
Step into the rolling hills and mist‑shrouded glens of Scotland with this charming collection of traditional ballads, each brought to life by vivid, full‑page colour illustrations. The verses capture the wit, wonder and occasional mischief that have echoed through Scottish cottages for centuries, offering listeners a taste of the nation’s rich oral heritage. Whether recounting heroic feats, clever curses, or humble folk wisdom, the tales invite the imagination to wander across lochs and heather‑covered moors.
In the opening story, an aged, blind harpist from Lochmaben dreams of outwitting King Henry himself by stealing the monarch’s prized brown horse. He shares his daring scheme with his practical wife, who quietly supplies a crucial piece of the plan—a loyal mare and foal that might just turn his fantasy into reality. As the couple prepares for the impossible, listeners are drawn into a gentle, humorous tug‑of‑war between folly and cleverness, setting the tone for the many adventures that follow.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (390K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Stephane Charland, Juliet Sutherland and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2009-03-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Best known for retelling Scottish fairy stories, ballads, and legends for younger readers, this Scottish writer also had a gift for making places and history feel vivid and welcoming. Her books move easily between folklore, children's fiction, travel, and local heritage.
View all books