Stories of Scotland

Stories of Scotland

Stories of Scotland is an award-winning Scottish history podcast. Join hosts Jenny and Annie as they unravel the rich tapestry of Scotland’s culture, nature and heritage. Prepared to climb into caves, cairns and chaos, Jenny and Annie travel around Scotland and investigate how stories of the past can help us make sense of modern life. Stories of Scotland celebrates Scottish history through traditional storytelling, archival research, museum objects and wandering in nature. It is recorded in Inverness & hosted by Jenny, an environmental scientist & Annie, an archivist. Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episodes

July 12, 2024 33 mins

Like all adventures, after five wonderful years, Stories of Scotland is coming to an end. Join Annie and Jenny in this last episode as they revisit where it all started, the humble bothy, and tell some final stories of Scotland.


We would like to give a heartfelt thank you to you, our listeners. Thank you for supporting us as we’ve made this show, and tuning in to each episode, no matter how weird the subject, we couldn’t have do...

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Join Jenny and Annie at dawn, as we dive into the dangerous world of Scottish duelling! We explore the history, laws, and legendary figures of Scottish duelling.

First, we break down what duelling is and trace its evolution from medieval trial by combat to private duels of honour. We uncover fascinating Scottish duelling laws and share the blood-soaked tale of the Battle of North Inch, also known as the lethal Battle of the Clans.

N...

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We journey to the cold waters of the North Sea for Jenny to tell the famed story of the Nuckelavee as captured by farmer and folklorist Walter Trail Dennison. The nuckelavee is a skinless horse who haunts Orkney’s coasts, terrifying travelers. He also brings blight and plague to crops, livestock and even humans with his terrible toxic breath. Meanwhile, Annie will do anything to avoid the nuckelavee, including summoning the ancien...

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Annie and Jenny return to their beloved bogs to have a look at human bodies that have been buried and preserved in peat. From Bronze Age mummies, to the Gunnister Man’s unique knitted garments, we examine the human remains and artefacts that have been excavated from bogs. We tell the tragic history of Betty Corrigall, a young woman buried on the boundary between two parishes.

Thanks to Orkney Archives and the National Museum of Sc...

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March 23, 2024 38 mins

From the Fortress of Shadows just off the Isle of Skye, to the Palace of Dreams in Arthurian legends, Jenny and Annie visit the homes of warrior women. 

Jenny begins with folklore and mythology of Sgàthach, sometimes called the Shadow, or the Striker of Fear, and we learn how she was the greatest teacher of warriors in all the world. 

Next, Annie takes us to a strange Arthurian story about a woman of King Arthur’s dreams an...

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March 4, 2024 43 mins

This episode is brought to you by Dundreggan Rewilding Centre. Annie and Jenny learn about the importance of rewilding, not just from the perspective of the environment, but also for communities. We meet dedicated staff Cait and Caoimhe at Dundreggan, and learn some beautiful folklore that’s woven into the landscape. From stealthy red squirrels to a killer Cailleach who’ll dance on your bonnet, these conversations challenge us to c...

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Jenny and Annie bring another daring Fireside Folklore episode exploring folklore relating to the noble rowan tree. Jenny kicks off with an intriguing tale of a witch who lives in the woods. The wicked witch is particularly fond of her precious dishes but has minimal desire to clean them herself. This story reveals how the Rowan Tree gained its powers of protection, transforming from a withered, sick tree to a mighty guardian of th...

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January 16, 2024 52 mins

Annie and Jenny churn through the rich history of butter in Scottish and Irish cultures. We slip into a buttery journey from the ancient practice of making bog butter to the evolution of dairy farming in the chilly northern lands. Learn about the fascinating genetics behind lactose tolerance and how aurochs, the wild ancestors of cows, shaped our dairy destiny.

But there's more to this episode than just butter history, there’s also ...

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December 27, 2023 26 mins

A fresh New Year’s Eve tradition at Stories of Scotland is the telling of spooky stories about Hogmanay. Jenny and Annie return with terrifying tales to haunt you all Hogmanay.

First, Jenny welcomes us to travel to a smoky bar on the Isle of Mull for "The Queer Visit of Calum the Skipper," a chilling tale of a New Year's ghost with a twist. As the locals gather, reminiscing about Calum, a regular visitor, they're confronted with an...

