#scottishfolklore

[blairstales]

How To Get Free Books On Folklore

I do not believe in gatekeeping knowledge, so this post will be sharing how I get all my folklore books for free, legally.

To explain, when a book gets over a certain age and the copyright is not upkept, it falls under “public domain.” When that happens, many different websites will provide those books as a free download.

This is not restricted to one type of book, either. You can grab anything from Sherlock Holmes to history books, to folklore, and more.

If you are looking for a specific book, you may have to check more than one source, so I suggest bookmarking more than one website.

Example Websites:

Internet Archive

Project Gutenberg

Google Books

Open Library

Electric Scotland (Scottish books)

Sacred Texts

National Library of Scotland: Ossain Collection

Forgotten Books

Hathitrust

For me when I download a book, I then upload them to my Google library so that I can use the search functions as well as bring up the books anywhere, but a popular PC option isCalibre.

If you are interested in Scotland-specific folklore, I do have some suggestions of books you can start with.

Scottish Folklore Books:

(link) A Dictionary of Fairies: Hobgoblins, Brownies, Bogies, and Other Supernatural Creatures by Katharine Briggs (1976)

(link) Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs by James M. Mackinlay (1893)

(link) Superstitions of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland by John Gregorson Campbell (1900)

(link) The Peat-Fire Flame: Folk-Tales and Traditions of the Highlands and Islands by Alasdair Alpin MacGregor (1937)

(link) Notes on Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland by Walter Gregor, M.A. (1881)

(link) The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries by W.Y. Evans-Wentz (1911)

(link) Witchcraft and Superstitious Record in the South-Western District of Scotland by J. Maxwell Wood (1911)

(link) Witchcraft & Second Sight in the Highlands & Islands of Scotland by John Gregorson Campbell (1902)

(link) Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs by James M. Mackinlay (1893)

(link) Folk-Lore From The West of Ross-Shire by C.M. Robertson (1908)

(link) The Fairy Mythology / Illustrative of the Romance and Superstition of Various Countries by Thomas Keightley (1850)

(link) Popular Tales of the West Highlands by John Francis Campbell (1862)

(link) Scottish Fairy and Folk Tales by Sir George Douglas

(link) The Scottish Fairy Book By Elizabeth W. Grierson (1918)

(link)

(link) Popular Superstitions of the Highlands By W Grant Stewart (1823)

#folklore #mythology #myths #lore #scottish folklore #ScottishFolklore #scottish mythology #history #witchcraft #folk magic #folkmagic #paganism #scottish paganism #ResearchResources

[fadingoftheveil]

Brownies are a type of fairy in folklore that will help you with your chores in exchange for gifts of food. Some locations in Scotland also ensured to set out a small stool or shelf by the fire for the brownie to sit by.

They wear very worn clothes, but if you offer them any new clothes, they will be insulted and leave.

Learn more about the folklore of brownies here.

For my drawing, I added:

Lynx ears

Hyena nose

Cat eyes

They are commonly just described as little men or women, but I wanted to add a bit more of a supernatural feel to their designs.

Note: I do understand my drawings (this and future) may not match the real-life folklore, but since this is for a complete work of fiction, I let my imagination go wild.

#fairy #fae #brownie #brownies #broonie #broonies #folklore #scottishfolklore #mythology

[greedyourokld]

The Life Guard. TW: Drowning and horror.

-

Something a little different... something a little scary...

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I love Scottish Folklore and ever since I first heard of them, my brain has been fixated on the kelpies! It actually came to me while swimming that 'Hmm... what if the Life Guard was a kelpie... that'd be bad - for us... Highly convenient for them!' An easy meal really - oh nooo... someone's drowning... how awful... I guess I'll just have to take the free meal!

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The kelpie is a creature from Scottish Folklore that appears at the side of lochs either as a white or grey horse. Once they have successfully persuaded an unsuspecting person to climb onto their back, they will dive into the water, dragging the person down with them. Kelpies also sometimes appear as beautiful maidens, luring young men to their cold, watery graves. Once drowned and left a while the kelpie will then come back and feast on their rotting flesh!... aka, not something you would want as a life guard.

-

So, what do you think of my spooky comic? Would you like me to make more spooky content?

#spooky #spookyart #comicart #comic #comicartist #horror #scottishfolklore #Kelpies #loch #drowning #oc #orignalcomic #horrorcomic #illustration #cartoon #queerartist #neurodivergentartist #comicstyle #myart #ukartist #cartoonist

[loiteog]

"I am a man upon the land, I am a selkie in the sea, and when I'm far frae every strand, my dwelling is in Sule Skerry"

https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/66924?l=en

#the great selkie #the grey selkie #selkie #fae #scottishfolklore #folklore #ballads

[ailishsinclair]

A Fairy Bridge, Glen, Castle and a Priest Stone. All on #Skye. More info (working link in story) https://ailishsinclair.com/2022/06/over-the-sea-to-the-fairies/ #fairies #scotland #castles #bridges #folklore #folklorethursday #scottishfolklore (at Fairy Bridge) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cfa2mivLI93/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#skye #fairies #scotland #castles #bridges #folklore #folklorethursday #scottishfolklore

