The Silver Bough

The Silver Bough is the first volume of F. Marian McNeill’s four-volume study of Scottish folklore, folk-belief and festival tradition. It considers the survival and transformation of older beliefs within Scottish culture, including material connected with Druids, Celtic gods, sacred places, ritual practice and the Otherworld.

McNeill also gathers accounts of fairy faith, second sight, witchcraft, charms, healing, divination and beliefs surrounding death. The volume sets these subjects alongside references to Highland and Island traditions, Gaelic culture, local legends and seasonal customs. The following volumes turn to Scotland’s national festivals, from Candlemas and Beltane through Hallowe’en and Yule, before examining local celebrations across the country.