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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 8h

walking in Torridon my only companion distant barking dog ~ a Haiku I wrote inspired by the tale of 'cu sìth' the faerie dog. It has a shaggy green coat and will let out three barks as an ill omen more: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #bookwormsat #Scotland

The faerie dog with its shaggy green coat

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

#FridayReads my: "Folklore of Scotland" Come on a magical journey in faerie tales and folk horror; let me introduce you to the magical creatures of Scottish folklore more: folkloreofscotland.com 📚 ships to UK via the website, and worldwide

Image of the book entitled Folklore of Scotland by Stephen G Rae, depicts a dwarf man and his animal companions

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Reposted by Folklore of Scotland

Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Brownie is a little hairy household helper doing the jobs that most humans are too lazy to do. But never offer it a set of clothing or it will leave! more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklore #scotland #booksky art: Stephen G. Rae

A little hairy Brownie enjoying the autumn day. Illustration by Stephen G. Rae

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#ReadAnEbookDay Woodwose, the 'wildman of the woods in European folklore. In Scots lore however, Woodwose is one of the Faerie Folk, a harmless forest guardian more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FolkloreFriday #Scotland art: Stephen G. Rae

A man, covered in brown hair, he Carrie's a staff and walks quietly through the forest. Woodwose illustration by Stephen G. Rae

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#NationalFoxDay In my native Ayrshire dialect, 'tod' is fox Fox is a spirit guide and trickster. In common with the otter, the fox is said to carry a magic pearl that brings good luck to whomever finds it. #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Fox Spirits by Stephanie Bayles

Three spirit foxes, an adult atop a tree stump, two youngsters underneath

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

The Pink Lady is a spectral figure said to haunt Stirling Castle and the surrounding area. She is either the spirit of woman whose sweetheart died from starvation during Edward I’s siege of the castle in 1304; or that of Mary, Queen of Scots. #SpookySunday #Scotland 📷 Scotdrone

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Stoor Worm from Norse myth. A sea serpent appeased with a sacrifice of seven souls. When slain, it's teeth became the Orkney, Shetland and Faroe Islands more: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #WyrdWednesday #Scotland art: Annie Stegg

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Unicorns in Scotland? The "Beast of the Lowering Horn" on the Isle of Skye to be more precise more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FairytaleTuesday #Scotland art: Stephen G. Rae

A white unicorn walking through a forest path. Illustration by Stephen G. Rae

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Shared this on X yesterday and proved a bit popular, so: 1954 Glasgow, and hundreds of kids armed with stakes, stormed the Necropolis graveyard to hunt a vampire with iron teeth said to have killed two children. The incident was blamed on them reading American horror comics! art: Frank Quitely

Comic art of children holding wooden stakes, hunting a vampire

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The 'White Lady of Strathaven Castle' wanders the castle grounds. In local legend, she was entombed within the walls and left to starve. Then, in the 19th century, part of the castle wall fell down and human bones were discovered within. #SpookySunday #Scotland art: Arthur Rackham

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

In the Scottish Highlands, Lord of the Forest is the Uruisg (Urisk), a half human and half goat Nature Spirit, similar to a Faun more: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Tianhau Xu

A faun, a goat-like Nature Spirit with human attributes walks in a darkened forest

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, the Lord Advocate. Better known by the nickname Bloody Mackenzie for his cruel treatment of Covenanters. His restless spirit haunts Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edinburgh; next to the sight of some particularly cruel acts. #SpookySunday #Scotland

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

#InternationalBatNight In traditional Scots language, bat is 'backie', 'bawkie', 'baukie-bird' "When lyart leaves bestrow the yird, Or, wavering like the baukie-bird, Bedim cauld Boreas' blast" ~ Robert Burns #bookwormsat #Scotland

19th century print of bats flying in countryside

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

#WorldLakeDay Loch Iorsa on the Isle of Arran. The loch's name means 'lake of the serpents', and local folklore suggests the creature may be a Wurm, an ancient type of dragon or giant serpent more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Ian D. Bugayong

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

#InternationalDogDay walking in Torridon my only companion - distant barking dog 'cu sìth' is a faerie dog; the size of a Highland Cow with a shaggy green coat; it will let out three barks as an ill omen more in: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #wyrdwednesday art: Erin Claire

A green dog, the faerie dog from Scottish folklore

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The Bheithir dragon ventures out of its lair only on summer nights when lightening strikes occur more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FairytaleTuesday #Scotland art: Stephen G. Rae

A proud blue dragon, walking with wings held to its side

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

#MermaidMonday A mermaid would sit on a black stone and sing to the inhabitants of Knockdolian Castle, but they had the stone destroyed, so she put a curse on the family more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklore #scotland #booksky art: John William Waterhouse

