49. Tam o’ Shanter

49. Tam o’ Shanter

Author: The Scottish Folklore Podcast January 25, 2026 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 wild tale takes place in Alloway, Ayrshire, where Burns was from, and follows a farmer Tam, as he drinks late into the night before heading home on his trusty steed, Meg. Unfortunately a storm is raging all around him, but the weather is the least of his concerns, for when he reaches Auld Alloway Kirk he stumbles upon a wild party of warlocks, witches, and the Devil himself!


The poem is in Scots, but worry not if you don’t understand it, Jenny also recites an English translation!


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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 knack for finding the heartbeat in old stories, sharing traditional tales gathered from every corner of the country. This isn't just a recitation of myths; it's an invitation to sit by a metaphorical fireside and listen as these narratives are woven anew. You'll hear of cunning fairies from the Orkney shores, restless spirits in Edinburgh's closes, and selkies shedding their skins on Hebridean beaches. Each story is a piece of local lore, a fragment of history and culture preserved through telling. The podcast delves into the societal values and fears embedded in these fictions, exploring why certain tales endure. Listening feels like uncovering a hidden layer of the landscape, where every loch and mountain has a story waiting to be told. It’s for anyone curious about the roots of storytelling, the peculiar creatures that haunt a nation's imagination, or simply for those who love a good yarn told with warmth and authenticity. Through Jenny’s engaging retellings, age-old adventures find a fresh voice, ensuring the strange and wonderful creatures of Scottish folklore are never forgotten.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The Scottish Folklore Podcast
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