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Things about being a writer in Scotland #10, by Lyndsey Croal. Dark Crescent is her scottish folk collection, out June 3: pre-order now! Cover art by Jenni Coutts. https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page/dark-crescent @lyndseycroal #booksfromscotland #scottishfolklore #sff

Things About Being a Writer in Scotland #10
By Lyndsey Croal
Café writing and train journeys:
I personally love getting out and about to write, as I sometimes struggle to focus just in my flat. There's something about the buzz of a coffee shop, or the forced stillness of a train journey that can bring out some of my best writing sessions. Luckily in Edinburgh there's no shortage of great cafes (and pubs), where I can enjoy strong coffee and delicious baking while working on different things. And I'm often on a train journey visiting family or friends, so it's the perfect time to take out the laptop to work on a project, usually enjoying the sights of Scotland as I go!

Things about being a writer in Scotland #9, by Lyndsey Croal. Dark Crescent is her scottish folk collection, out June 3: pre-order now! Cover art by Jenni Coutts. https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page/dark-crescent @lyndseycroal #booksfromscotland #scottishfolklore #sff

Things About Being a Writer in Scotland #9
By Lyndsey Croal
Amazing bookshops:
Living in Edinburgh, you're never far away from a great independent bookshop. One of my favourites, Argonaut Books in Leith, even has a wee coffee area where l've occasionally worked, finding inspiration surrounded by books! Also in Edinburgh, The EdinburghBookshop, Typewronger, Lighthouse Books, and Transreal Fiction are perfect for a bookshop tour aroundthecity.Andbeyond Edinburgh,llovefindingbookshops in my travels, like Far From the Madding Crowd in Linlithgow, Ink & Quill in Montrose, Leakey's in Inverness (a treasure trove!), and The Nairn Bookshop in Nairn.

Things about being a writer in Scotland #8, by Lyndsey Croal. Dark Crescent is her scottish folk collection, out June 3: pre-order now! Cover art by Jenni Coutts. https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page/dark-crescent @lyndseycroal #booksfromscotland #scottishfolklore #sff

Things About Being a Writer in Scotland #8
By Lyndsey Croal
Support for the arts:
Scotland has such a rich history of literature, and I'm glad that there are still some amazing organisations and opportunities for authors in Scotland. The Scottish Book Trust is just one example, and I was very fortunate to receive a New Writers Award in 2020, which has been invaluable to my writing career.
They've supported hundreds of new authors through the scheme and do so much great work across the country for literacyand writing. There are alsoloads of amazing magazines and publishers, events with opportunities to perform your work, museums celebrating writing and storytelling, and other essential arts communities in Scotland.

From the British Fantasy Society: Get your first peek at the next novel from Shona Kinsella, coming from Flame Tree in November!

https://britishfantasysociety.org/cover-reveal-daughters-of-nicnevin-by-shona-kinsella/

#fantasy #books #coverreveal #folklorefantasy #scottishfolklore

The background colours are dark green and beige, to match the colours of the cover of the novel Daughters of Nicnevin, by Shona Kinsella. The book cover features an illustration by Broci of two women in period dresses, standing in a corn field at night. In the background are human-like figures with heads of straw.

Over 10 years ago, I began crafting a story about Kelpies and a morally grey character—Greer. In 2023, I finally brought it to life in comic form for the Pagaverse. Thank you to everyone who's supported and encouraged me along the way! 🌊✨ Here's a glimpse into 10 years of sketches and story fragments.

https://www.patreon.com/posts/128351092?utm_campaign=postshare_creator

Free for members

#mermay #scottishfolklore #mastoart #short comic

A digital illustration featuring two humanoid figures, one with dark hair and the other with green hair, both appearing to be partially aquatic. They share an intimate embrace, which seems also a bit eerie. A skull is positioned between them.

A mystical scene featuring a green-skinned character and a wounded figure, sharing an intimate moment. Speech bubbles suggest a deep conversation about kelpies and personal history, set against a blurred natural background.

A sketch depicting two female figures laying on a beach, with flowing hair and a bloody skull in their middle. Both are partially covered in a fisher net.

