42. Return From the Dead: Witches, Warlocks, and The Water of Life

42. Return From the Dead: Witches, Warlocks, and The Water of Life

Author: The Scottish Folklore Podcast October 19, 2025 Duration: 27:40

What happens when death is not final? In Scottish folklore people returning from the dead is not only rare, but also, as we find out in this episode, absolutely terrifying. 


The three tales Jenny tells make up a spooky sandwich of scary stories: the first, ‘A Dead Wife Among the Fairies’ comes from North Ronaldsay on Orkney, the second, 

‘The Water or Life’ comes from the shores of Loch Fyne, and the third, 

‘Wizard Rising After Death’ comes from the remote hills of Ross-shire. 


But beware, these tales are not for the faint of heart, so listen at your own peril!


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Step into the misty glens and ancient castles of Scotland with The Scottish Folklore Podcast. Your guide, Jenny Johnstone, has a voice made for storytelling, drawing you directly into the heart of each narrative she shares. This isn't just a recitation of old stories; it's an immersion into the landscapes and mindsets that created them. You'll hear tales of selkies shedding their skins on rocky shores, encounters with the otherworldly inhabitants of the sidhe, and the clever exploits of legendary heroes whose names echo through the Highlands. Each episode is a journey to a specific place, uncovering the local lore that has been whispered for generations. The podcast weaves together threads from history, culture, and pure imaginative fiction, revealing how these stories served as both entertainment and a way to explain the mysterious world. It’s about the feeling of a peat fire on a dark night and the sense that magic might just be lingering in the next valley over. By focusing on one tale at a time, Jenny gives each story the space to breathe, allowing listeners to fully appreciate the character, tension, and wonder embedded in these traditional narratives. For anyone curious about the roots of Scottish culture or simply in love with a well-told tale, this podcast offers a direct and captivating connection to a rich oral heritage.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 57

The Scottish Folklore Podcast
Podcast Episodes
55. The Fairy Folk of Skye [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:42
The Isle of Skye is home to not only some of the most enchanting views in the world, but also a whole host of fairies! In this episode Jenny visits some of these fairies in their homes, first at the fairy knoll of An Sid…
54. Dog Tales: Folklore of our Furry Four Legged Friends [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:52
There are many tales, and indeed tails, of dogs in Scottish folklore, and in this episode Jenny tells as many as she can in half an hour - which is a surprising amount! From the ominous black dogs of The Bridge of Quholm…
53. The Sea Mither: The Battle for Spring and The Dreaded Nuckelavee [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:08
The Sea Mither is the Orcadian sea deity who brings the calm waters, warm weather, and bounty of spring and summer. But this is no easy feat, for first she must battle Teran, the fearsome winter god of the sea, for contr…
52. Will o’ the Wisps [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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51. Corp Creadha: Scottish Voodoo Dolls and Black Magic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:16
This episode sees Jenny exploring the mysterious and often malicious dark magic of Corp Creadha, or Clay Bodies. These are Scotland’s version of voodoo dolls, and although less well known than their famous counterparts,…
49. Tam o’ Shanter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:53
It’s Burns Night! On the 25th of January Scots all over the world come together to celebrate the life and works of the Bard himself, Rabbie Burns, and so in this episode Jenny recites his epic poem Tam o’ Shanter. This w…
48. Omens: Good, Bad, Worse and BIRDS! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:43
Learn how to tell the future the old fashioned way! The natural world is teeming with messages about things to come; from bats, to boats, to just about every bird there is, omens can be found throughout Scottish folklore…
47. Christmas Time Tales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:56
Yuletide is for feasting, festivities, and fireside stories! In this episode Jenny tells two traditional Christmas time tales, ‘Dancing in the Fairy Knoll’ from Glen Etive and Duncan Williamson’s ‘The Hare and The Scarec…
Scottish Yuletide and Hogmanay Traditions [Re-Release] [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:10
Join Jenny as she explores some of the many Yuletide and Hogmanay traditions, customs, rituals, and rites that have been practised in Scotland over the millennia. From ancient burial cairns being aligned with the setting…