, Susan Schoon Eberly, has speculated the tale of the wulver may have a basis in a human being with a medical condition; she suggests it may be Hunter syndrome. Background. You might see them lurking by Scotland’s lochs and rivers. Otta F Swire, has it that Cuchullin, the Hero of Ulster, unbeaten in battle, heard of Sgathaich and her school. Coiled around their battered bodies, basking in the blood of the innocent victims, the farmer was aghast to see a huge serpent-like dragon. It is said that the Devil is good at all jobs except for one, tailoring, because when the Devil is among the tailors they close up shop so he has never learned to baste. In addition to the ubiquitous legends of the Irish mermaids (the merrows and Scottish selkies) there are other mythical sea creatures from Gaelic folklore. Every Saturday at sunrise, the Stoor Worm would wake, open his cavernous mouth and yawn nine times. The mythical kelpie is the Scots name given to a supernatural water horse that was said to haunt Scotland's lochs and lonely rivers. The reason for this is believed to be that the stories took shape during a period of enlightenment where human sacrifices to great beasts and monsters were beginning to be suppressed. Gaels migrated into Scotland from Ireland until the Norsemen began their raids on the Scottish coast, and the stories of Fingal would doubtless have come across too. Menu. We believe storytelling imparts valuable lessons on individuals and society alike and we hope to continue creating quality content that will help engage people with this tradition. Known for its natural acoustics, the origins of its name are unknown. London: Published for the Folk-Lore Society by David Nutt, 1901. L. Loch Ness Monster. The selkie woman was often seen gazing lovingly at the ocean. Regardless of the truth, the suggestion of the monster’s existence makes Loch Ness one of Scotland’s most popular tourist attractions with thousands visiting its shores each year with the hope of catching a rare glimpse of the famous monster. The music droned on for hours, slowly fading away until it couldn’t be heard. He is said to have told his men: “If at first you don’t succeed, try try and try again,” which is a phrase used still to this day. The Corryvreckan is the third largest whirlpool in the world. Cancel Unsubscribe. After a busy day of work, the farmer sent his eldest daughter to gather water from a nearby well. The bodach will not cross salt. But what happens when the piper himself vanishes into thin air? A good defense would be to put salt in the hearth before bedtime. When all had failed to return, he went to investigate, only to find the slain bodies of his nine lovely daughters strewn across the ground by the well. He can take many disguises including an old man in a black suit but whatever disguise he takes, he’s always giving himself away because of his cloven feet which cannot be shod. It is probably an Orkney variant of the Norse Jormungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent, or world serpent, and has been described as a sea dragon. Tales once abounded of a man who found a beautiful female selkie sunbathing on a beach, stole her skin and forced her to become his wife and bear his children. The typically stormy Scottish weather, not one to disappoint, made the spider’s task difficult as droplet after droplet destroyed the creatures intricate work. A Shetland version of the tale about the selkie compelled to become a human wife, was published in 1822. Scottish and Irish Lore About Vampires. As a body, we seek to promote and preserve Scottish folkloric heritage by telling the tales of the past with the technology of today. Scotland has a rich Celtic History going back over 2,000 years, at a time when superstition was rife and where unusual events were "explained" by stories and inventions which were then passed on by word of mouth. Much like the brownie, he would occupy his time doing farm chores. Black, George Fraser, and Northcote W. Thomas. The large dinosaur-like creature is reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. It was said that the purity of the maidens’ hair would make the rope unbreakable. Here are some of the myths and legends that visitors still hear whispered in the green rolling hills of Scotland. The collection of Celtic folktales consists of nine books with 249 stories: 26 Celtic folktales, 128 English folktales, 38 Irish folktales, 33 Scottish folktales and 24 Welsh folktales. With druids and witches and deeply rooted superstitions, the folkloric pot of Scotland bubbles over with stories for children, fairy tales, and legends of lore. In 1934, a London doctor snapped a photograph that seemed to show a dinosaur looking creature emerging from the water. Scotland. Another legend surrounds Norse king Breacan. Scotland’s Celtic history spans over 2,000 years. Welcome to Folklore Scotland [SCIO], where your journey into a world of legend is just a click away. He was born in 1274 at Lochmaben castle where he was Knight and Overlord of Annandale. However, while Robert the Bruce was waiting, legend has it that he watched a spider building a web in the entrance to the cave. An unlikely alliance of Christians, communists and the National Union of Teachers blamed imported American horror comic books for the mass hysteria. Suddenly, the dog ran out of the cave terrified and howling, without any of its hair! He would then demand a meal of seven virgins