Show Notes
In this thrilling episode, Annie and Jenny delve into the captivating world of the Scottish Highland Games - a cultural spectacle that showcases both the strength and skill of its competitors and the enduring tradition of Scotland.Prepare to be transported to the Highlands, where kilt-clad athletes participate in time-honoured competitions such as caber toss, hammer throw, and Highland dancing, in an astounding display of brute strength, finesse, and athleticism. Annie and Jenny explore the lore and legends associated with the Games. We question the romanticism and authenticity of the Highland Games but ultimately celebrate this tradition as connecting us to ancestors for centuries. We learn about the profound impact of the Highland Games on Scottish cultural identity.This extraordinary cultural experience that marries athleticism, tradition, music, and community spirit. So whether you're a sports enthusiast, a history buff, or just a fan of all things Scottish, this episode is sure to pique your interest!Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon. www.patreon.com/storiesofscotlandThank you all so much for listening to Scotland’s most popular history and folklore podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Stories of Scotland
Hello, Jenny here, introducing my new show, The Scottish Folklore Podcast!
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.
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. Next, we meet Donald McBane, an 18th-century Highlander with a notorious reputation as one of Scotland's greatest swordsmen. His life story is packed with duels, battles, and even some dirty tricks. We discover dastardly duels of the wealthy, including a Jacobite spy. Finally, we sprinkle in some folklore fun, then tell the story of the last fatal duel in Scotland. Join us as we parry, lunge, and uncover the hazardous history of duelling in Scotland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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 ancient Sea Mither to ensure the nuckelavee is trapped for summer.
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 Scotland for answering some strange questions about bog bodies. Come and see Annie’s play! The Wound, the Rag and the In-Between follows a Highland journalist as she unravels a Victorian death. She exposes secrets that had been buried for generations. By the clootie tree, in a place meant for recovery and wellbeing, tragic forces are looming, ever-present. Book online at: https://eden-court.co.uk/event/the-wound-the-rag-and-the-in-between Independently made in the Highlands, Stories of Scotland is gratefully funded through listener support on Patreon.www.patreon.com/storiesofscotland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.