Scottish Borders Folk Tales

Scottish Borders Folk Tales gathers traditional stories rooted in the region’s landscapes, history and storytelling culture. Among its characters are the Lochmaben Harper, Tam Linn and Thomas the Rhymer, alongside Muckle Mou’d Meg and Michael Scot, the reputed wizard. The collection moves between ancient legend and more recent local tradition, with tales that can be dark, humorous, fantastical or powerful.

James P. Spence retells these accounts in a style shaped by his years as a storyteller, preserving something of their spoken quality. The language includes the rhythmic Scots of the Borders, while some stories were newly brought into print here. Together, they offer a varied record of the characters, beliefs and imaginative traditions associated with south-eastern Scotland.