After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal Episode Summary: "Scotland's Darkest Folklore" Release Date: April 7, 2025

Hosts: Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling
Guest: Donald Smith, Founding Director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre

Introduction to Scotland's Dark Folklore

In this captivating episode of After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal, hosts Anthony Delaney and Maddy Pelling delve into the rich and eerie tapestry of Scottish folklore. Joined by esteemed storyteller Donald Smith, the conversation explores some of Scotland’s most enduring and sinister myths, including the kayak, kelpies, and selkies. This episode sets the stage for a four-part series examining the dark folklore traditions across Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and England.

The Kayak: Scotland's Weather Goddess

Donald Smith opens the discussion with an exploration of the kayak, a fundamental yet often overlooked figure in Scottish folklore. Described as a "background weather goddess," the kayak is deeply intertwined with the natural forces and the changing seasons that shape Scotland's landscape.

Donald Smith [06:15]: "The kayak is the most pervasive piece and yet little recognized piece of Scottish folklore. She's a creator, the woman who stirs the powers of nature, who harnesses and creates the forces of the weather and the seasons."

Smith emphasizes the ancient origins of the kayak, suggesting its roots may extend back to prehistoric times. The kayak is associated with natural landmarks and phenomena, such as Loch Awe and the Corivreken whirlpool, underscoring her role in shaping the environment.

Donald Smith [07:39]: "I think it's our oldest piece of folklore and is certainly prehistoric... she's part of the change of the seasons."

The kayak embodies the duality of creation and destruction, embodying both the nurturing and the tempestuous aspects of nature. This duality is reflected in the cyclical nature of the seasons, where the kayak’s power wanes and resurges in her daughter, Bride, the goddess of spring.

Janet Boyman's Tale: The Intersection of Folklore and Witchcraft

Smith recounts the story of Janet Boyman, a healer in 16th-century Edinburgh who becomes the first person executed under witchcraft statutes. This narrative intertwines the ancient folklore of the kayak with the historical tide of witch trials, illustrating the tension between traditional beliefs and institutionalized religion.

Donald Smith [13:45]: "Janet was the first under that statute to be executed as a witch. There's a connection between the older fertility and nature wisdom and all the rest of it, there's this sort of connection between the two and a kind of denigration of that older tradition."

Boyman's story highlights how traditional folklore and pagan beliefs were suppressed by the burgeoning Protestant movement, leading to the persecution of those who held onto ancient practices. The kayak’s influence is subtly woven into this narrative, portraying her as a potent symbol of nature's wisdom in a time of societal upheaval.

The Kelpies: Sinister Water Horses

Transitioning to another mythical creature, Smith describes the kelpie—a malevolent water horse known for luring unsuspecting individuals into deep waters to drown them.

Donald Smith [18:49]: "A kelpie is a water horse, an inhabitant of deep pools or rivers or lochs... very sinister, very dangerous."

Kelpies are depicted as alluring yet deadly, embodying the perilous nature of Scotland's abundant and treacherous waters. Smith critiques modern representations, such as Andy Scott’s sculptures, which may sanitize these dark legends.

Donald Smith [19:54]: "The kelpies really are seriously nasty. Those marvelous horse sculptures are quite inspiring, I think."

The lore of kelpies serves as a cautionary tale about the deceptive beauty of nature and the hidden dangers lurking beneath.

Selkies: The Tragic Seal People

The conversation then shifts to selkies, enchanting beings capable of transforming between seal and human forms. Unlike kelpies, selkies embody a more complex relationship between humans and the natural world, blending allure with tragedy.

Donald Smith [22:47]: "Selkies are creatures who can move between seal and human form... there's a tragic love story element to it."

Selkie tales often revolve around love and loss, where humans are irresistibly drawn to selkies but ultimately cannot bridge the divide between land and sea. These stories reflect the deep emotional connections and conflicts inherent in humanity's relationship with nature.

Maddy Pelling [25:39]: "The ecological focus of so many of these folk tales... the moralizing of that relationship between human beings and the land, the sea, the weather, nature itself."

The Power of Storytelling: Preservation and Evolution

Smith emphasizes the crucial role of storytelling in preserving these ancient myths and adapting them to contemporary contexts. Inspired by the Scottish Traveller storyteller Stanley Robertson, Smith highlights how oral traditions keep folklore alive, allowing it to evolve while maintaining its core essence.

Donald Smith [28:09]: "The continuing of the telling of these stories... feels, to many people, more relevant than ever."

Through storytelling, these myths not only entertain but also impart moral lessons and reflect societal values, ensuring their endurance across generations.

A Modern Selkie Tale: Bridging Past and Present

In a poignant culmination, Donald Smith narrates an original selkie story that bridges traditional folklore with modern themes of conservation and empathy. The tale follows a seal hunter who, after a harrowing encounter with a selkie, transforms his relationship with these creatures from one of exploitation to one of protection.

Donald Smith [30:03]: "The seal hunter never hunts seals again and decides to establish a sanctuary for seals and spends the rest of his life looking after and caring for the seal people."

This narrative underscores the evolving nature of folklore, demonstrating how ancient stories can inform and inspire contemporary ethical stances toward the natural world.

Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Scottish Folklore

As the episode draws to a close, hosts Anthony and Maddy reflect on the profound messages embedded within Scottish folklore. They acknowledge the timeless relevance of these stories, which continue to resonate by addressing universal themes of nature, humanity, and morality.

Maddy Pelling [27:37]: "The stories that we tell can serve different purposes and have... universal messages... and also messages that do change over time and that we can make of them what we will."

Donald Smith's contributions offer listeners a deep appreciation for Scotland's dark folklore, highlighting the importance of preserving these narratives as living, evolving elements of cultural heritage.

Notable Quotes

• Donald Smith [06:15]: "The kayak is the most pervasive piece and yet little recognized piece of Scottish folklore. She's a creator, the woman who stirs the powers of nature, who harnesses and creates the forces of the weather and the seasons."

• Donald Smith [18:49]: "A kelpie is a water horse, an inhabitant of deep pools or rivers or lochs... very sinister, very dangerous."

• Donald Smith [22:47]: "Selkies are creatures who can move between seal and human form... there's a tragic love story element to it."

• Maddy Pelling [25:39]: "The ecological focus of so many of these folk tales... the moralizing of that relationship between human beings and the land, the sea, the weather, nature itself."

• Donald Smith [28:09]: "The continuing of the telling of these stories... feels, to many people, more relevant than ever."

For those intrigued by Scotland's dark folklore, this episode offers a rich exploration of myth, culture, and the enduring power of storytelling.