The Brownie's Coat He leapt off the horse outside the house of the mid-wife and banged upon her door. Upon answering the mid-wife.... Words by David WhiteIllustration by Linley Barba The brownie is a creature most dear to the hearts of the great Scottish families, for while shaggy, short and…
Scotland's first-footing Tradition Tradition asks for a very particular type of first-footer: dark haired men are preferred. By Rebecca Brown Scotland claims many traditions around Hogmanay, from crossing hands and singing Auld Lang Syne, to partying until the bells and beyond. One of the most interesting, however, is the notion of first-footing. …
The White Cow of Lewis Aine growing short of food, like much of the island had been forced to sacrifice her cow for which she depended on for milk.... By David White Callanish, a series of towering megaliths which have stood proud on a hill against powerful winds battering against…
The Kelpie's Chimney A legend, still told around Scottish fires to this day although the origin is lost in time, speaks of a Kelpie which lived in Loch Garve... Words by David White Illustration by Linley Barba It is known by many that a Kelpie is a wily beast. It…
The Legends of Heather Ale From the bonny bells of heather They brewed a drink long-syne, Was sweeter far than honey... By David White The legend of Heather Ale has numerous incarnations across both the Mull of Galloway and over the Irish sea. All are similar in that they speak…
The Battle of the Birds There was once a farmer who was seeking a servant, and the wren met him and said... By Joseph Jacobs There was once a farmer who was seeking a servant, and the wren met him and said: "What are you seeking?""I am seeking a servant,"…
Mill o' Tifty's Annie My heart was broken first by love, Noo my brither's broke my body. By Francis James Child At Mill o' Tifty liv'd a man, In the neighbourhood of Fyvie; He had a lovely daughter fair, Was called bonny Annie. Her bloom was like the springing flower…
Thomas the Rhymer He leapt off the horse outside the house of the mid-wife and banged upon her door. Upon answering the mid-wife.... By Charles John Tibitts Written 1890 Illustration by Linley Barba As Thomas lay on Huntly Bank (a place on the descent of the Eildon Hills, which raise…
The Laird of Balmachie's Wife In the olden times, when it was the fashion for gentlemen to wear swords, the Laird of Balmachie went one day to Dundee, leaving his wife at home ill in bed... By Charles John Tibbitts The Laird of Balmachie's Wife is a short tale that deals…
The Witch of Laggan As the hunter sat listening to the howling storm as it whistled by, there entered at the door an apparently poor weather-beaten cat, shivering with cold.... By George Douglas A hero, celebrated for his hatred of witchcraft, was warming himself in his hunting hut, in the…