Folk lore : or, Superstitious beliefs in the west of Scotland within this century

In this compact study the author gathers the superstitions that still echo through the rural communities west of Glasgow, drawing on more than sixty years of personal observation. He examines how beliefs about the devil, witchcraft, second sight and protective charms shaped everyday life, from births and marriages to death rituals. The prose offers vivid snapshots of customs that might otherwise disappear, inviting listeners to hear the ordinary voices of a bygone era.

Beyond cataloguing oddities, the work links these practices to older seasonal festivals—Yule, Beltane, Midsummer and Halloween—showing how ancient sun and fire worship lingered beneath Christian celebrations. The author also reflects on the social impact of such folklore, suggesting that education slowly erodes these traditions while they continue to influence local attitudes. Listeners will come away with a nuanced picture of how superstition woven into community life both comforts and constrains its members.