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More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This is a fabulous treasury of legend and wonder; tales of monsters who dwell in lakes, of small people who trap humans in earthen mounds where time stands still; of dark, shape- shifting spirits whose cloak of human form is betrayed by the sand and shells which fall from their hair. In the absence of a written tradition, for generations of Skianachs, these tales, handed down orally, contained the very warp and weft of Hebridean history. They take us far beyond Christian times, to the edge of the Iron Age, and interweave with threads from the wider Atlantic tradition of Gaelic heroic myth and legend.
About the Author
Otta Swire was born in 1898 and spent many happy childhood holidays in Skye, where she became captivated by the islands rich history of folklore and began recording them in notebooks. She had these formally published in 1949, after she had moved to Skye to live permanently. She died in 1973.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
As well as relating the myths and legends to places easily identifiable whilst touring Skye, it does weave in references to real people and places. An interesting read as well as an important book passing on historical stories with the myths which were not written down in one volume before. I was very glad I stumbled across it.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The book itself is interesting, but anyone considering purchasing it should not be misled by the 2006 publication date - it is simply a reprint of a book first written in the 1950s. Not quite what I was expecting.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
3 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
An excellent accompaniment to a visit to the island of Skye.
24 Oct 1998
Format:Hardcover
The late Mrs Swire writes passionately about the place she loved. Locations are described clearly, enabling anyone but the very worst navigators to find what she describes. She also gives background information for most of the places she lists, along with appropriate legends and histories. No corner of the island is ignored in her writings. Many of the sites she discusses are illustrated with photographs and/or maps. In short, this is an essential guide when visiting Skye.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Charming book
15 May 2009
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I loved the language and stories in this book. It was delightful to be reading history one second and then jumping into a faerie tale. Skye is imbued with the magic of storytelling, which is what we humans seem to do best.
Historical Skye and Legendary Tales Best told
31 May 2012
Format:Paperback
What a delight this book is to read. Not only is the reader informatively lead along the various parts of Skye but the wit and humor of the author come along for the ride. The history alone is worthy but the fairy stories rival the human ones as well.
If you are curious why the MacDonalds, MacLeods, MacInnes and MacCrimmons may hold a grudge here or there at least some of the answers are in this book of real history. Who would have know that some parts of Skye are MacDonald territory and some are MacLeod? A proud people indeed, and so incredibly resourceful.
As the author takes the reader over a bridge, past a rock, or by a stream there is some associated legend of a fairy, demon, insane spouse or a heroic deed about which the author can relate. Simply amazing. If Skye is so loaded with history and legend just imagine what tales the rest of Scotland harbor?
A great read told in such a way the reader forgets where they might be at present but is drawn to reside somewhere in Skye. What a finely crafted island story is this book.
If you are curious why the MacDonalds, MacLeods, MacInnes and MacCrimmons may hold a grudge here or there at least some of the answers are in this book of real history. Who would have know that some parts of Skye are MacDonald territory and some are MacLeod? A proud people indeed, and so incredibly resourceful.
As the author takes the reader over a bridge, past a rock, or by a stream there is some associated legend of a fairy, demon, insane spouse or a heroic deed about which the author can relate. Simply amazing. If Skye is so loaded with history and legend just imagine what tales the rest of Scotland harbor?
A great read told in such a way the reader forgets where they might be at present but is drawn to reside somewhere in Skye. What a finely crafted island story is this book.
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