The Watkins Book of Scottish Folktales

A collection of over 100 memorable folktales from across Scotland, showcasing the magic and heritage of Scotland.

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.Neil Philip is a writer, folklorist and poet. Among his many books are The Cinderella Story, Mythology (with Philip Wilkinson), The New Oxford Book of Children's Verse, The Tale of Sir Gawainand, The Adventures of Odysseus. Neil has contributed to numerous journals, including The Times and Signal: Approaches to Childrens Books, and has also written for stage, screen and radio. His work has won the Aesop Award of the American Folklore Society and the Literary Criticism Book Award of the Childrens Literature Association.