Scottish Folk-Tales and Legends by Barbara Ker Wilson
"Scottish Folk-Tales and Legends" by Barbara Ker Wilson is a collection of twenty-five short stories and seven tales from the adventures of the Fians, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Scotland. The narratives, presented in the third person, explore themes of love intertwined with sacrifice and danger, illustrating the character traits that distinguish the Scots from their neighbors and Celtic kin. The tales are complemented by line drawings and a map that highlights the geographic origins of the stories, enhancing the reader’s experience.
Many of the stories depict the awe Scots hold for the supernatural, featuring encounters with fairy folk and unexplained phenomena that contribute to their mythology. The bravery and loyalty of the Scottish people are celebrated, though the narratives often reveal the folly that can accompany such traits. Readers will encounter both tragic and heroic elements, showcasing the complexities of love and loss within Scottish lore. This collection serves as an accessible introduction to Scottish literature, appealing especially to younger audiences, and offers a glimpse into the enchanting world of Scottish folklore without the need for prior knowledge of Gaelic language or clan systems.
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Subject Terms
Scottish Folk-Tales and Legends by Barbara Ker Wilson
First published: 1954; illustrated
Subjects: Love and romance, race and ethnicity, the supernatural, and war
Type of work: Short fiction
Recommended Ages: 10-15
Form and Content
In a collection of twenty-five short stories as well as seven tales selected from the adventures of the Fians, Barbara Ker Wilson explores the character traits that set the Scots apart from their neighbors as well as their Celtic kinsfolk. Written in the third person, each story is illustrated with a line drawing that refers in a general way to an event occurring in the narrative. A map following the table of contents identifies the geographic areas associated with the tales, and seven full-page drawings in muted colors are spaced throughout the work.
While each story in Scottish Folk-Tales and Legends may be treated as a separate entity, common themes unite the narratives. Love is often a component of Scottish legends, but there is usually an element of sacrifice or danger linked to the winning of the affection of another. Tam Lin is released from service to the Elf Queen because Fair Janet is willing to endure physical pain to rescue him. Like Ulysses, Black Colin of Loch Awe must assume a beggar’s rags in order to save his wife from a forced marriage to one of his enemies. Not all the romances related in this work end happily; some are fraught with tragedy and loss. Roderic MacCodrum’s wife abandons her family to resume her shape as a seal and return to the ocean, while the fairy bride of Malcolm MacLeod leaves only an enchanted banner as a reminder of her marriage when she forsakes her husband and son.
These stories offer a portrait of the Scottish people as brave, loyal, fearless, self-sacrificing, and reckless. One particular characteristic that is introduced repeatedly in these stories is the awe with which the Scots regard the supernatural. Most of the narratives in this collection contain an element of enchantment, which usually involves the fairy folk who live in two worlds. Some such as Morag MacGregor live to tell of their encounters with that other dominion, while others such as Alasdair, the Piper of Keil, vanish into the realm of the fairies and are lost forever. In every unexplained phenomenon, the average Scot seems to detect the handiwork of mystic beings, and this wonder is an important element in the myths of the Scottish people.
War has been the undoing of the Scots. Their bravery is extraordinary but often foolhardy. Nowhere is this duality better illustrated than in the seven tales of the Fians that form the concluding section of this work. Blessed with almost superhuman strength, these nine thousand warriors seem capable of any quest, but they are destroyed because their weaknesses, like their virtues, are magnified.
Critical Context
Several anthologies of traditional Scottish stories have been published, but many of them, such as Sorche Nic Leodhas’ Thistle and Thyme (1965), demand a knowledge of the clan system and comprehension of several Gaelic words and expressions. Happily, Barbara Ker Wilson’s Scottish Folk-Tales and Legends avoids this potential problem by retelling many of the cherished legends of the Scottish people without relying on the Gaelic language to create the proper atmosphere. Younger readers in particular will find the stories entertaining, and they serve as an excellent introduction to Scottish literature.