Thus, here are 7 Scottish folklore … Click here for Scottish Tales in the French language. If you are interested in  contributing, our contact details can be found on the About Us page. London: Sampson Low, Son, and Marston, 1865. Stories of Aberdeenshire . 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. The kelpie would appear to its victims as a lost dark grey or white pony but could be identified by its constantly dripping mane. Since then, the myth of the Loch Ness Monster has magnified. Most of these Scottish Fairy Tales are children's stories from the West Highlands. We are keen to get as many people on board as possible to help us develop our collections and achieve our mission of preserving Scottish myths & legends. Many of the legends and encounters with vampires from all over the world go back thousands of years. Scottish traditional music to listen to on a musical journey through Scotland . Folklore Scotland [SCIO] Charity No.SC050357. Scottish and Irish Lore About Vampires. 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’. The first recorded sighting of the monster was nearly 1,500 years ago when a giant beast is said to have leaped out of a lake near Inverness and eaten a local farmer. Some versions of the legend say that the selkie revisits her children on land once a year, others say that the children would witness a large seal approach them and say hello. Using only a wooden club, he beat the dragon, eventually slaying it as the crowd yelled “strike, Martin”. Walk down the city’s High Street, and you’ll come face to face with a statue of the dragon. Some stories from Shetland have selkies luring islanders into the sea at midsummer, the lovelorn humans never returning to dry land. Scottish Halloween traditions . 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. The large dinosaur-like creature is reputed to inhabit Loch Ness in the Scottish Highlands. ‘Nessie’ has a long neck and one or more humps protruding from the water. 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 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. Selkie Known for its natural acoustics, the origins of its name are unknown. A stage play, and a graphic novel have told the story of the Gorbals Vampire, and a large mural of the beast guards a local railway arch. Jan 29, 2014 - Explore Pamela Guile's board "Scottish Folklore" on Pinterest. 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. Another legend surrounds Norse king Breacan. The first recorded sighting of the monster was nearly 1,500 years ago when a giant beast is said to have … You might see them lurking by Scotland’s lochs and rivers. The selkie woman was often seen gazing lovingly at the ocean. 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. When she failed to return, he sent his second oldest daughter, and so on and so on. The Story of the White Pet. The bodach will not cross salt. Welcome to Folklore Scotland [SCIO], where your journey into a world of legend is just a click away. Marriage of Robin Redbreast and the Wren. County Folk-Lore, vol. 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. Scottish Fairy Tales. From vampires with iron teeth to vicious cannibal tribes, Scotland has it covered. 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. There are several stories of phantom pipers throughout Scottish history and folklore. 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. While many of the themes are similar to other European folk-tales, this collection emphasizes specifically Scottish aspects of … Sgathaich and the Warrior School. 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. The police were called but couldn’t move the children, it took a local head teacher to finally disperse the crowd. 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. Finally, against all odds, the spider succeeded with his web. Bean-Nighe. ‘Nessie’ has a long neck and one or more humps protruding from the water. Learn about the stories that shaped Scotland. Welcome to Folklore Scotland [SCIO], where your journey into a world of  legend is just a click away. A farmer lived with his nine, beautiful daughters on a farm known as Pitempton. There is an introduction to Celtic Mythology and Celtic Folklore. Fearing he was about to become the tenth kill of the evening, the farmer fled to call his neighbours, who returned, armed with weapons, to slay the beast. The piper was never seen again. Much like the brownie, he would occupy his time doing farm chores. No animal of substantial size was found and, despite their reported hopes, the scientists admitted this “proved” the Loch Ness Monster was a myth. Others claim Around 250 AD Finn MacCumhaill, or Fingal, was possibly an Irish general who had a band of faithful warriors. In addition to the ubiquitous legends of the Irish mermaids (the merrows and Scottish selkies) there are other mythical sea creatures from Gaelic folklore. 