Narrative Summary of Folk-Lore and Legends: Scotland

Overview:

This text is a collection of Scottish folk tales and legends. I found myself transported to a world of fairies, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures, where nature is powerful and mysterious. These stories reveal the deep-seated superstitions of the Scottish people and their beliefs about the unseen world. They offer a glimpse into how the Scottish people have interacted with and understood the forces beyond their control.

Main Parts:

The text is divided into various sections, each focusing on a different legend or tale:

“Canobie Dick and Thomas of Ercildoun”: This story tells of a horse-cowper who encounters the legendary Thomas the Rhymer in a supernatural cave filled with black horses and armored knights. Dickon’s lack of courage leads to his demise, highlighting the importance of bravery in the face of the unknown.
“Coinnach Oer”: This tale centers around a Highland prophet who gains the gift of foresight after discovering magical stones. The prophecy he makes regarding the fate of the Highland people, linked to a specific combination of individuals from different clans, is considered to have foreshadowed the Highland clearances.
“Elphin Irving”: This romantic and tragic story recounts the tale of a young man, Elphin Irving, who is taken by fairies and ultimately lost to his sister, Phemie. It explores the theme of the fairies’ power over mortals and the strength of a sister’s love.
“The Ghosts of Craig-Aulnaic”: Here, a shepherd, James Gray, intervenes in the conflict between two ghosts, Clashnichd and Ben Baynac. James’ bravery and marksmanship ultimately save Clashnichd, showcasing the theme of protecting the vulnerable from supernatural harm.
“The Doomed Rider”: This story focuses on a kelpie (water spirit) who warns a man of his imminent demise. The tale highlights the danger of defying supernatural warnings and the power of folklore to shape the lives of those who believe in its truth.
“Whippety Stourie”: This amusing story centers around a woman who cannot spin, a skill her husband demands of her. She encounters a group of fairies who help her trick her husband, demonstrating the clever use of folklore and the power of a woman’s resourcefulness.
“The Weird of the Three Arrows”: This story follows Sir James Douglas, a fierce warrior known as the “Black Douglas,” as he fights against the English. A woman’s curse on the arrows that killed her sons manifests itself through the breaking of the arrows and the subsequent deaths of the English soldiers who wielded them.
“The Laird of Balmachie’s Wife”: This tale highlights the power of fairies to kidnap humans. The laird of Balmachie rescues his wife from the fairies but discovers that the woman he rescued was a fairy imposter, who was ultimately driven out of his home.
“Michael Scott”: This tale focuses on a man who gains magical powers after encountering a serpent. He uses these powers to build bridges and engage in various supernatural exploits, showcasing the theme of the dangers of dabbling in forbidden knowledge.
“The Minister and the Fairy”: This story explores the theme of repentance and redemption. A minister encounters a fairy who seeks his guidance regarding the fate of his kind on Judgment Day.
“The Fisherman and the Merman”: This tale focuses on a fisherman who encounters a group of merfolk and steals a merwoman’s seal skin. He is eventually forced to return the skin to ensure the merwoman can return to her world. It explores the potential consequences of interfering with the natural world.
“The Laird O’ Co’”: This story recounts how a tiny boy helps a laird escape from prison, showcasing the concept of repaying kindness and the unexpected power of small, seemingly insignificant individuals.
“Ewen of the Little Head”: This tale revolves around a Highland laird who is defeated in battle because his wife did not provide him with food unasked. The story focuses on the consequences of disobedience, the loyalty of a ghost, and the enduring power of superstition.