A mermaid sits on a rock combing her hair

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

#otd 1305 Sir William Wallace, Guardian of Scotland was executed by Edward I of England at The Elms, Smithfield in London #history #Scotland 📷 The National Wallace Monument, Stirling

A tall tower set within trees and green fields, a monument to William Wallace

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

Ardrossan Castle, Ayshire is haunted by two notable spirits. The first, Sir William Wallace, Guardian of Scotland. The other, Sir Fergus Barclay 'the De'il of Ardrossan', famous around the lands for his knightly skills by way of a magic bridle given to him by the Devil. #spookysunday #Scotland

The ruined battlemenets of a castle, a darkened sky behind

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

#otd 565 CE, St. Columba encounters the Loch Ness Monster It happened when he was travelling along the bank of the River Ness; locals were burying a man killed in the river. Columba's own encounter also happened in the river, not the loch more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

"A shadowy shape of cloud and mist, Of gloom and dusk, she stands, The Washer at the Ford" Bean-nighe, the washer woman who haunts desolate streams, washing the clothes of those who are about to die My: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #bookwormsat #worldfolkloreday art: Brian Froud

An odd-looking character dressed in green washes clothes by a stream

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

It's #PoetsDay so here's my: walking in Torridon my only companion distant barking dog ~ from "often I stop and look back" bardofcumberland.com/poetry #haiku #poetry #Scotland art: Cù-Sìth, the faerie dog by Stephen G. Rae

A large green coated dog stands within a mountain landscape

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Fairie or Elf, Klippe is a guardian to all those walking lonely moorland at night. A spritely fellow who dances beside the traveller to ensure a safe journey more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Brian Froud

A strange elf or fairie like being carefully turns the page to another Brian Froud image

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

15/08/1953: the 'Girvan Sea Monster' washed ashore. It had a four-foot giraffe neck, a camel-shaped head with bone-shielded eyes, four stumpy appendages like legs, and a 12-foot tail. My own father remembers being taken to see it, it smelled terrible! #wyrdwednesday #Scotland

Newspaper clipping of the Girvan Sea Monster discovery

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

It's #BlackCatAppreciationDay so I must mention 'cait sìth' the faerie cat. Either a faerie in the shape of a black cat with a distinctive white spot on it's chest. Or a witch that can transform into a cat nine times more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com

A cat with a white spot on its chest, watches butterflies overhead

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

The Wizard of Reay, Donald MacKay was a Master of the Dark Arts who studied in Italy under the tutelage of Satan himself. His apparition still haunts villages around Caithness #SpookySunday #Scotland art: The Wizard by Alan Clarke

A black wizard beside a steaming cauldron with bats abound

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

"The same, whom ancient records call The founder of the Goblin-Hall" ~ from Marmion by Sir Walter Scott, #botd 1771 read more of the subterranean Goblin-Hall (Goblin Ha') of Yester Castle in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #bookwormsat #Scotland art: The Goblin King by Alan Lee

A large goblin surrounded by scores of smaller goblins

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

#WorldHoneyBeeDay In Scots language 'skep-bee' or 'skeppie' is honey bee In Druidry, there's the secret knowledge of the bee: “ask the wild bee what the druid knew” During sleep or in a trance, a person’s soul leaves their body in the form of a bee #bees #druids #Scotland

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

#otd 1040, the Battle of Pitgavemy (or Battle of Bothnagowan). King Duncan I of Scotland is defeated in battle against his first cousin and rival Macbeth, who succeeds him as king. Duncan was either killed in action or died later of wounds sustained. #history #Scotland art: Jacob de Wet II

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The Wulver is only found in Shetland. It's not like the werewolves of folklore as it was never human. Wulver is one of the Faerie Folk more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Dark Natasha

A being with wolf and human features sits beside a standing stone

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

"black-luggie, hammer-head, rowan tree and red thread put the warlocks to their speed" Scotland's Laird of Fail, infamous Warlock and Master of the Dark Arts. He could freeze objects in time, and cause people to laugh uncontrollably art: Richey Beckett #WizardWednesday

A red-robed wizard adorned with staff and steaming cauldron

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Reposted by Folklore of Scotland

Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

#SolarEclipse A huge serpent consuming the sun or a battle between the gods and goddesses of the sky. Such an eclipse was generally believed to be a bad omen. A sign of pestilence pervading the land, or in 2026 speak, wildfires burning out of control. #WyrdWednesday

An image of the solar eclipse, the sun forming a halo around a black sphere, its Ray's captured in the water below

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Little Red dare not fear, for the last wolf in Scotland was killed by Sir Ewen Cameron of Lochiel in 1680 at Killiecrankie. She only has to worry about the werewolves now! more: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FairytaleTuesday #Scotland art: Yavuz Balkan

