Scottish Yuletide and Hogmanay Traditions [Re-Release]

Scottish Yuletide and Hogmanay Traditions [Re-Release]

Author: The Scottish Folklore Podcast December 14, 2025 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 winter solstice sun, to different types of divination, cow-hides and clubs, and of course, first-footing, these traditions are part of the celebration of the darkest days of the year, and the rebirth into a new cycle of life. 


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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: 56

The Scottish Folklore Podcast
Podcast Episodes
4. The Land of Green Mountains - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:18
After rebelling against The Lord of the Isles, Ronald Boo’e and his wife Morag flee to the legendary Land of Green Mountains, out by the edge of the world. This episode is part one of the epic adventure that follows!Foll…
3. Weird Witchcraft [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:53
The bubbling cauldron of Scottish folklore is brimming with tales of witches and witchcraft, and while all these stories are filled with strange supernatural happenings, some are more strange than others. Listen in and j…
2. Giants of Scotland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:56
There was once an ancient race of Giants that roamed the hills and glens of Scotland, and although they are now long gone, their stories have survived. In this episode of the Scottish Folklore Podcast Jenny tells two tre…
1. Thomas the Rhymer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:37
Journey back to the 13th century and down to the Scottish borders for perhaps the most well known fairy tale in all of Scotland, that of Thomas the Rhymer.Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram.Visit the websi…