The Cù Sìth, a fairy hound from Celtic mythology, symbolizes the fears and spiritual beliefs of Highland communities. #fairies #dogs #scottishfolklore https://connectparanormal.net/2025/03/30/cu-sith-the-green-fairy-hound-and-its-dark-legends/

http://africanpaper.com/2025/03/22/alison-odonell-gayle-brogan-a-colloquy-of-birds/
#alisonodonnell #gaylebrogan #albumreview #acolloquyofbirds #birds #folklore #mythology #birdfolklore #scottishfolklore #englishfolklore #pefkin #mellowcandle #davidcolohan #greymalkin #alandavidson #sonidopolifonico

In Scottish folklore, if a house goblin such as a brownie is treated with disrespect, it can transform into a "bogle." This nasty goblin will devote itself to vandalizing the house and tormenting its inhabitants with the same dedication that the brownie kept things neat and tidy.

#FolkloreSunday #31DaysofHaunting #Mythology #ScottishMythology #CelticMythology #Folklore #ScottishFolklore #CelticFolklore #FairyTale #ScottishFairyTale #CelticFairyTale #Scotland #Celtic #Fairy #Faerie #Goblin

A capering bogle as depicted in "English Fairy Tales" by Joseph Jacobs

The bean-nighe (Scottish Gaelic for "washerwoman") or "Washer at the Ford" is a Scottish fairy and omen of death. She appears as an old woman at some desolate stream or pool, where she is washing the blood from the grave clothes of someone who will soon die.
🎨 Katherine Soutar

#FolkloreSunday #31DaysofHaunting #SwampSunday #Mythology #ScottishMythology #GaelicMythology #CelticMythology #Folklore #ScottishFolklore #GaelicFolklore #CelticFolklore #Scotland #Gaelic #Celitc #Fairy #Faerie

A bean-nighe washes bloody clothes in a stream. Image by Katherine Soutar.

The pech are Scottish goblins who have great strength despite their small size. An old, sick pech on his deathbed was able to shatter a metal cup by squeezing it. Along with the giants, the pech were said to be the builders of Scotland's ancient stone megaliths.

#FolkloreSunday #31DaysofHaunting #Mythology #ScottishMythology #CelticMythology #Folklore #ScottishFolklore #CelticFolklore #Scotland #Celtic #Fairy #Faerie #Goblin #Megalith

Often referred to as a washerwoman of fate and a harbinger of death, the bean-nighe is a mythical figure from Scottish tradition. #Fairies #scottishfolklore https://fairyland.blog/post/774648639903678464/bean-nighe-harbinger-of-death

Blessed Imbolc to everyone! #pagan #celtic #polytheism #druid #druidism #celticdruid #scottishdruid #Manannan #Brigid #Dagda #scottishfolklore #scottishlore #irishlore #irishfolklore #celticmythology #paganaltar

Pagan altar with Scottish flags, Candles, Skulls and wooden Gods

Welcome to the world, Dark Crescent! This stunning collection of Scottish Folk tales by @lyndseycroal joins the Harvester Series. Artwork by Jenni Coutts ❤️ Pre-order here! https://www.lunapresspublishing.com/product-page/dark-crescent #scottishfolklore #sff

Cover art of Dark Crescent created by Jenni Coutts. It shows many creatures from Scottish folklore in yellow fine ink over a dark blue background.

In historical Scotland, saining (a practice to cleanse or bestow protection upon something or someone) was once common place.
__
#folklore #Scotland #ScottishFolklore #folkmagic

https://blairtales.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/sain-scottish-folklore/

Scottish Folklore: Holly

It is even said that in 1861, the Duke of Argyll even had a prospective road rerouted to avoid cutting down the holly there.

Blog Post: https://blairtales.wordpress.com/2023/04/21/scottish-folklore-for-holy/

#folklore #holly #ScottishFolklore #mythology #sain #saining #scotland

Text: Holly
Image: A holly sprig that has pointy green leaves, and red berries

Are you troubled by nightmares or the evil intent of others? If so, holly (cuileann) might be your solution. This symbol of protection was often hung above doors to ward off evil and prevent bad dreams. For added strength, it was sometimes paired with rowan, another protective plant.

