The Scottish Folklore Podcast

62. Murder Most Foul

Scottish folklore can be very dark and in this episode Jenny uncovers some of the bloodier folktales that lurk in the lore. From grim tales for children, to cold blooded

61. Harvest: Maidens, Black Magic and More

The Autumn Equinox has just passed and harvest in Scotland is well underway. This was an incredibly important time of year, where no risk was taken that might compromise

60. Brownies: Hairy Little Household Helpers

Brownies are odd little folkloric spirits who help out around the house purely because they like to. But be warned, they are as easy to please as they are to lose, and ta

59. Rannoch: Changelings, Clans, and The Second Sight

Rannoch is a thin place, an area where the veil between our world and the Other World is said to be rather raggedy, and all sorts of strange things can pass between. Lyi

58. The Blue Men of The Minch

The poetry-slinging, storm-bringing Blue Men of The Minch are only found in one place in Scotland, the strait of water between the Outer Hebrides in the west and the main

57. The Midge: Scotland’s Most Vicious Predator

The blasted, buzzing, biting midge is the most vicious predator in all of Scotland. One alone is not much to worry about, but they rarely come alone! In this episode Jenn

56. The Loch Ness Monster and St Columba

It’s time for a monster hunt! The Loch Ness Monster is perhaps the most famous Scot in the world, yet despite her renown she’s a very shy girl. The vast majority of sight

55. The Fairy Folk of Skye

The Isle of Skye is home to not only some of the most enchanting views in the world, but also a whole host of fairies!  In this episode Jenny visits some of  these fairi

54. Dog Tales: Folklore of our Furry Four Legged Friends

There are many tales, and indeed tails, of dogs in Scottish folklore, and in this episode Jenny tells as many as she can in half an hour - which is a surprising amount! 

53. The Sea Mither: The Battle for Spring and The Dreaded Nuckelavee

The Sea Mither is the Orcadian sea deity who brings the calm waters, warm weather, and bounty of spring and summer. But this is no easy feat, for first she must battle Te

52. Will o’ the Wisps

Sometimes called Spunkies, other times Will o’ the Wisps, whatever the name, these fiery spirits are always up to no good. And by no good I mean straight up bog-induced m

51. Corp Creadha: Scottish Voodoo Dolls and Black Magic

This episode sees Jenny exploring the mysterious and often malicious dark magic of Corp Creadha, or Clay Bodies. These are Scotland’s version of voodoo dolls, and althoug

50. Waterfalls: Wailing Spirits, Weird Rituals, and Suspicious Whistles

The folktales are cascading in this episode as Jenny gets drenched under the waterfall lore of Scotland! First she explores the strange and sad folklore of the wailing C

49. Tam o’ Shanter

It’s Burns Night! On the 25th of January Scots all over the world come together to celebrate the life and works of the Bard himself, Rabbie Burns, and so in this episode

48. Omens: Good, Bad, Worse and BIRDS!

Learn how to tell the future the old fashioned way! The natural world is teeming with messages about things to come; from bats, to boats, to just about every bird there i

47. Christmas Time Tales

Yuletide is for feasting, festivities, and fireside stories! In this episode Jenny tells two traditional Christmas time tales, ‘Dancing in the Fairy Knoll’ from Glen Etiv

Scottish Yuletide and Hogmanay Traditions [Re-Release]

Join Jenny as she explores some of the many Yuletide and Hogmanay traditions, customs, rituals, and rites that have been practised in Scotland over the millennia. From an

46. Assipattle and the Mester Stoorworm

This is one of Scotland’s greatest wonder tales - it is a story of gargantuan proportions, tremendous sacrifice, and unlikely heroes. It comes from Orkney in the far nort

45. Origins of the Selkie Folk

Seals under the waves, humans upon the shore, selkies are some of Scotland’s most well loved folkloric beings, and for good reason too, for their beautiful eyes and gentl

44. Cailleach Beira: The Ancient Hag Deity of Winter

Mountain builder, bone singer, bringer of winter, the Cailleach Beira is a Hag unto her own. Join Jenny in this episode as she tells many tales of the giant blue-faced de