Wonder Tales From Scottish Myth and Legend (Classic Reprint)

Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie is a great insight into Scottish legends and rich culture. Mackenzie puts together some of the most well-known stories that are at the heart of Scottish history and ancient beliefs. He explains how a majority of these have been passed on from generation to generation through the oral tradition via reciters. Revolving around deities and the acceptance of certain characters like the strong headed Beira or the Winter Queen, or The Powers that were responsible for change in seasons, Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend provides a fascinating account of folklore through a gripping narrative. The author starts with the Beira and moves on to other important deities, locations and forces that were central to Scottish legends. These include Princess of Land under Waves, Conall, Kingdom of Seals and Thomas the Rhymer among others. Replete with illustrations and an enchanting mix of prose with poetry, Wonder Tales from Scottish Myth and Legend is bound to captivate the reader with its magical tales. As Mackenzie points out, unlike Greek or other cultures, the gods and goddesses of Scottish tradition have not been sculpted or preserved for posterity through other forms of art. It is only literature as seen in this work that keeps the legends alive and helps in recounting the many anecdotes and incidents of the past. Of all the sections in the book, the author brings out the role of Beira as the Winter Queen the best. He is able to move the reader with an acute sense of immense power and fear while describing her in all her glory. Written in sanguine language, this book is perfect for the casual enthusiast looking for a starting point on Scottish history and legend while it is bound to bring a smile to the faces of those who have had the privilege of already knowing some of the stories found within this volume.