The Moon Episode

The Moon Episode

Author: eileen budd May 3, 2026 Duration: 51:37

The moon and its many phases has all kinds of names and lore associated with it, for this episode, I want to share with you some traditional Scottish stories where the moon plays an important role, sometimes acting as a catalyst for transformation, sometimes acting as a sympathetic witness, but always, ever present. In this episode you will hear a traditional Gaelic blessing for the new moon, a piece of 16th century music played on lute by musician Matthew Spring, transformation stories and stories of enchantment. 

Harp music throughout is by fantastic Helena D Cauwer, singing by the wonderful Laura Gekiere and me and Sound production has also been expertly done by Laura.


The first 2 of my Seasonal Folklore booklets with St Andrews Botanic Garden are out now and you can find them at the Gardens, at a number of independent bookshops and also via the publisher directly here:


Spring:https://www.wideopensea.co.uk/product/seasonal-folklore-springSummer:https://www.wideopensea.co.uk/product/seasonal-folklore-summer


Step into the misty glens and ancient streets of Scotland with Scottish Folk, where the past is kept alive through spoken word. Guided by storyteller and author Eileen Budd, each episode is an intimate gathering, a chance to sit by a fireside and hear the tales that have shaped a nation’s identity. This isn't just a recitation of dates and events; it’s an immersion into the living breath of folklore, the quiet persistence of tradition, and the forgotten corners of folk history. You’ll encounter selkies and kelpies, uncover the origins of hearthside customs, and trace the echoes of old songs carried on the wind. The podcast weaves together narrative and subtle historical context, letting each story reveal the character and concerns of the people who first told it. Eileen’s voice, both knowledgeable and warm, feels like a personal guide through this rich landscape, offering not just entertainment but a deeper connection to the cultural soul of Scotland. Listen for a sense of place, for the peculiar and the profound, and for the simple human truths preserved in these enduring traditions.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 25

Scottish Folk
Podcast Episodes
Scottish Faeries [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:04
A collection of Scottish faerie stories, traditions, beliefs and fragments of faeries in history, including the mysterious death of Netta Fornario on Iona.
Chapbooks, Faeries and Pirates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:32
Some charms and curses from Scottish 18th century Scotland, Pirates in the Highlands and lots of folktales from the Borders
Goddesses, Gods and Snakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:50
Connections between female deities and snakes and wolves and pigs in Scottish folklore. Featuring a farting ogress, a sea witch, a sea god and much more.
The Paths We Choose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:05
A mixture of history and folklore, stories about following a certain path. A dairymaid’s deal with the faeries, a minister martyred, the Cailleach’s Holy Grail and more…
Beltane Episode [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:00
Scottish traditions and stories of Beltane; including the Dragon of Kinnoull; the Salmon of Knowledge and the importance of sharing cake.
Some Favouites [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:54
A collection of ancient Scottish stories, some of your requested favourites and the first Fianna tale.
A Few Worthies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:50
Why sound is so important in Scottish folk culture, how did Gaelic save lives in WWII, a Giantess on St Kilda and some other worthies from Scottish history
Supernatural [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:40
For the 7th episode it only seems right to have stories of unexplained visions, supernatural creatures and weird history from Scotland
Some folklore [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:43
A collection of stories passed to me that I’m passing to you, including an origin tale, a fierce water spirit, faithful hounds, Scottish ancestral folk tradition and nature spirits.
Mystery Man of Ben Avon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:18
A true mystery from history. In 1938 two gamekeepers found the headless body of a man dressed in a business suit on the South East slopes of Ben Avon, one of the most isolated and remote locations of the Cairngorms.