Folk-Lore and Legends: Scotland

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Folk-Lore and Legends: Scotland

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

A collection of Scottish folklore first published in 1889, this volume captures the rugged grandeur of the Highlands and Borders through tales of fairies, brownies, and prophecies. Blending supernatural terror with pastoral charm, the book offers a vivid glimpse into the ancient superstitions and character of the Scottish mind, shaped by its dramatic natural surroundings.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled from various sources and attributed to an anonymous author, *Folk-Lore and Legends: Scotland* presents a rich tapestry of Scottish legends deeply rooted in the nation's rugged landscape. The anthology opens with the tale of Canobie Dick, a reckless horse-dealer who encounters the mysterious Thomas of Ercildoun. Forced to choose between a sword and a horn in a cavern of black-armored knights, Dick succumbs to cowardice, blowing the horn first and meeting a tragic end. Another prominent figure is Coinnach Oer, the "Isaiah of the North," a prophet who receives supernatural foreknowledge from a voice in the air. He predicts the decline of the Highlands but flees in terror when his own prophecy turns against him, leading to the displacement of Highlanders. The narrative of Thomas the Rhymer details his seven-year sojourn in Elfland, where he is transformed into a truth-teller after a fateful encounter with a fairy queen. Throughout the collection, the nature of fairies is explored; they are depicted as capricious beings inhabiting green hills who cause mischief, such as stealing cattle or borrowing horses. Tales like "The Seal-Catcher's Adventure" reveal that seals are actually fairies in disguise, while "The Death 'Bree'" recounts a woman's courageous journey to retrieve a skull from a graveyard to cure her cattle. The stories consistently reflect the influence of the environment, from the Eildon Hills to the deep mountain lochs, illustrating how the severe and terrible nature of the Scottish terrain shaped local superstitions. The fairies, brownies, and bogles are clothed in the national dress of the hills and streams, mirroring the solemn influence of the moors and the dark face of the lochs. The book captures the distinctive features of Scotch folk-lore, where the acquaintance with nature in a severe, grand, and somewhat terrible form leaves an indelible impress on the human mind, distinguishing these beings from their Irish counterparts while maintaining a unique national character.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/anonymous-authors_folk-lore-and-legends-scotland.epub

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Categories

• Folklore