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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Illustration for an unpublished version of Tolkien's "The Hobbit" by Peter Klucik #TolkienTuesday #HobbitDay

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

One of the most famous Lake District ghost stories is that of 'The Screaming Skulls of Calgarth' more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #SpookySunday #LakeDistrict 🎬 Land of Lore Films

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

I thought you might enjoy my "Folklore of Cumbria" map, introducing characters taken from my folklore books bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #maps #folklore #cumbria ©️ Stephen G. Rae, The FolkLore Press

An illustrated map of the county of Cumbria, featuring characters from its folklore, by Stephen G. Rae

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#ReadAnEbookDay Pukwudgie, the little hairy goblin-like character from native American folklore from: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk #FolkloreFriday #goblins art: Stephen G. Rae (the author)

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

#ReadAnEbookDay Renwick, 1733 and a Cockatrice took up residence in the ruined church. A local man, John Tallantine killed the creature using the branch of a rowan tree more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com #FolkloreFriday #LakeDistrict art by me

A terrifying creature with the head and feet of a rooster, and the wings of a dragon, the tail of a serpent, a Cockatrice. 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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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

#NationalFoxDay 🦊 in Cumbrian dialects 'tod' is fox, 'thimble-flower' is foxglove, 'bummel' is bee in one tale, faeries gave a fox, foxglove petals to put on it's toes - the fox's gloves - to raid the hen house without being heard #folklorethursday #foxoftheday 📷 Alan McFadyen

A young fox watches a bee while the bee heads towards a foxglove

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Roggenmuhme, the rye-mother, a demon from lore; used as a cautionary tale to discourage children from entering and damaging a farmer's crop from: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk #goblin #folklore #booksky art: Igor Krstic

A terrifying black-haired women with a child in her arms.

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

A right 'mizzlin' morning here in the south Lakes, but the spiders are putting on quite a show 'atter' is spider and 'atter-cob' is spider's web in local dialects #nature #language #lakedistrict

Spider's webs across gorse bushes, a heavy dew caught in the webs

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

"We must not look at goblin men, We must not buy their fruits: Who knows upon what soil they fed Their hungry thirsty roots?" ~ Christina Rossetti bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ art: Stephen G. Rae

A goblin sits on a mossy log smoking a pipe, he has that look on his face that makes you stop and think before engaging in conversation. Art by Stephen G. Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

A 'swarth' is an undead being from Cumbrian folklore, the embodiment of a soul on the verge of death. A 'waff' in Northumberland, and a 'wraith' in Scots dialects. #SpookySunday #SupernaturalDay art: Vera Violetta

A figure sits atop a tomb in a graveyard, a red moon behind

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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 · 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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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Step into the weird world of Lake District lore this #FairytaleTuesday Tizzie-Whizie is part squirrel, part hedgehog, and has the wings of a bee. It's often seen flying over Windermere more: 'Folklore of the Lake District' bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ 📷 only known image of T-W

The legendary Tizzie-Whizie flying over Windermere

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

"Every time I meet a tree, if I am truly awake, I stand in awe before it. I listen to its voice, a silent sermon moving me to the depths, touching my heart, and stirring up within my soul a yearning to give my all" ~ Mary Webb my favourite oak #lakedistrict

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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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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The ghost of a woman devoured by wolves haunts the well of Lady's Dub near the village of Ulpha. Ulpha from Old Norse 'ulfr' meaning 'wolf'. more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" bardofcumberland.com/folklore/ #SpookySunday #ReadABookDay art: Arthur Rackham

A woman clings to the branches of a tree, a pack of wolves below

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Land of Lore Films beings the folk tales of Stephen G. Rae to life as short film. The FolkLore Press publishes these tales in both print and ebook: 📚 folklorepress.co.uk youtube.com/@landoflore #folklore #shortfilm #booksky 🎬 clip from Natland Boggarts

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"He is by profession a maker of brogues... discovered by the sounds which he makes hammering his brogues" ~ the Leprechaun by Thomas Keightley from my: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" bardofcumberland.com #BookwormSat #ReadABookDay art: W. Anderson

