Midlothian Folk Tales

Midlothian Folk Tales gathers traditional stories rooted in the county’s varied landscapes, from rugged coastlines and rushing rivers to uplands and broad valleys. Lea Taylor’s retellings connect place with tales of kings and queens, saints and sinners, witches and wizards, ghosts and giants.

Fools and tricksters also appear among the collection’s memorable figures, bringing humour and mischief alongside darker folkloric elements. The stories reflect the character of Midlothian as a landscape inhabited by powerful, mysterious and sometimes comic beings. Taylor presents these narratives in an accessible storytelling style, complemented by Sylvia Troon’s line drawings. Together, the tales offer a local gathering of legends and traditional narratives shaped by the places in which they are set.