“Jock and his Mother”: This humorous tale follows a man who repeatedly fails to learn lessons from his mother’s advice. Despite his failures, he ultimately succeeds in making his wife laugh, demonstrating the power of perseverance and the importance of humor in a challenging world.
“Saint Columba”: This story highlights the power of faith and the spread of Christianity. Saint Columba’s miraculous deeds convert many people to the new faith.
“The Mermaid Wife”: This tale focuses on a man who falls in love with a mermaid after stealing her seal skin. The woman eventually recovers her skin and returns to the sea, highlighting the danger of love between the human and the supernatural.
“The Fiddler and the Bogle of Bogandoran”: This story tells of a fiddler who repeatedly encounters a bogle (a mischievous spirit) and ultimately defeats it. It showcases the power of music to overcome supernatural adversaries and the bravery of facing one’s fears.
“Thomas the Rhymer”: This story recounts the tale of a Scottish poet who is taken to Elfland by a beautiful woman and gains the gift of prophecy. The story explores the dangers of venturing into the unknown and the power of fate.
“Fairy Friends”: This section details the benefits of befriending the fairies. Two stories are told, where a man gives his plaid to the fairies and a woman shares her meal with them. Both are rewarded for their generosity.
“The Seal-Catcher’s Adventure”: This story emphasizes the consequences of cruelty to supernatural creatures. A seal-catcher is taken to the merfolk’s world and forced to heal a wounded seal before he can return home.
“The Fairies of Merlin’s Craig”: This story tells of a barn-man who is taken to the fairies’ world. He is eventually released after swearing an oath never to reveal his experiences.
“Rory Macgillivray”: This tale focuses on a man who is taken to the fairies’ world by enchanting music. His brother eventually rescues him after a year’s captivity.
“The Haunted Ships”: This story recounts the legend of two haunted ships that are doomed to perpetually roam the Solway Sea. The ships are believed to be responsible for numerous shipwrecks, highlighting the dangers of ignoring supernatural warnings.
“The Brownie”: This story recounts the tale of a helpful spirit who aids a border family. The Brownie is driven away when the family attempts to reward him, showcasing the theme of the Brownie’s aversion to recompense.
“Mauns’ Stane”: This story centers around a large, mysterious stone that is believed to be haunted. A laird’s attempt to lift the stone results in his blindness. The story highlights the dangers of defying the supernatural.
“Horse and Hattock”: This tale explores the fairies’ ability to transport people. A man is taken to Paris by the fairies, showcasing their power over humans.
“Secret Commonwealth”: This detailed account, written by Robert Kirk, explores the nature of fairies and their hidden world. It delves into their beliefs, practices, and interactions with the human world.
“The Fairy Boy of Leith”: This story recounts a boy who claims to be a fairy and reveals details about the fairies’ world.
“The Dracæ”: This tale focuses on water-spirits who lure women and children into their underwater realms. The story emphasizes the dangers of curiosity and the potential consequences of interacting with the unseen world.
“My Lord Tarbat’s Relations”: This letter details firsthand experiences with the second sight, a supernatural ability to see the future, experienced by many in the Highlands and Isles of Scotland.
“The Bogle”: This story explains that Bogles are mischievous spirits who delight in frightening humans, but don’t intend to harm them.
“Daoine Shie, or the Men of Peace”: This section describes the Daoine Shie, a type of fairy believed to be envious and harmful to humans.
“The Death “Bree””: This story tells of a woman who, in an attempt to cure her cattle’s disease, steals a skull from a grave. She is forced to return the skull by the ghost of the dead man.

