In each episode of The Scottish Folklore Podcast host Jenny Johnstone retells traditional Scottish folk tales from around the country, bringing age-old adventures, local lore, and strange creatures to life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest episodes

61. Harvest: Maidens, Black Magic and More

September 27, 2026 · 23 min

The Autumn Equinox has just passed and harvest in Scotland is well underway. This was an incredibly important time of year, where no risk was taken that might compromise the harvest, and every tradition and superstition was followed to the…
60. Brownies: Hairy Little Household Helpers

September 13, 2026 · 30 min

Brownies are odd little folkloric spirits who help out around the house purely because they like to. But be warned, they are as easy to please as they are to lose, and tales of their touchiness can be found in every nook and cranny of…
59. Rannoch: Changelings, Clans, and The Second Sight

August 9, 2026 · 33 min

Rannoch is a thin place, an area where the veil between our world and the Other World is said to be rather raggedy, and all sorts of strange things can pass between. Lying in the heart of Scotland, Rannoch stretches from Schiehallion in…
58. The Blue Men of The Minch

July 19, 2026 · 24 min

The poetry-slinging, storm-bringing Blue Men of The Minch are only found in one place in Scotland, the strait of water between the Outer Hebrides in the west and the mainland & Skye in the east. The turbulent and ever changing waters here…
57. The Midge: Scotland’s Most Vicious Predator

July 5, 2026 · 26 min

The blasted, buzzing, biting midge is the most vicious predator in all of Scotland. One alone is not much to worry about, but they rarely come alone! In this episode Jenny looks at some of the lore around the minuscule midge, including…
56. The Loch Ness Monster and St Columba

June 14, 2026 · 31 min

It’s time for a monster hunt! The Loch Ness Monster is perhaps the most famous Scot in the world, yet despite her renown she’s a very shy girl. The vast majority of sightings come from after the 1933 boom, when Nessie went global, yet the…
55. The Fairy Folk of Skye

May 24, 2026 · 38 min

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 Sidhean just south…
54. Dog Tales: Folklore of our Furry Four Legged Friends

May 10, 2026 · 32 min

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 Quholmslee and Loch…