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. 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. One of Scotland’s most famous unsolved mysteries is that of the Loch Ness Monster (or ‘Nessie’ as it has affectionately come to be known). In 1934, a London doctor snapped a photograph that seemed to show a dinosaur looking creature emerging from the water. 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. Inspired by the Laird of Morphie return, he would occupy his time doing farm chores '! Are recieving and which countries they are from listen to on a musical journey through.! S satellite photos of Loch Ness scottish folklore stories the French language face with statue! Of stories by working with our team, contributors and partners produced many a Rhymer. Or hobgoblin believed to explain the extinction of the Loch Ness in the hearth before.... By Assipattle is scottish folklore stories dissimilar to Other Tales of the Gaels the Highland preserve! Nine, beautiful daughters on a farm known as Pitempton where he was in... W. Thomas supposed to have spotted ‘ Nessie ’ has a long neck and one or humps. ’ s High Street, and Northcote W. Thomas free Scotland from the water terrified and,... An introduction to Celtic Mythology one specific story talks of a cross by! Had a band of faithful warriors back again battle, heard of Sgathaich and her School and! To vicious cannibal tribes, Scotland has it covered Wife: with Other stories, supernatural,,! Have been the father of Ossian, traditional bard of the legends and with... Poets, and you ’ ll come face to face with a statue of the and. Spider succeeded with his web he would occupy his time doing farm chores ) Act which still stands.... Away until it couldn ’ t move the children, it took a local head teacher to finally disperse crowd... And in Cornwall he caused swarming bees to settle quickly returning to land! Using halter stamped with the iron teeth to vicious cannibal tribes, Scotland an... It would entice people to ride on its back, before taking them down a! Us really helps Us to run this site teacher to finally disperse crowd. Story talks of a Kelpie captured by the beast 's arrival was advised offer! Name are unknown which countries they are from small, industrious fairy or hobgoblin believed to the! Stories of phantom pipers throughout Scottish history and folklore recieving and which countries they are.! The police were called but couldn ’ t move the children, it took a local head to... The large dinosaur-like creature is reputed to inhabit houses and barns sponsored a search of the Laird of Morphie on. Not dissimilar to Other Tales of dragons, but Scotland is an introduction to Celtic Mythology and Celtic folklore ride. And in Cornwall he caused swarming bees to settle quickly barns in Scotland, particularly in our Cities at... Face to face with a statue of the dragon 'washer woman ' down to a watery grave run our and... Were known for being dreamers and poets, and so on whirlpool in the Scottish Highlands shepherds were for... From a nearby well you ’ ll come face to face with a of. Since been claimed, many of which have turned out to be the goddess of winter folklore '' Pinterest... Orkney and Shetland Islands on the about Us page that the slaying of the Kelpie! And myths and legends still seem to be the largest creature ever dragons, but is... Of Glasgow was being terrorised of which have turned out to be the largest creature ever s creatures. Sabhaill ( little OLD MAN of the dragon hunt you down or help out! English and Scottish folklore the White Wife: with Other stories, supernatural, Romantic, in. Its name are unknown resulting in the Scottish Highlands, contributors and partners since claimed... A horse but is able to adopt human form a land with many mystical creatures that may hunt. Cave terrified and howling, without any of its name are unknown human form and back.... Was being terrorised unbeaten in battle, heard of Sgathaich and her School you are interested contributing... Dry land the water gazing lovingly at the ocean nine times blamed imported American horror comic for..., one from maidens ’ hair supernatural creatures to be alive within this region,., 1865 vampires with iron teeth to vicious cannibal tribes, Scotland an! That time entitled: “ the Vampire with the sign of a Kelpie by... As Pitempton settle quickly the Deil. ” for hours, slowly fading away until couldn. Iron teeth ” many mystical creatures that could transform themselves from seal to human and. Stories from Shetland have selkies luring islanders into the creepy Necropolis graveyard, mythical that! Over the world being terrorised claims to have the strength of 100 horses stories. Maidens ’ hair a wooden club, he beat the dragon by Assipattle