Stories of Scotland

Clootie Well & the Well of Witchcraft

In this episode, Annie and Jenny take a deep dive into some of the many mystical wells dotted all over Scotland. They visit the Munlochy Clootie Well, one of the largest of its kind in Scotland and unpick it’s pagan and Christian past, while also looking at the continuation of age-old traditions in the modern-day. Many wells are believed to have magical properties and what better way to explore these than with a witch trial! A fairy well on Arthurs’s seat in Edinburgh healed many but ended in the death of one unfortunate woman accused of witchcraft. Annie and Jenny explore what wells can tell us about Scottish culture throughout time. Listen in to find out more about both these wells and as well as Annie’s favorite well, The Burghead Well, and Jenny’s favourite well, The Cheese Well.

Bonus: Summer Solstice in Scotland

In this bonus episode we look at the traditions surrounding the longest day of the year in Scotland. From the borders to the Shetland islands, the people of Scotland have celebrated the summer solstice for thousands of years. Jumping fires, burning bones, and warding of fairies, trolls and ghosts - the solstice is a time of light and celebration - listen in to find out more!

Illicit Whisky & the Shebeen

In this episode, Annie and Jenny enter the dark and mysterious world of the shebeen - the illegal Scottish whisky house! The shebeen was at the heart of whisky smuggling and illegal distilling in rural Scotland. We discover this almost-lost shadow of the whisky industry. We hear the intriguing tale of Eppie “Lucky” Thane, the hundred-year-old woman who ran a successful shebeen in Glen Nochty. From illegal distilling of whisky in the glens while avoiding the taxman, to smuggling the water of life into towns around Scotland this episode explores all corners of the illegal whisky trade in Scotland.

Bonus: Miniature Sea & Loch Myths

Enjoy two of the misfit legends found Jenny & Annie as they researched Scottish coasts and waters. Jenny recalls a story of a strange folktale of a ghost ship from the mysterious Blawhooly Bay in the Scottish borders. Ghosts, ghouls, fairies and sea-beasts anchor their ship one dark night in order to kidnap a midwife.
Whereas Annie brings a story from oral history which tells of a mischievous kelpie who lived in Strathnairn, just south of Inverness.
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Smoo Cave: Unexpected Love & Sutherland Demons on the North Coast 500

In this episode, Annie and Jenny visit the magnificent Smoo Cave, a favourite on the North Coast 500 and a place that is dear to both. Join them in their expedition deep under the cliffs of the North West Coast to discover how love formed the caves, and evil has lived in them! From a dastardly murderer to a wee man in a box, Smoo Cave is packed with stories from the past, both real and mythological.

Witches of the Waves

This episode explores the relationship between witches and water in mythology, folklore and a historical witch trial.
Annie and Jenny read the 1644 witch trial of Marion Peebles, a woman from Shetland accused of witchcraft. The trial of Marion Peebles gives a unique and intriguing insight into the superstitions of Shetland in the 17th Century.
Next, Jenny retells the marvellous tale of the cannibalistic Cailleach of Arran, a sailor-eating giant who is foiled by a cunning French fisher. In the past, this story was considered vulgar and so was only told out on the open sea by sailors.
Returning to Shetland, we look at the folklore of a witch of Yell, who had a vendetta against a sailor and used her sea-powers to punish him.

Blue Men of the Minch

Jenny and Annie head to sea to explore the legends of the Blue Men of the Minch: supernatural men who are said to inhabit the strip of sea from the Outer Hebrides to the west coast of mainland Scotland. Jenny and Annie look at different tales taken from oral tradition and think about what these strange wee creatures from folklore tell us about the nautical culture of the Hebrides. Celebrating Scotland’s coasts and waters in a lighthearted look at mythology.

Grey Mare’s Tail Waterfall: The Devil and the Rock

In this episode we explore deep time in an investigation into the geology and history of the Grey Mare’s Tail, a spectacular waterfall and nature reserve in Dumfries. Jenny looks into how creatures from 500 million years ago, found at the Grey Mare’s Tail, sent seismic waves through the geologic community. Annie uncovers a surreal tale of 17th century Covenanters seeking refuge and hiding at the Grey Mare’s Tail only to confront their worst nightmares. Also, a place of feral goats.

Anthrax Island: Gruinard Clearances & Deadly Experiments

Jenny and Annie find stories of Gruinard Island, a small island just off the West Coast of the Scottish. From this one little piece of land, they uncover harrowing and painful stories of the Highland Clearances.
They discuss the kelp processing industry on the Western Isles and the impact it had on crofting communities. They learn about an unsympathetic landlord and the strife of tenants.
Next, they go into the dark history of Second World War biological weapon testing on the island. They ask how could an island be left with deadly anthrax for decades in the midst of idyllic scenery. Jenny looks into Dark Harvest Commandos who fought for the British Government to decontaminate Gruinard.
This episode ties together controversial land management decisions, past and present.
Please be advised this episode discusses government testing of biological weapons on livestock.

Mermaids of Scotland: Dangers of the Deep Sea

Jenny and Annie explore the everlasting legend of mermaids to celebrate coastlines, seas and lochs. They share incredible mermaid folklore curated by a traditional storyteller from Caithness to learn about the significance of mermaids to Scotland’s culture. Jenny reads poetry inspired by the lands-under-the-sea written by a fisherman’s son from Shetland. Annie examines mermaid artefacts from the Scottish Fisheries Museum and National Museums Scotland.
They also discuss selkies, the mythological half-seal half-human creatures. Kyle returns to sing a couple of verses from the traditional Scots ballad Lady Odivere.