
audiobook
by James M. (James Murray) Mackinlay
PREFATORY NOTE.
FOLKLORE OF SCOTTISH LOCHS AND SPRINGS. - CHAPTER I. - Worship of Water.
CHAPTER II. - How Water became Holy.
CHAPTER III. - Saints and Springs.
CHAPTER IV. - More Saints and Springs.
CHAPTER V. - Stone Blocks and Saints’ Springs.
CHAPTER VI. - Healing and Holy Wells.
CHAPTER VII. - Water-Cures.
CHAPTER VIII. - Some Wonderful Wells.
CHAPTER IX. - Witness of Water.
This volume offers a detailed survey of the folklore surrounding Scotland’s lochs and springs, focusing especially on the long‑standing tradition of well‑worship north of the Tweed. Drawing on a wide range of historic sources—from early travelogues to antiquarian journals—the author weaves together the names, legends, and local customs attached to each celebrated water site. Readers will discover how stories of miracles, protective charms, and seasonal rites have been passed down through generations.
The book not only records the names of dozens of wells and their associated myths, but also places them within the broader tapestry of Celtic and early Christian belief. Each entry is accompanied by vivid anecdotes—tales of healing waters, pilgrim offerings, and eerie encounters that still echo in today’s rural communities. For anyone fascinated by landscape lore or the hidden narratives that shape Scotland’s cultural heritage, this collection serves as both a reference and a compelling listening experience.
Language
en
Duration
~9 hours (543K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jeroen Hellingman and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net/ for Project Gutenberg (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/American Libraries.)
Release date
Nov 22, 2017
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
d. 1916
A Scottish minister and folklorist, he wrote vivid studies of holy wells, lochs, place-names, and church dedications that preserve older layers of Scottish belief and custom. His books blend patient research with a real feel for the stories people told about the landscape around them.
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