Treasury of fanciful, picturesque narratives tell of brownies, kelpies, mermen, and other supernatural creatures that assist, annoy, and otherwise meddle in the lives of simple Scottish country folk. A delightful collection of imaginative and entertaining nursery and fairy tales, animal fables, witchcraft lore, and stories with a comic twist.

The authorities told folk what they ought to believe, but what did they really believe? Throughout Scottish history, people have believed in fairies. They were a part of everyday life, as real as the sunrise, and as incontrovertible as the existence of God. While fairy belief was only a fragment of a much larger complex, the implications of studying this belief tradition are potentially vast, revealing some understanding of the worldview of the people of past centuries. This book, the first modern study of the subject, examines the history and nature of fairy belief, the major themes and motifs, the demonising attack upon the tradition, and the attempted reinstatement of the reality of fairies at the end of the seventeenth century, as well as their place in ballads and in Scottish literature.

Mystery and excitement abound in this lively collection of fairy tales, folklore and legends, which celebrate Scotland's enormously rich oral tradition and offers a carefully chosen combination of old favourites such as Tam Lin, Thomas Rymer and Adam Bell, as well as more modern stories by master story-tellers like Andrew Lang, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and John Buchan.

Slithering stoorworms, mischievous brownies, fierce kelpies and magical selkies are exquisitely brought to life for children in Theresa Breslin's enchanting tales and Kate Leiper's otherwordly illustrations.

Charming collection of ancient and modern Scottish stories includes "Battle of the Fairy Kings," "Conall and the Thunder Hag," "In the Kingdom of Seals," "The Maid-of-the-Wave," and many more. 34 illustrations.

Twenty-nine tales from the folklore of Turkey, India, Denmark, Armenia, and the Sudan.

It is almost impossible to envision what childhood would be like without the enchanting world of fairyland. Princes and princesses, flying dragons, monsters and magicians, giants and dwarfs, ogres and fairies—these are the companions who thrill youngsters of all lands and times. This book contains 19 such tales. Coming from all quarters of the world, including France, England, Germany, Russia and Persia, the stories provide rich insight into the lives and cultures of different peoples. Narrated in clear, lively and easy to understand language, the tales are enriched with beautiful illustrations.