–Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Many years ago, in a humble croft in Scotland, there lived an old woman with her son, Jack. Everyone in town knew about Jack.  He was, everyone knew,  a foolish boy Jack may not have been very smart, but he was strong, and cheerful, and willing to work, and he kept […]

Contributed by Marilyn McPhie Long, long ago in the Shetland Islands, there was a woman named Mallie.  Mallie’s husband had been lost at sea, so she was a widow, but she was not alone.  She had three sons, who were all fine young men, teenagers.  And like all teenagers, they seemed to always be hungry,

Contributed by Marilyn McPhie There was once a lass who went out at the cry of dawn to wash her face in the morning dew, for it was well known that the morning dew would make her skin soft and lovely.  But the lass never came home again. Her father frowned and her mother wept,

Contributed by Marilyn McPhie If you have ever been to Scotland, you know that legends and lore are everywhere to be seen and heard.  They are as ubiquitous as the taste of haggis or the skirl of the bagpipes. It seems that every church, every crossroads, every ancient tree – and certainly every stone has

Contributed by Marilyn McPhie In Scotland many centuries ago, there was a king.  He sat on his fine throne in his fine castle, surrounded by riches beyond compare, and he was content – even proud.  But one day there came a challenge.  An English lord, with lands and warriors and gold of his own, sent

Contributed by Marilyn McPhie There was once a young Scottish lairdie who was known to have a heart of gold.  Everyone said so.  It was because he could not bear to see people in trouble without trying to help them in some way.  He was as kind and good-natured a lad as could be found

  Contributed by Marilyn McPhie This old tale is taken from one of the 350 ballads recorded by James Child in the 19th century. Once long, long ago on a pleasant summer morn, the Earl of Mar’s daughter was walking with her maids in the garden. The girl looked around at the green grass, the