Show Notes
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 reshape nature. Annie brings out a romantic Victorian poem about grave-digging wolves. We have a look at the beautiful wolf-related artifacts held by Inverness Museum, including the Ardross Stone, some taxidermy, and a suspicious bog body. We consider the possibilities and complexities of rewilding. Journey with us as we walk from ancient paths to modern controversies, with the distant howls of a bygone era, and the hopeful calls of a future yet uncertain.You can read the full wolf poem for free here: https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/A_Book_of_Highland_Minstrelsy.html?id=bsoIAAAAQAAJ&redir_esc=y 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.