What secrets lie within Scotland's ancient folklore? Graeme Johncock, author of Scotland Stories: Historic Tales for Incredible Places joins us on episode 60 as we discover the magic, myths, and legends of Scotland. Graeme delves into the unique aspects of Scotland's storytelling traditions, from the influence of historical events like the Highland Clearances to the intriguing lore surrounding witches, stone circles, kelpies and mysterious lochs. We explore Celtic mythology, and the connection with Scottish and Irish folklore. We discuss King James VI's book Demonology and influence on witch hunts in Scotland and around the world. This is an episode you won't want to miss!
Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scotlands_stories/
Website: https://scotlands-stories.com/
Book: https://a.co/d/dwUf1rv
Youtube: @scotlandsstories626
Notes:
• Graeme's background: Started sharing stories on social media during lockdown
• Scottish folklore: Less known to Scottish children compared to international stories
• 🏴 Scottish Folklore and Storytelling (11:23 - 21:20)
• Oral storytelling tradition in Scotland tied to specific places
• Highland Clearances impacted storytelling traditions
• Story collectors in the 18th-19th centuries preserved tales
• Kelpies: Shape-shifting water spirits in Scottish folklore
• Different versions of Kelpie stories: benevolent vs. malevolent
• 🧙♀️ Scottish Witches and History (21:20 - 31:24)
• Scotland's unique relationship with witchcraft
• King James VI's influence on witch hunts
• Demonology book by King James VI
• Witch trials in Scotland: larger scale than Salem
• True story of Lilias Adie, accused of witchcraft
• 🧚 Celtic Mythology and Gaelic Stories (31:26 - 41:13)
• Napoleon's interest in Celtic mythology
• Ossian's tales and James MacPherson's influence
• Connection between Scottish and Irish folklore
• Influence of the Presbyterian Church on storytelling
• Story of Fingal (Finn McCool) and the Giant's Causeway
• 📚 Scottish Folklore and Literature (41:13 - 49:24)
• Graeme's book: 'Scotland Stories: Historic Tales for Incredible Places'
• Travel companion aspect of the book
• Private tours offered by Graeme
• Edinburgh's rich folklore and hidden stories
• Glasgow's limited folklore compared to Edinburgh
• 🗿 Stone Circles and Ancient Monuments (49:24 - 57:41)
• Stone circles found throughout Scotland, not just Highlands
• Theories about stone circles' purposes
• Callanish Standing Stones used in Outlander
• Maeshowe on Orkney: impressive chambered cairn
• Winter solstice phenomenon at Maeshowe
• 🐉 Loch Ness and Other Mysterious Lochs (57:41 - 01:07:19)
• Loch Ness: Impressive size and depth
• Loch Morar: Deeper than Loch Ness with its own monster legend
• Theories about underground passages connecting lochs
• 🧚♀️ Scottish Fairy Tales and Folklore (01:07:19 - 01:16:06)
• Scottish version of Cinderella: 'Rashin Coatie'
• Importance of cows in Scottish folklore
• Fairy godmother replaced by fairy god-cow in Rashin Coatie
• Similarities and differences between Rashin Coatie and t
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