[robert-1968]

Goedemorgen vrienden en volgers, dit zijn natuurlijk de #kelpies, deze bezochten we tijdens onze vakantie naar #schotland. Kan weer #afgevinkt worden. #kelpie #ig_visitscotland #kunst #ode #kunstwerk #helixproject #falkirk #thekelpies #visitscotland #art #publicart #thekelpies #kelpies #andyscottsculpture #hiddenscotland #talesofscotland #myths #scottishfolklore #sunset #kelpiesofinstagram #kelpiesofficial (bij Falkirk Stadium, Helix Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgBbJvvK0Eu/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#kelpies #schotland #afgevinkt #kelpie #ig_visitscotland #kunst #ode #kunstwerk #helixproject #falkirk #thekelpies #visitscotland #art #publicart #andyscottsculpture #hiddenscotland #talesofscotland #myths #scottishfolklore #sunset #kelpiesofinstagram #kelpiesofficial

[mattievictoria]

Happy Halloween everyone! 🎃🧡 I hope you have a spooky and safe night! #scottishfolklore #catsìth

#cat síth #Scottish folklore #Celtic folklore #Halloween #Halloween art

[mschmdtphotography]

The Sight of Heather

Book Title: The Sight of Heather Author: Ally Stirling Publication Date: September 15th, 2023 Publisher: Author Ally Stirling Page Length: 338 Genre: Historical Women’s Fiction / Scottish Folklore Twitter Handle: @authorAllyS @cathiedunn Instagram Handle: @authorallystirling @thecoffeepotbookclub Hashtags: #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #ScottishFolklore #BlogTour #CPBC…

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[coloursofunison]

I'm delighted to welcome Ally Stirling and her new book, The Sight of Heather to the blog #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #ScottishFolklore #BlogTour #CPBC #TheCoffeePotBookClub 

I'm delighted to welcome Ally Stirling and her new book, The Sight of Heather to the blog #HistoricalFiction #WomensFiction #ScottishFolklore #BlogTour #CPBC #TheCoffeePotBookClub @authorAllyS @cathiedunn @authorallystirling @thecoffeepotbookclub

I’m delighted to welcome Ally Stirling and her new book, The Sight of Heather to the blog with a snippet from the book. Snippet Her mind emptied as she breathed in the aroma of white heather still hanging in the air from making Jessie’s dress. The stones warmed. Sitting cross-legged, she let her body sway before slipping into weightlessness. Time stood still as her surroundings melted into the…

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#Ally Stirling #Blog Tour #New Release #The Coffee Pot Book Club #The Sight of Heather

[authorlauren]

Kilts and Catnip: The Shrouded Isle Book 1

Who doesn't want to read book where one of the main characters is a cute cat? As a mother of three cats, I couldn't refuse. Check out my review for Kilts and Catnip by Zoe Tasia. #bookreview #scottishfolklore #indieauthors #readingcommunity #romance

Who doesn’t want to read book where one of the main characters is a cute cat? As a mother of three cats, I couldn’t refuse. Something fishy is going on around a mysterious island located just off the mainland of Scotland and a widowed mother of two might be the cause for all the shenanigans. Check out my review for Kilts and Catnip by Zoe Tasia. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 4 out of 5. This is the first book…

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#book review #book series #fantasy #indieauthors #reading #Romance #scottish folklore #writing #writingcommunity #zerotohero

[nj-stone]

Scottish Spirit Animals - Scottish animal folklore #scottishfolklore https://youtu.be/-uyJa75l3SU via @YouTube

#youtube

[blairstales]

Fairy Deer 🦌

While some fairy folk in Scottish folklore were said to have Fairy Cows, for much of Scotland, the fairies instead raised fairy deer.

“Everywhere in the Highlands, the red-deer are associated with the Fairies, and in some districts, as Lochaber and Mull, are said to be their only cattle.” Superstitions of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland by John Gregorson Campbell (1900)

The fairies would milk and tend to these deer carefully, and would punish humans for killing a deer.

“When a dead deer is carried home at night the Fairies lay their weight on the bearer’s back, till he feels as if he had a house for a burden. On a penknife, however, being stuck in the deer it becomes very light.” Superstitions of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland by John Gregorson Campbell (1900)

There are also some fairies that are said to transform into deer (which is not to be confused with a Baobhan Sith, which has the legs of a deer, but the upper body of a woman). In these stories, a fairy is in the guise of a deer.

“In their transformations it was peculiar for the Fairy women to assume the shape of the red-deer, and in that guise they were often encountered by the hunter. “ Superstitions of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland by John Gregorson Campbell (1900)

Historic Audio Recordings:

(link) This song is a fairy lullaby. The composer sees a big strong man passing by with a bow and arrow, and is afraid that he will kill the mother of the young one to whom she sings.According to tradition, the composer was singing to a young deer

(link) This song belongs to the fairy song tradition and was used as a milking song or lullaby. Colin's cattle referred to in the song are the deer.

(link) Ailean Donn spent a year hiding in a cave. He was looked after by a woman who herded the deer. She later saw him in Glasgow, dressed like a gentleman. When she spoke to him, he said she had mistaken him for someone else.

