“”…The stars like thistle’s roses floo’er The sterile growth o’ Space ootour, That clad in bitter blasts spreids oot Frae me, the sustenance o’ its root. O fain I’d keep my hert entire, Fain hain the licht o’ my desire, But ech! the shinin’ streams ascend, And leave me empty at the end. For aince…
The Virgin and the Unicorn, by Domenico Zampieri (Domenichino), fresco, 1604–05. Did you know that the unicorn is Scotland’s national animal? It is true – this mythological creature is a symbol of pureness and innocence, as well as chivalry and pride. They are so powerful, that they could purify poisoned water with a touch…
…’I am a man upon the land I am a silkie in the sea And when I’m far from every strand My dwellin ‘tis on Sule Skerry… The Silkie of Sule Skerry (Scottish balad) Selkies are mythological creatures in Scottish folklore that can change from seal to human form by shedding their skin.…
Address to a Haggis Translation Good luck to you and your honest, plump face, Great chieftain of the sausage race! Above them all you take your place, Stomach, tripe, or intestines: Well are you worthy of a grace As long as my arm… …You powers, who make mankind your care, And dish them out…
Going off from the previous post in the series about Kelpies, this blog will be focused on one of the most widely spread Scottish legends – the Loch Ness Monster. Described by some as a swimming elephant, Nessie is a large creature with an elongated neck and flippers for feet. Some believe it is a…
Kelpies are probably the most popular Scottish mythical creatures. But what are they and where do the stories come from? “…When thowes dissolve the snawy hoord, An’ float the jinglin icy-boord, Then water-kelpies haunt the foord By your direction, An’ nighted trav’lers are allur’d To their destruction…” ‘Address to the Devil’ by Robert Burns…
Welcome to our new series of Scottish tales and legends! As 2022 is the Year of Stories, we will be posting them throughout the year. In this blog post, we will cover the ones you have already heard about from us. 1. Myths and Legends in central Scotland Ghosts, kelpies, faeries… many tales have…
Planning to take a trip to Scotland in the winter? It is still a great time to travel, not only for the peace and quiet but also because of the Scottish wildlife you can spot. Red deer The red deer is one of the biggest species of deer and is widely populated in Scotland.…
Happy New Year! We hope this year brings us more joy and opportunities. 2022 is the Year of Stories and this blog is about the old iconic stories. Following the Outlander map and film locations is a great way to immerse yourself in the story. You get to visit iconic historic sights as well as…
Happy Boxing Day! We hope you are enjoying the holidays with your family. To celebrate the end of the year properly, we decided to create a recap of 2021 with the most popular content from us, some of which you might find interesting or even useful! General General blog posts with key information. Reopening…