for as the old tales records: "although he was a venomous beast, he had a dainty taste.". Martin's Stone stands alone in a field one mile north of the village of Bridgefoot (previously known as Kirkton of Strathmartine), itself now on the northern fringes of Dundee. We want to make it as easy as possible to navigate the myths and legends of Scotland, so we have compiled the stories on our website into regional collections. A Brownie is a legendary elf popular in folklore around Scotland. Here, writing for History Extra, Larrington shares nine of the most unusual folktales that she has come across… The British Isles are a treasure chest of folklore and traditional tales. Thus, here are 7 Scottish folklore … Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn visited in 1829 and wrote an overture, The Hebrides (also known as Fingal's Cave overture), inspired by the weird echoes in the cave and one of Pink Floyd’s early songs is also called Fingal’s Cave. This is one that we’ve all heard of and tells the story of a large dinosaur-type creature that inhabits Loch Ness in Scotland. The boat was subsequently dragged under. Bean nigheare believed to be the spirits of women who died in childbirth, now doomed to was… Locals believed that fairies lived in these tunnels and caves, and no one dared to go inside and disturb them until one day, a piper boldly entered the caves. Assipattle, the youngest son of a local farmer, defeated the creature; as it died its teeth fell out to become the islands of Orkney, Shetland and the Faroes, and its body became Iceland. Advertisement . Selkies were mythical creatures that could transform themselves from seal to human form and back again. Soon he became revered in Scotland and, boosted by the Ossianic heroic verse and songs, his name was a natural choice to assign to this dramatic and awe-inspiring cavern. He played his pipes loudly, accompanied by his faithful brown dog. 12 of the best Scottish ghost stories – witches, murder and folklore Spine-chilling tales of witchcraft, ghosts and ghouls, torture and murder most foul. Scottish Fairy Tales. Scottish traditional music to listen to on a musical journey through Scotland . What’s particularly interesting from this article’s point of view is that Scotland was once viewed as the hotspot for vampirism hundreds of years before Eastern Europe became famous for its blood sucking counts. Skip to content. Click here for Scottish Tales in the French language. The Gulf of Corryvreckan (from the Gaelic ‘Coire Bhreacain’ meaning "cauldron of the speckled seas" or "cauldron of the plaid"), also called the Strait of Corryvreckan, is a narrow strait between the islands of Jura and Scarba, off the west coast of mainland Scotland. This is a Scottish fairy tale seen as an open of death. Cierein Croin, a gigantic sea serpent is said to be the largest creature ever. Some stories from Shetland have selkies luring islanders into the sea at midsummer, the lovelorn humans never returning to dry land. BODACHAN SABHAILL (LITTLE OLD MAN OF THE BARN): A spirit who haunted barns in Scotland. Stories of Aberdeenshire . In various stories, Breacan moored his boat near the whirlpool to impress the father of a local princess, who wanted him to anchor by the whirlpool for three days and three nights. Robert the Bruce is well known in Scotland and across the world due to the part he played in the wars of Scottish independence and films such as Outlaw King. You can learn more about our mission on our About Us page. When you picture Scotland in all its mythical grandeur, the first place your mind will visit is the Highlands. While many of the themes are similar to other European folk-tales, this collection emphasizes specifically Scottish aspects of … It is noted that the slaying of the dragon by Assipattle is not dissimilar to other tales of the genre. Apart from Scottish folklore, this figure can also be found in the mythology of Ireland, though she is called by a slightly different name. It is said she can be found by streams of pools washing the clothes of those who are about to die. A very old legend surrounds Dun Sgathaich Castle in the Isle of Skye, in which it is said Sgathaich, a warrior ran her ‘school for heroes’. In desperation the king eventually issued a proclamation offering his kingdom, his daughter's hand in marriage and a magic sword to anyone who could destroy the monster. The Brownies are said to inhabit houses and aid in tasks around the house. The kelpie would appear to its victims as a lost dark grey or white pony but could be identified by its constantly dripping mane. The prince had three ropes made, one from hemp, one from wool and one from maidens’ hair. Many of the Highland communities preserve the Gaelic language and myths and legends still seem to be alive within this region. According to the stories of most parents, the bodach would only bother bad or naughty children. In 1306 he was crowned King of Scotland and subsequently tried to free Scotland from the English enemy. When the only surviving crew member dragged the body of the prince ashore, one maiden, wracked with guilt, confessed that she was not as pure as she had made out and that was why the rope broke. In days gone by, a dark network of tunnels was said to extend from the Cove of Grennan to the cliffs of Clanyard Bay, near Stranraer. The adults wouldn’t believe the kids, so the kids decided to deal with this monster once and for all – by