Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs

Folklore of Scottish Lochs and Springs examines the beliefs and customs attached to Scotland’s waters, from early water worship to later Christianised holy wells. James M. Mackinlay discusses how springs acquired sacred reputations, and records traditions of healing, water cures, reported miracles and pilgrimages to wells associated with saints.

The book also gathers accounts of offerings, weather lore, sacred trees, charm-stones and wishing wells, alongside stories of water spirits inhabiting lochs, rivers and springs. Kelpies, mermaids and other reported beings appear within a wider study of how communities understood water as a source of blessing, danger and marvel. Its closing discussion considers how natural phenomena were interpreted through folklore, custom and belief.