View on Life:

Several unique perspectives on life are represented in the text:

Superstition and Fear: Many of the tales depict a world where supernatural forces shape daily life, with people living in fear of encountering fairies, ghosts, and other malevolent creatures. This fear underscores the fragility of the human condition and the importance of seeking protection from the unseen world.
The Importance of Respect: Many stories caution against disrespecting the supernatural. Characters who fail to show respect for fairies or other creatures often face negative consequences. This highlights the importance of humility and recognizing the power of the unseen world.
The Power of Faith and Courage: Several tales demonstrate the power of faith and courage to overcome supernatural threats. For instance, James Gray’s bravery protects Clashnichd from the evil ghost, and the minister’s faith helps him to confront the fairy seeking his guidance.
The Dangers of Curiosity: Several tales show the consequences of venturing into the unknown. Those who are too curious about the supernatural world often face negative outcomes, illustrating the importance of caution and recognizing the limitations of human knowledge.
The Importance of Kindness and Generosity: The stories highlighting the benefits of befriending the fairies underscore the importance of kindness and generosity. Those who offer assistance to the fairies are often rewarded.

Scenarios and Situations:

Supernatural Encounters: Characters frequently encounter fairies, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures in various settings like caves, hills, forests, and even on the seashore.
Quests and Challenges: Many stories involve characters seeking to overcome supernatural challenges, such as rescuing loved ones from fairies or confronting malevolent spirits.
Interference with the Supernatural World: Characters often interact with the supernatural world, sometimes with disastrous consequences, as seen in the stories of the seal-catcher and the man who steals the mermaid’s skin.

Challenges:

Confronting Fear: Characters must confront their fear of the supernatural world and find the courage to face their fears.
Overcoming Supernatural Threats: Characters must find ways to overcome the power of fairies, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures that threaten their lives and well-being.
Resisting Supernatural Temptations: Characters must resist the allure of the supernatural world and maintain their ties to the human world.

Conflict:

Human vs. Supernatural: The primary conflict is between humans and the supernatural. Humans must often find ways to navigate and survive in a world where supernatural forces hold immense power.
Human vs. Human: Sometimes conflict arises between humans who hold different beliefs about the supernatural, as seen in the story of the minister and the fairy, where the minister believes that the fairy’s fate is in God’s hands, but the fairy seeks his guidance.

Plot:

Many of the stories follow a basic plot structure:

Introduction: The story introduces the main characters and the setting.
Rising Action: An event or encounter with a supernatural creature or force leads to conflict.
Climax: The conflict reaches its peak, often culminating in a dramatic confrontation or choice.
Falling Action: The consequences of the climax unfold.
Resolution: The story concludes with a resolution, often highlighting the power of the supernatural or the consequences of interfering with it.

Point of View:

The stories are told from a variety of perspectives, including:

Third-person: The narrator is an outside observer, recounting the events of the story.
First-person: The narrator is a character within the story, sharing their experiences directly with the reader.

How it’s written:

The text is written in a descriptive and engaging style, often using vivid imagery and dialect to create a sense of authenticity and immerse the reader in the world of Scottish folklore. Here is an example:

“On the deck of the foremost ship not a living soul was seen, or shape, unless something in darkness and form, resembling a human shadow could be called a shape, which flitted from extremity to extremity of the ship, with the appearance of trimming the sails, and directing the vessel’s course.” (From “The Haunted Ships”)

Tone:

The tone of the text varies depending on the story. Some tales are somber and suspenseful, while others are humorous or even whimsical.

Life choices:

Embrace or Resist the Supernatural: Characters must decide whether to embrace or resist the influence of the supernatural in their lives.
Seek or Avoid Knowledge: Characters must decide whether to seek out knowledge of the supernatural world or remain ignorant of its dangers.
Trust or Fear: Characters must decide whether to trust the wisdom of their elders and the stories they tell or to dismiss them as superstition.

Lessons:

Respect the Unknown: The stories emphasize the importance of respecting the unseen world and recognizing the power of the supernatural.
Be Cautious: The tales warn against curiosity and the dangers of interfering with the supernatural.
Value Courage and Faith: The stories celebrate courage and faith as essential qualities for navigating a world where the supernatural holds power.

Characters:

Canobie Dick: A bold but ultimately cowardly horse-cowper.
Thomas the Rhymer: A legendary figure who possesses the gift of prophecy.
Coinnach Oer: A Highland prophet.
Elphin Irving: A young man taken by fairies.
Phemie Irving: Elphin’s sister, who seeks to rescue him from the fairies.
Clashnichd Aulnaic: A female ghost who is tormented by another ghost, Ben Baynac.
Ben Baynac: A malevolent ghost who torments Clashnichd.
James Gray: A courageous shepherd who saves Clashnichd from Ben Baynac.
Michael Scott: A man who gains magical powers through a supernatural encounter.
The Minister: A pious clergyman who encounters a fairy seeking his guidance.
The Fairy: A creature who seeks guidance from the minister about the fate of fairies on Judgment Day.
The Fisherman: A man who encounters the merfolk and steals a merwoman’s seal skin.
Gioga: The merwoman who seeks to regain her seal skin.
The Laird O’ Co’: A Scottish laird who is rescued from prison by a tiny boy.
Ewen of the Little Head: A Highland laird who is defeated in battle.
Jock: A man who repeatedly fails to learn lessons from his mother.
Saint Columba: A missionary who spreads Christianity in Scotland.
The Mermaid: A woman who is trapped in the human world after losing her seal skin.
The Fiddler: A musician who overcomes a mischievous spirit with his music.
The Bogle of Bogandoran: A mischievous spirit who attempts to harm the fiddler.
The Brownie: A helpful spirit who aids a family.
Mauns Crawford: A laird who attempts to lift Mauns’ Stane and is blinded.
The Fairy Boy of Leith: A boy who claims to be a fairy and reveals details about the fairies’ world.
The Dracæ: Water-spirits who lure humans into their underwater realms.
My Lord Tarbat: A Scottish nobleman who recounts his experiences with the second sight.
Shellycoat: A mischievous water spirit who enjoys frightening humans.