Painting of a tiny Little Red Riding Hood dwarfed by a giant wolf

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

The Green Lady’s Room at Crathes Castle is haunted by ghost of a young woman, seen by the fireplace wearing a green dress, cradling an infant in her arms. When the castle was renovated in the 1800s, the bones of a child, presumed murdered, were discovered in that room. #SpookySunday #Scotland

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

#ScottishWildcatDay The Scottish Wildcat, also know as the Highland Tiger A Wildcat dwells in The Otherworld, called Little Cat, it guards a vast treasure. For a would-be thief, it transforms into a flaming arrow, reducing said thief to ashes #caturday #folklore #Scotland 📷 Tony Hamblin

A rather grumpy looking wildcat sits in a bed of purple heather

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

#InternationalCatDay Ieles is a vampire cat from Scottish folklore. Waiting at waterfalls to pounce on a passing traveller are sucking their blood! more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #bookwormsat #Scotland art: Iren Horrors

An evil cat atop a post with skulls littered below

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

It's #SeaSerpentDay Stoor Worm was a massive sea serpent that destroyed houses and ships, and dragged villages into the sea. When slain, it's teeth became the Orkney, Shetland and Faroe Islands more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklore #Scotland art: Annie Stegg

A huge sea serpent engulfs a sailing ship

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

A 'tattie-bogle' is traditionally a figure dressed in old clothes, used to discourage birds, mostly crows, from damaging ripening crops, a scarecrow. In folklore, it's a type of goblin, menacing any human entering such fields #wyrdwednesday #Scotland

Creepy scarecrow clad in straw and tartan

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

#FairytaleTuesday Scáthach, "the Shadow" and "Warrior Maid" is a figure from Scots and Irish mythology She was a warrior from the Isle of Skye who trained the Ulster hero, Cú Chulainn in the arts of combat.

A red haired female warrior stands in front of a great army

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Blackness Castle sits menacingly atop a knoll of jagged black rock, the waters of the Firth of Forth below. It's central 'Prison Tower' is haunted by a knight in armour known for taking a swipe with his sword at any curious visitor. #spookysunday #scotland 📷 Brian Nicholson

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Lughnasadh blessings /|\ Deep Peace to You Deep peace of the running wave to you Deep peace of the flowing air to you Deep peace of the quiet earth to you Deep peace of the shining stars to you. ~ Irish Druid blessing 📷 Jack Darling #Lammas #Druidry #bookwormsat

Rocks outstretched into the sky from a calm sea, the Milky Way galaxy above

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The Fairie Cup of Mingary Castle is a magical vessel stolen from local fairies. It fills with whatever liquid the bearer wishes it to. Cheers! more: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #FaerieFriday #folklore #Scotland art: Celelia

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Why not treat yourself or a loved one to my new "Folklore of Scotland" Let's go on a magical journey in faerie tales and folk horror, introducing almost 200 characters from Scottish folklore folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland 📚 available in print and ebook

Image of the new Folklore of Scotland book by Stephen G Rae

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

A mermaid would sit on a black stone and sing to the inhabitants of Knockdolian Castle, but they had the stone destroyed, so she put a curse on the family more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: John William Waterhouse

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

The Scottish Wildcat, also know as the Highland Tiger. A Wildcat dwells in The Otherworld, called Little Cat, it guards a vast treasure. For a would-be thief, Little Cat transforms into a flaming arrow, reducing said thief to ashes! 📷 Tony Hamblin #TigerDay

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

In the Scottish Highlands, Lord of the Forest is the Uruisg (Urisk), a half human and half goat Nature Spirit similar to the Faun Ofelia meets who informs of her three tasks more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com Pan's Labyrinth, 2006; dir. Guillermo del Toro #wyrdwednesday

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

walking in Torridon my only companion distant barking dog Zen Haiku poetry written whilst in Torridon and inspired by 'cu sìth', the faerie dog from lore more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #bookwormsat #Scotland art: Stephen G. Rae

Shaggy green faerie dog surrounded by mountains

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Alloa Tower. This 700 year old keep is one of the oldest in Scotland. Two of its resident ghosts are a man in chains, helped by a servant girl bandaging his rat-gnawed foot. Also, a woman in black watching over a cradle. Terrible screams echo from a stone well. #phantomsfriday #Scotland

Image of Alloa Tower a 700 year old keep

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Folklore of Scotland @folklorescotland.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Elf-hame Caves, Dalry: Elves ride out on horses the size of mice; their yellow hair tied in knots of gold, with bows made of human ribs and arrow heads dipped in hemlock poison more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #folklorethursday #Scotland art: Elf Play by August Malmström

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

"Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" by Stephen G. Rae Redcap is a murderous goblin from Anglo-Scottish Borders folklore. He lives in ruined castles, soaking his cap in the blood of his victims folklorepress.co.uk #folklore #goblins #booksky art: Leo D'Amico

An evil red-carpet goblin holds a bloodied knife

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