themselves. To some she has appeared as an old hag with webbed feet, one nostril and one protruding tooth, and on the Isles of Mull and Tiree she has breasts so long she throws them over her shoulders to hang down her back. No animal of substantial size was found and, despite their reported hopes, the scientists admitted this “proved” the Loch Ness Monster was a myth. In this edition, the selkie already had a husband of her own kind in the ocean before she was forced to stay on land. Some say it became known as Fingal's Cave after the eponymous hero of an epic poem by 18th-century Scots poet-historian James Macpherson, who claimed to have translated the poem from ancient Gaelic. In 2003, the BBC sponsored a search of the loch using 600 sonar beams and satellite tracking. In addition to compiling a diverse selection of folk tales on our website, we are also working with our sister site, Albion Adventures to develop an app. The Milk-White Doo. After being defeated in battle in 1306 by the Earl of Pembroke at Methven, Robert the Bruce went into hiding, supposedly in the Western Isles. However, some accounts state that the Kelpie retains its hooves when appearing as a human, leading to its association with the Christian idea of Satan. The legend of the selkie apparently originated on the Orkney and Shetland Islands where selch or selk(ie) is the Scots word for seal. Dozens of sightings have since been claimed, many of which have turned out to be hoaxes. Robert the Bruce was inspired by the spider’s efforts, so decided to get up and face another fight. Marriage of Robin Redbreast and the Wren. Perhaps sensing that it was no match for the baying mob, the dragon attempted to make it’s escape, but a young man named Martin caught up with it. A huge sea cave on the uninhabited island of Staffa in the Inner Hebrides, the cave is formed entirely from hexagonally jointed basalt columns, a similar structure to the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland. Taken from: Witchcraft Second Sight In The Highlands Islands Of Scotland by John Gergorson Campbell, I story about a man sensing the situation of his son at a distance. According to some sources, she is known also as the Cailleach, a name which is said to be translated literally into English from Gaelic as ‘veiled one’. After the story appeared in the local press, it gained worldwide coverage. It is small wonder that our dragons were not flying, fire-breathing creatures but fierce sea serpents such as Orkney’s Stoorworm, borrowed from Viking legend. The Story of the White Pet. The belief in fairies was so strong, that even in the face of Calvinism, fairies continued to flourish and … Small villages with tightly knit communities and large mountain landscapes make up the charm of the Highlands. Most of these Scottish Fairy Tales are children's stories from the West Highlands. Subscribe Subscribed Unsubscribe 1.71K. They differ from other Gaelic mythological cycles in the strength of their links with the Gaelic-speaking community in Scotland and there are many extant texts from that country. Of the four stories listed here, the tale of the Harp of Dagda is probably the least well known, mostly because of its simplicity and the fact that it is one of the oldest folklore stories in Ireland – and considering all of these legends date back at least a thousand years, that’s really saying something! Collected and illustrated by Cuthbert Bede. There was also an American comic book at that time entitled: “The Vampire with the Iron Teeth”. The Laird harnessed the strength of the horse-form Kelpie by using halter stamped with the sign of a cross. Perhaps it’s the wind whistling through the old underground caves, maybe it’s just a trick of the mind, or maybe…just maybe, it’s the spirit of the piper, playing his Scottish melodies forevermore. This Halloween, meet the supernatural creatures to be found in Scottish folklore and hear the stories told by people from the communities where the tales originated. The campaign ultimately reached Parliament, resulting in the 1955 Children and Young Persons (Harmful Publications) Act which still stands today. The Sea Maiden: Scottish Folklore Stories (Selkies) Austin Hackney. The kelpie cursed the Laird of Morphie, a reason popularly believed to explain the extinction of the Laird family. The stories of Finn (Old, Middle, Modern Irish: Find, Finn, Fionn) mac Cumhaill and his band of soldiers the Fianna, appear to be set around the 3rd century in Gaelic Ireland and Scotland. The Stoor Worm, or Mester Stoor Worm, was a gigantic evil sea serpent in Orcadian folklore, capable of contaminating plants and destroying animals and humans with its putrid breath. Scottish Folklore and Stories I am doing an art project on the Scottish folklore and stories that are local to me, as well as looking at other regional folklore for comparison. Ultimately, we seek to utilise a strengthened engagement with fantasy to help the promotion and preservation of cultural heritage through the art of traditional storytelling with a 21st century twist. Since then, the myth of the Loch Ness Monster has magnified. This app will use audio, visual and written elements to immerse the user in a story as they make their way around real sites from Scottish folklore. Every land has its tales of dragons, but Scotland is an island country, bound to the sea. County Folk-Lore, vol. 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