Themes:

Superstition: The stories highlight the deep-seated belief in the supernatural and the power it holds over the lives of ordinary people.
The Clash Between the Human and the Supernatural: The tales explore the tensions and conflicts that exist between the human and supernatural worlds.
The Power of Nature: The stories emphasize the power and mystery of the natural world, particularly in Scotland’s rugged landscape.
The Importance of Courage and Faith: The stories celebrate the importance of courage and faith in overcoming adversity, both in the human and supernatural realms.
The Dangers of Curiosity: The tales warn against the consequences of interfering with the supernatural world and the importance of respecting the unknown.

Principles:

The Supernatural Exists: The stories affirm the existence of a world beyond the human one, inhabited by fairies, ghosts, and other creatures.
The Supernatural is Powerful: The stories demonstrate the immense power that the supernatural holds over the lives of humans.
Respect for the Supernatural is Essential: The stories highlight the importance of showing respect for the supernatural world and its inhabitants.

Intentions of the characters in the text or the reader of the text:

Characters: Characters are motivated by love, fear, curiosity, greed, or a desire for power.
Reader: The reader might be seeking entertainment, a glimpse into Scottish culture, or a deeper understanding of the role of folklore in shaping human beliefs and experiences.

Unique Vocabulary:

“Siths”, “Sluagh Maith”, “Doane Shee”: Different names for fairies, reflecting the variations in dialect and belief systems across Scotland.
“Kane-bairns”: Fairy children paid as tribute to the devil.
“Rowan Cross”: A talisman used for protection against fairies.
“Dead bree”: The juice of a dead head, used as a cure for disease.
“Horse and Hattock”: A phrase used by the fairies when they are moving.

Anecdotes:

The horse-cowper’s encounter with Thomas the Rhymer: This story serves to illustrate the danger of venturing into the unknown and the importance of bravery in the face of supernatural forces.
The minister’s encounter with the fairy: This story serves to emphasize the power of faith and the limitations of human understanding in the face of the supernatural.
The seal-catcher’s transformation into a seal: This tale highlights the consequences of harming creatures of the supernatural world and the importance of respecting the balance of nature.
The laird’s attempt to lift Mauns’ Stane: This story emphasizes the danger of defying the supernatural and the consequences of arrogance and greed.

Ideas:

The power of folklore: These tales demonstrate the power of folklore to shape beliefs and behavior.
The human-supernatural interface: The stories explore the ways in which humans and the supernatural world interact and how this relationship can shape human lives.
The importance of respect for the unknown: The tales emphasize the importance of humility and recognizing the power of forces beyond human control.

Facts and findings:

The Abbey of Deer: The text details the history of the Abbey and the powerful family of Cummin who once controlled the region.
The Second Sight: The text provides evidence and stories from Lord Tarbat regarding the existence of the second sight and its impact on the lives of those who possess it.

Statistics:

The age of Ewen of the Little Head: The text indicates he has been a ghost for over three hundred years.

Points of View:

Folklore as an Expression of Belief: The text highlights how folklore serves as a means of understanding and navigating the world, especially when faced with the unknown or the inexplicable.
The Power of Tradition: The stories demonstrate the enduring power of tradition and its impact on shaping beliefs, customs, and even the course of lives.

Perspective:

The text offers a unique perspective on the world, revealing the depth of Scottish folklore and its influence on the people who lived and continue to live in Scotland. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and respecting the power of the supernatural and the complex relationship that exists between the human and the otherworldly.

Learn more