Holly’s protective properties extended outdoors as well; when planted near a house, it was believed to guard against lightning, a notion that may have some scientific basis since the spines on its leaves can act as natural lightning conductors.

Cutting down a holly tree, however, was thought to bring misfortune, though gathering its boughs was considered acceptable. One notable exception was holly growing on border hedges, which was never to be trimmed. According to folklore, witches run upon the tops of hedges, but holly serves as a protective barrier, thwarting their passage.

Scottish Folklore: Kelpie and Each-Uisge

Blog post: https://blairtales.wordpress.com/2022/08/10/kelpies-and-each-usige/

#kelpie #eachuisge #waterhorse #waterhorses #scottishfolklore #folklore #mythology #fairy #fairies #fae #sith

Text: Kelpie and Each-Uisge
Image: A horse standing in water

Did you see a beautiful horse that seemed to beckon you to climb onto its back? Or perhaps a person so enchanting you almost overlooked the seaweed entangled in their hair? If so, you may have encountered a kelpie or each-uisge. These beings often take the form of a horse or human: luring their victims into their watery domains to feed on them or make them their bride. While they share similarities, kelpies haunt rivers and streams, while the each-uisge prowls lochs and the sea. Both are known to trap their victims with fur that turns adhesive upon touch, ensuring no escape as they plunge into the water. In some tales, desperate individuals sever fingers to free themselves.

Not all encounters with these shapeshifters are sinister, though; some stories describe harmless interactions or instances where these water horses willingly assist humans.

This is all based on my own interpretation of the historical Scottish folklore books I have read. Other people may understand how the Otherworld works differently than I do.

Blog Post: https://blairtales.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/the-otherworld-scottish-fairies-part-4/

#ScottishFolklore #Folklore #Sith #TheOtherworld #Faeries #fairy #fae #mythology #myths #Scotland

Text: Our World
Image: A large city at night

Text: the Veil
Image: a translucent curtain

Text: The Otherworld
Text: Elphame
Image: A castle up on a hill

Text: The Land of the Dead
Image: A ghost floats through an area

Scottish Folklore: Fairy Mounds

Blog Post: https://blairtales.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/the-otherworld-scottish-fairies-part-4/

#folklore #scottishfolklore #fairies #fae #faeries #mythology #fairymound #sith

Text: Fairy Mounds
Image: A drawing of a grassy hill with an open door.

Did you hear music from an open door in a spot where you don't even remember there ever being a home? Did your friend invite himself in to the party, only for the door to suddenly shut and disappear, leaving just a grassy hill behind? If so, you have found a fairy mound!

No matter how enticing it might look, entering a fairy mound is never advisable. Fairy mounds act as bridges between our world and the Otherworld, and time within them flexes differently than ours. You might go in for a dance and think it had only been moments, when years had passed by in the human world. Even without the dangers of flexing time, while trapped inside, you are subject to the whims of the home owner.

So what can you do to save your friend? Well, the door should re-open in a year-and-a-day, and when it does, you can stick an iron nail, needle, or knife, into the door to keep it from closing. You should then be able to either pull your friend to safety, or agree to remove the iron from the door in exchange for your friends freedom.

Scottish Folklore: Beithir 🐍

Blog post: https://blairtales.wordpress.com/2023/02/17/beithir/

#beithir #folklore #scottishfolklore #scotland #myth #myths #mythology

Text: Beithir
Image: A giant snake in a cave

Did you see a giant serpent come out of a Scottish cave and eat several cows for one meal? Did it strike with a mouth full of venom? If so, you may have encountered a Beithir.

Depending on the story, they could be about the size of a snake, to a frighteningly large creature able to swallow cattle whole.

Armed with venom, the beithir were a dangerous opponent, but were sometimes hunted themselves. In one story, barrels of spiked meat were set out as bait to lure a Beithir onto the waters of Loch-in-daal. Once there, it was finished off with cannon fire.

My grandfather said when he was a wean, that he was told to put a half bottle of whisky down a rabbit hole on New Year's Day and the #TheWeeFolk would see him right through the year. My grannie said the thing was a saucer of milk on a full moon.

Do I need to sacrifice a calculator now, I wonder?

#ModernFolklore #Folklore #ScottishFolklore #FolkloreTuesday

#Scottishfolklore

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