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
Whisky Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:10
Stories from Scottish history about illicit stills, smugglers and going legit. Also a wee folktale from Balloch and the Scottish love story that started the Japanese whisky industry.
Poaching [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:19
The Hermit of Kinpurnie, Ferreting, A 19th century notorious poacher, an accidental Bronze Age find and evasive women poachers.
The Weird [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:08
A wee collection of stories about found poems, ouija boards, cursed arrows and what it meant to be a wayward woman in 17th Century Scotland