The Scottish Folklore Podcast

Mar 09 2025 17 ep. 25 mins 146
The Scottish Folklore Podcast artwork

In each episode of The Scottish Folklore Podcast host Jenny Johnstone retells traditional Scottish folk tales from around the country, bringing age-old adventures, local lore, and strange creatures to life.
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16. The Devil's in the Landscape

Mar 09 2025 22 mins  
The Devil can be found in every nook and cranny of Scotland and in this episode Jenny crawls into these nooks and squeezes through the crannies in search of the stories that ‘Ol Sandy has left behind. From The Devil’s Pulpit and The Whangie north of Glasgow to out past Arbroath where the Devil’s head and eyes haunt the ragged coastline, this is a journey of terrifying ta

15. Rashiecoat: Scotland's Cinderella

Feb 23 2025 28 mins  
In this episode Jenny tells the classic Scottish folk tale of Rashiecoat. This is Scotland’s version of Cinderella, and while there are similarities, it is no Disney fairytale! Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on InstagramVisit the website and view the interactive Episode Map and Story MapSupport Jenny as she makes the show by joining the Patreon Hosted on Acast. See aca

14. Through the Mist

Feb 16 2025 27 mins  
In Scottish folklore mist swirls in the liminal space between this world and the parallel Otherworld, where fairies, spirits, and monsters exist just beyond our boundaries of perception. But when the mist descends, for better or worse, we humans can pass through the veil and into the otherworld.In this episode Jenny tells two eerie tales of those who passed through the mist, and wh

13. Thieves: Tales of Cunning and Curses

Feb 09 2025 23 mins  
Thieves play many roles in Scottish folklore, and while for the most part they are the worst of the worst, this isn’t always the case!In this episode Jenny tells the tales of two thieves, firstly, ‘The Troublesome Son’, from Glenluce in the Borders, and secondly, ‘An Gille Dubh’ from Argyll. Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view

12. Fin Folk: Tall, Dark, and Dangerous

Feb 02 2025 27 mins  
The Fin Folk are a strange race of sea-people that live off the coasts of Orkney and Shetland. They are tall, dark, mysterious… and covered in big flappy fins. In this episode Jenny explores how the Fin Folk live, the vanishing island they call home, and their (very much unreciprocated) desire to marry humans. She also tells the tale of ‘The Farmer of Evie’, a traditiona

11. To a Mouse: Superstitions and Folklore Surrounding Mice

Jan 26 2025 29 mins  
Inspired by Robert Burns’ Poem ‘To a Mouse’ Jenny dives into the superstitions and folklore surrounding mice in Scotland. Read ‘To a Mouse’ hereRead ‘Drumming Tunes’, an article on Mice and Rat Satires hereFollow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on InstagramVisit the website and view the interactive mapSupport Jenny as she makes the show by joining the Patreon Hoste

10. Tip to Toe: Stories from Scotland’s Farthest Reaches

Jan 19 2025 26 mins  
Travel the length of Scotland with these folk tales from the very tippy-toppy of the country to the very tippy-toey.In the far north, Jenny tells the tale of two giants on Unst and how the tiny island of Out Stack, the most northerly point in all of Scotland, came to be.And in the far south, on The Mull of Galloway, a coven of witches don’t realise their own power at Carrickcarli

9. Folk Tales from the Forest

Jan 12 2025 26 mins  
The forests of Scotland are filled with folklore and in this episode Jenny tells two tales from amongst the trees. The first is of the lonesome Ghillie Dhu, a gentle forest fairy and master of disguise. The second story is called The Lass who Couldn’t be Frightened, and funnily enough, is about a lass that couldn’t be frightened!Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram

8. Kelpies & Water Horses

Jan 05 2025 27 mins  
Kelpies are some of the most dangerous creatures in all of Scottish folklore, and in this episode Jenny tells two tales that show just how malevolent they can be. The first, Tarbh na Leòid, is about a handsome and cunning Water Horse on Heisker, also known as the Monach Islands. The second, The Bride and the Water Kelpie, tells the tale of a Kelpie taking revenge upon a young lass

7. Wee Ghosties

Dec 29 2024 24 mins  
Scotland is steeped in ghost stories, and in this episode Jenny tells two of these tales, The Searching Woman of Lewis and The Weeping Lass at the Dancing Place. Both have very sad women, but the ghosts could not be more different, be sure to listen with the lights on!Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive mapSupport Jenny as sh