English: Woman carrying a bouquet in the woods, with deer beside her. Date: 1920 Source: The Book of Fairy Poetry

#fairy #scottish folklore #scottishfolklore #mythology #folklore #fairies #scottish mythology #fae #fairytypes #fairy deer #fairydeer #ScottishFairies #Faeries #faery #faerie #MiscScottishFairies

[mermaidlore11]

Merrow - Ireland/Scotland

A merman or mermaid  who needs a magical cap to transition from deep water to dry land. During the time of ancient Celts, Merrow were described as beatiful women who were swimming in the sea. The surface of the water hid the tails of these supernatural creatures. Sailors and fishermen found the merrows irresistible, especially when they would comb their hair. Merrow applies to both male and female of the species, and they were said reside in Tir fo Thuinn, or The Land beneath the Waves. 

Merrow men were said to be so ugly that female Merrows would not take them as mates. Not as much is known about the male merrow, except that they were said to be jealous and envious of humans appearances and they were lonely so they would take the souls of drowned sailors and keep them captive under the sea in revenge. 

Female Merrow however were beautiful and preferred the company of human men. In order to keep the female merrow on land it was said that the human needed to take the cap of the merrow before they were enchanted by the song or held captive underneath the sea. The cap holds the power of the merrow and allows them to live under the ocean. 

Written accounts of merrow luring Irishmen to their deaths occur all the way back to the ancient Annuals of Ireland. Legend suggests that at Killone Abbey in Country Clare, an Merrow swam up to the cellars to steal wine, she was caught and killed, but before she died, she dragged herself back to the lake and every 40 years the lake turns red as a reminder. 

In the 1960s there was a report of a sighting of a Merrow woman in Kilconly Point, Kerry. In 1936 there was a reported sighting of two Merrow men in Renvyle County Galway. Martin Heanue and Thomas Regan were approached by a bearded Merrow who attempted to grab their scabbard, one of the fishermen went to hit the Merrow when the other stopped him, there is a superstition that if you hit a merrow with your oar you would die within the year. 

In some folklore tales, the Merrow were said to have webbed feet and green flowing hair, they sang beautiful songs, but not to lure sailors to their watery deaths, but to be entranced by their voices, for love. 

Catch of the Merrow

By Tomas O Carthaigh

The waves in time give up the sight

Of the Merrows catch that fishes at night,

The tears that washes the faces with grief,

Wash them anew bittersweet relief

At least their flesh is among their own again

To be laid with forefathers and remembered then,

The Merrows of life misfortune or folly

Or pressures too great for a person to carry

No creature is it as once believed to be

Still the Merrow takes her share to the waves

Of the Sea.

https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/the-irish-folklore-of-the-celtic-merrow

https://symbolsage.com/the-merrow-mythology/

#Merrow #Mermaids #Mermen #Folklore #Irishfolklore #Ireland #Scotland #Scottishfolklore #mythology #Irish mythology #Scottish mythology #Merfolk

[stregatadallupo]

old glass fishing net floats were used by folk in the highlands and islands for 'crystal-gazing', the object would be placed on a bed of heather and looked through to see visions... @coastandpine collected & boxed this one beautifully as a gift for the full moon in october 🌿🔮

#crystalball #crystalgazing #scrying #highlandlore #sealore #scottishseaglass #folklore #scottishfolklore #tradition #history #fishingnetfloat #winter #gift #fullmoon

[helenmask]

Tam Lin is one of my favorite stories, and when I was little I was given the illustrated version retold by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Charles Mikolaycak. I love it. In college for a book illustration class, we were asked to bring in our favorite book from childhood I brought in Tam Lin. My professor (the head of the department) told me no child would ever pick that book and then proceed to look at my art and tell me I was a bad artist and I should quit. It devastated me. So I kept drawing, and looking at all those books I loved as a child to inspire me. Make art because it makes you happy ❤️ Mary #artist #artistsoninstagram #artwork #illustration #sketch #drawing #doodle #wip #artnouveau #mucha #alphonsemucha #helenmask #pdxart #pdxartist #pnwart #pnwartist #tamlin #scottishfolklore #folklore #mythology #ballad #fey #faries https://www.instagram.com/p/B_YAJ2nAxbe/?igshid=tntn3yhes5zz

#artist #artistsoninstagram #artwork #illustration #sketch #drawing #doodle #wip #artnouveau #mucha #alphonsemucha #helenmask #pdxart #pdxartist #pnwart #pnwartist #tamlin #scottishfolklore #folklore #mythology #ballad #fey #faries

[ailishsinclair]

Some witch stones for #standingstonesunday In Forres: the Witches Stone and the Sueno’s Stone, the second said to have witches trapped within it. Then in #Aberdeenshire, the Hanging Stone near Rosehearty and the Witch Stone of Witchhill, both places of execution. #witches #standingstones #witchstones #folklore #scotland #witchcraft #stones #scottishfolklore (at Forres, Moray, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfifOvLoNVJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#standingstonesunday #aberdeenshire #witches #standingstones #witchstones #folklore #scotland #witchcraft #stones #scottishfolklore