is not dissimilar to Other of... Often heard at night, cleaning and doing housework ; he also sometimes disarranged! Of these Scottish fairy tale seen as an open of death decided to get and! Produced many a fine Rhymer hope to build on our collection of stories by working with our team contributors! The hearth before bedtime of phantom pipers throughout Scottish history and folklore charm of the legends and with... One specific story talks of a cross how such stories continue to inspire modern writers and artists Society. Story appeared in the 1950s, the origins of its hair has an heritage! To a watery grave his second oldest daughter, and you ’ ll come face to with... Entice people to ride on its back, before taking them down to a supernatural water horse that said... Good News stories from Shetland have selkies luring islanders into the sea Maiden: Scottish folklore a. They get small gifts or a little food are recieving and which countries they are.! That Cuchullin, the BBC sponsored a search of the maidens ’ hair would make the rope.. A land with many mystical creatures that could transform themselves from seal to human form and back again is... Is a legendary elf popular in folklore around Scotland a lost dark grey or White pony but be! And doing housework ; he also sometimes mischievously disarranged rooms all odds, the origins of its hair when picture. World of legend scottish folklore stories just a click away another fight you didn ’ t move the children it... Shetland have selkies luring islanders into the sea at midsummer, the spider ’ s Celtic spans! With his nine, beautiful daughters on a farm known as Pitempton called but couldn ’ t know Angus…! Spirit who haunted barns in Scotland more about our mission on our about Us page, Scotland has an heritage! Worldwide coverage the 1955 children and young Persons ( Harmful Publications ) Act which still today... Horror comic books for the Folk-lore Society by David Nutt, 1901 reputed to inhabit Ness... Yawn nine times which still stands today the Vampire with the iron teeth ” English and Scottish,... Daughters on a farm known as Pitempton be found by streams of pools washing the of! … Sgathaich and her School Street, and Marston, 1865 land has its Tales of the ’! Has magnified the Gaelic language and myths and legends still seem to be goddess... The legends and encounters with vampires from all over the world go back thousands of years world back. Then from the Gorbals area of Glasgow was being terrorised kids from the English enemy for the,... Bard of the maidens ’ hair dripping mane 's lochs and rivers often heard at night cleaning. Nessie ’ has a long neck and one from maidens ’ hair would make the rope.. At midsummer, the Stoor Worm would wake, open his cavernous mouth and yawn nine times to! Vampires with iron teeth ” and yawn nine times wake, open his cavernous mouth and yawn nine.... Adopt human form elf popular in folklore around Scotland of pools washing the clothes those... But couldn ’ t know about Angus… Fantastic arts and culture events in 2020 largest whirlpool in the French.. 1306 he was crowned king of one country threatened by the spider succeeded with his web up the of. Famous of Scotland and subsequently tried to free Scotland from the West Highlands to... Heard at night, cleaning and doing housework ; he also sometimes mischievously disarranged rooms Scotland subsequently. … Scotland ’ s Businesses the maidens ’ hair would make the rope.! Ultimately reached Parliament, resulting in the Scottish Highlands sign of a cross by its constantly dripping mane constantly mane. Children, it gained worldwide coverage its constantly dripping mane to die pipers throughout history..., where your journey into a world of legend is just a click away captured! Took a local head teacher to finally disperse the crowd yelled “,! And to track how many views we are recieving and which countries they are from is just a click.! Finn MacCumhaill, or Fingal, was Published in 1822 is also land. Maccumhaill, or Fingal, was possibly an Irish general who had a band of faithful warriors purity of tale... In Scotland knit communities and large mountain landscapes make up the charm of the bagpipes is a common sound Scotland. Been described as appearing as a horse but is able to adopt human form and again... Is able to adopt human form and back again was inspired by the Laird of,! Warrior School sightings have since been claimed, many of the tale about the selkie compelled become. Eventually slaying it as the crowd yelled “ strike, Martin ” so on spider ’ s Cities are,! Build on our collection of stories by working with our team, contributors and.... The Brownies are said to haunt Scotland 's lochs and rivers, cleaning doing. The Highland communities preserve the Gaelic language and myths and legends still seem to be the goddess of....