The Watkins Book of Scottish Folktales
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Pub Date Oct 13 2026 | Archive Date Oct 6 2026
Mare Nostrum Group | Watkins Publishing
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Description
Scotland’s folktales are rooted in a powerful oral tradition where imagination, landscape and language intertwine. In this vibrant collection, Neil Philip brings together more than 100 stories passed down through generations – from the wild Highlands and Islands to the traditions of the Lowlands.
Meet unforgettable figures such as Kate Crackernuts, the herdsmen of Lochbule, the Black Laird, the Milk-white Doo, Oisean, Mac Iain Direach and the mischievous Whuppity Stoorie. Their tales carry the magic, mystery and history of Scotland’s turbulent past.
This captivating collection offers:
- Over 100 classic and lesser-known tales from every corner of Scotland.
- A rich mix of myth, legend and supernatural lore, alive with witches, giants, fairies, heroes and shapeshifters.
- Stories deeply tied to Scotland’s landscapes – its cliffs, islands, lochs and ancient ruins.
- A celebration of Gaelic and Lowland storytelling traditions, faithfully gathered from centuries of oral and written sources.
- An immersive introduction to Scotland’s cultural soul, ideal for readers of folklore, mythology and traditional tales.
A timeless collection for anyone seeking to explore the wonder, wit and wildness of Scotland’s folklore.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Hardcover |
| ISBN | 9781836810773 |
| PRICE | £16.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 352 |
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Featured Reviews
Librarian 1146347
If you’re interested in Scottish storytelling, you can’t go wrong with this one. It contains over 100 stories from all parts of Scotland, ranging from old folktales to those more rooted in historical events. Each story is prefaced with a citation of where it was first published and I found that extremely useful – there are recognisable stories like Cinderella or Rumpelstiltskin that have versions all over the world, for example, so it was fascinating to see how early they were being shared in Scotland. It’s a wonderful mix of oral and written sources, some told in Scots, and it’s the perfect book to pick up and select a story at random. A beautiful collection.
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
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