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December 19, 2023 59 mins

In this enchanting episode of Stories of Scotland, your hosts Annie and Jenny embark on a mystical journey through the life and legends of Michael Scot, a medieval figure shrouded in the allure of wizardry. Unlike the American sitcom character, this Michael Scot stands out as a figure of Scottish folklore, known for his reputed magical powers and scholarly pursuits. Jenny brings out some amazing folklore from shipwrecked sailors, m...

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December 8, 2023 35 mins

Join Annie and Jenny on an oinking odyssey as they explore the role of the humble swine in Scottish folklore. We dive snout-first into discovering the folklore of the first boar in Scotland, some curious stories of how communities may or may not divide up their pigs, and some baffling bank robberies. We find some of the strangest stories featuring pigs for you, dear listeners. Prepare for plenty of porcine puns!

Content warning: Thi...

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November 27, 2023 50 mins

Jenny and Annie take listeners on an enlightening journey through Scotland's rich astronomical history and its contemporary role in space exploration. The episode begins with a reflection on the timeless human fascination with the night sky, highlighting how stars have guided people through history. We delve into Scottish contributions to astronomy honouring the people who helped the world to understand the stars. Enter a lot of me...

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November 14, 2023 29 mins
Riding upon their noble steeds, Deirdre and Tickles, Jenny and Annie explore some monster-slaying stories set in medieval Scotland. First, we travel to the glens of Cassley in Sutherland, where a toxic beast has wormed its way into the landscape. Beware, if you are driving the North Coast 500 as you’ll be entering the dangerous territory of the worm! Next, Annie ventures to a wee island on the River Dee in Aberdeenshire, near Braem...

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being buried alive, from the founding of St Columba’s Iona Abbey to the spooky sinister Lady with the Ring lore.

We consider whether horses in the attic are truly the best possible way to tell if you are being haunted. This episode ties Scottish legends of being buried alive to European traditions and even goes all the way to America.

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Embark on a bone-chilling journey with Jenny and Annie as they explore Duntulm Castle. Perched on a cliff edge in north Skye, Duntulm Castle’s story is woven with tales of ancestral battles, clan feuds, tragic fates, and paranormal disturbances. Each crumbling wall and hidden corner of this ancient, majestic castle has a chilling story, echoing the eerie cries of the long-departed.Discover the castle's blood-soaked beginning, a bat...

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October 10, 2023 61 mins
October means Annie and Jenny have their turnips to carve and some spooky stories to share. In this spine-tingling episode, we delve deep into the ominous shadows of Galloway's history, unraveling two of its most gruesome and enigmatic folklore tales - the malevolent legacy of Sawney Bean and the sinister mystery of the Murder Hole. As we venture back to the Scottish lowlands, Jenny discusses the unspeakable horrors of Alexander ‘...

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September 12, 2023 28 mins
Are you concerned about your cow companions? Do you want to protect your bovine besties from evil enchantments?Welcome to Fireside Folklore, a fun wee episode, where Annie and Jenny try to understand the mysterious phenomenon of cow cursing. After noticing cursed cows turn up in multiple episodes, Annie and Jenny try to understand why cursed cows appear so frequently in Scottish folklore. What do these stories tell us about Scottis...

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Annie and Jenny journey to the Far North of Scotland to trace the intricate tale of this once-feared predator: the wolf. These enigmatic creatures, deeply woven into Scotland's culture and environment, have long been subjects of awe, reverence, and lament.Jenny tells the haunting tale of the Last Wolf of Sutherland. A poignant reflection on the extinction of a species, this story serves as a haunting reminder of human's capacity to...

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Welcome to Fireside Folklore, an enchanting wee episode, where Annie and Jenny take us deep into the heart of the Cairngorms in the Scottish Highlands. We unearthing tales of the mystical fairy dogs that roam the majestic mountainous landscapes. Ensure your sheep are safe and secure, cuddle your four-legged companions, and hold a wee piece of metal to protect yourself from fairy frolics. Whether you're a folklore enthusiast or simp...

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Unravel the secrets of the Galloway landscape in this deep dive into the geology of the marvellous mountain, the Merrick. Ever wondered how nature sculpted its majestic peaks and craggy contours? This episode journeys back millions of years, retracing the earth's steps in moulding this iconic landmark, and a funny wee boulder atop it. Jenny and Annie also explore the Cairnholy sites, which are ancient megalithic wonders that stand ...

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