A leprechaun hard at work repairing shoes

A book on Boggarts and Goblins by Stephen G Rae

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"Goblins are creatures of magic and mayhem. Never trust a goblin, but respect their space" ~ SGR more in: "Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk #BookWormSat #ReadABookDay art: Stephen G. Rae

A goblin, staring menacingly from behind a tree

The book on Boggarts and Goblins by Stephen G Rae

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

#SaveTheDate Kendal Book Festival, 12th September. I'll be there with all my folklore and poetry books Lakes Deer Fest, 10th October at Rheged. I'll be doing some storytelling for all ages, based on my "Folklore of the Lake District" book #books #folklore #lakedistrict

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Autumn is here and there's a Lakeland tradition of carving Yew branches into unusual shapes as protection against the Six Evils: don't sneeze, you may expel your spirit! more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" folklorepress.co.uk #wyrdwednesday #lakedistrict art: Gerald Moira

A woman sitting with her spirit whispering in her ear

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

The ghost of John Whitfield haunts Barrock Fell. He was a notorious highway man, hung, but not killed. He was left crying in pain until finally dispatched by a passing coachman. more in my: "Folklore of the Lake District" #SpookySunday #booksky 📷 Adam Ant

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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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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

#InternationalBatNight 🦇 in autumn twilight playful bats; shadows on stone inhabit graveyard bardofcumberland.com/poetry/ #bookwormsat #poetry #haiku art: Tara Reed

Bats and a crow inhabit graveyard, under a full moon and blood red sky

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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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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

#InternationalBatNight The natives of Renwick were once known as "bats" because of the monstrous bat-like being inhabiting their ruined church read more in: "Folklore of the Lake District" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk #folklore #bookwormsat 🎬 Hellboy, 2019

Camazotz is a monstrous, bat-like creature from Hellboy 2019

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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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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

#WorldLakeDay Alfred, Lord Tennyson promoted the idea that King Arthur on his deathbed, asked Sir Bedivere to undertake the task of returning Excalibur to the lake it came from. That lake being Bassenthwaite more in: "Folklore of the Lake District" #folklorethursday #lakedistrict art: Walter Crane

A noble knight casts excalibur back into the hands of the Lady of the Lake

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

The next #FullMoon on 28 August is the #LynxMoon 'lynx' is derived from 'leuk' meaning light/ brightness; so the name of the moon is likely derived from its intensity, not the animal commonly known as #SturgeonMoon but other names include Dispute Moon, Grain Moon, Corn Moon

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

The Romanian army accidentally blasts open a subterranean crypt. In a coffin is a dog's body, impaled by a wooden stake. A guard removes the stake, which revives the vampiric Zoltan #InternationalDogDay #WyrdWednesday Zoltan: Hound of Dracula, 1977 Dir. Albert Band

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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Back to my hometown for #InternationalDogDay a Shuck was known to haunt the outskirts of Ayr. These black dogs from lore have a malevolent nature, but in one tale, Shuck was trying to save a child from a wolf more in my "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com #WyrdWednesday art: Barry Moser

A black dog carries a human hand in its mouth

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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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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Dragley Beck, Ulverston. The birthplace of Sir John Barrow; it gets its name from the dragon that in local legend, sleeps beneath it more in my "Folklore of the Lake District" folklorepress.co.uk #FairytaleTuesday #booksky art: Stephen G. Rae

A red dragon sleeping in a cave. Steam rises from its nostrils

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The FolkLore Press @thefolklorepress.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

"the stars are shining, the moon's so bright; the boggart can't come out tonight" more in: Boggarts, Brownies, Hobs and their Goblin Kin" by Stephen G. Rae folklorepress.co.uk #goblins #folklore #booksky art: Johan Egerkrans

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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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Stephen G. Rae @stephengrae.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The Broon Man of the Muirs and the Mountains, the dwarf guardian from Anglo-Scottish Borders folklore more in my: "Folklore of Scotland" folkloreofscotland.com film at Land of Lore Films #folklore #film #Scotland

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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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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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