Thistle & Thyme

– Tales & Legends from Scotland –

“The tales and legends from Scotland collected together in Thistle and Thyme have been handed down by word of mouth, often for generations.
Many were passed on by seanachies, or wandering storytellers; others, called sgeulachdan, were composed to celebrate a special event, such as a wedding or betrothal, and recited before the assembled company.
‘The Bride Who Out-talked the Water Kelpie’ is a sgeulachdan which was handed down to the author by her grandfather, who was present at a wedding in Perthshire where it was told.
Sometimes a story has links with historical fact, such as ‘The Daughter of King Ron’, a legend of Clan Donald, but many are stories of simpler people, told round the fire in farms and cottages. These, like ‘The Changeling and the Fond Young Mother’, are true folk-tales,  full of action and humour, but never far from that mysterious Otherworld which forms a constant background to Celtic tales. …”