Skip to product information
The Folklore of Orkney and Shetland
£9.99
The Folklore of Orkney and Shetland
Traditional tales and customs from Orkney and Shetland
Access Your Content in Seconds
- Complete your purchase on our store.
- Download The Grey Hill App (free).
- Log in using the same email from checkout.
- Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.
All content is securely delivered through our app and not offered as a Shopify download.
About the Ebook
The two island groups of Orkney and Shetland have much in common. In each the grey stone houses and treeless landscapes are scoured in winter by stinging gales, and in summer lie under the endless days of the 'simmer din'.
Originally Norwegian, they have been part of Scotland for five hundred years, but their many and varied legends, folk tales and customs are still saturated with Norse influences. While this book tells tales and discusses beliefs that are known throughout the northern isles, it also outlines those elements which are unique to each island group. The Folklore of Orkney and Shetland is the standard account of what to this day is one of the richest repositories of lore and custom in Britain.
Ernest Marwick not only recounts countless tales which have been transmitted aurally and by writing, but also places these tales within geographical and historical contexts, thus enabling a deeper appreciation of this wonderful material. A bibliography is also included, together with an index of tale types and motifs.
Why You'll Love This Ebook
- Discover traditional tales and customs from Orkney and Shetland
- Explore the folklore of Scotland's northern island communities
- Engage with rich oral tradition and local belief
- Read another celebrated title from Origin - an imprint of Birlinn Ltd
About the Author
Ernest Marwick was born 1915 in Evie, Orkney. He started off working on the family farm, but went on to become a distinguished scholar specialising in folklore, local history, and poetry. Additionally, he went into broadcasting and writing and editing. In 1960 he founded the first local radio programme Town and Country with the BBC. The Folklore of Orkney and Shetland was published in 1975 and he then went on to collect and assemble The History of the Orkney People in the Nineteenth Century. He died in 1977.Publication Details
Publisher: Origin (an imprint of Birlinn Ltd)
Publication Date: 07 May 2020
Print Length: 216 pages (Ebook edition)
ISBN (Ebook): 9781788852722
Format: Ebook
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I access my ebook?
Download The Grey Hill App and log in using the same email you used at checkout. Your ebook will appear instantly in your library.
Can I read it online?
Yes — you can also access your purchases via our online reader at reader.thegreyhill.com.
I can't see my ebook — what should I do?
Tap the refresh button in the app or online reader. If it still doesn't appear, ensure you're logged in with the same email used at checkout. If issues continue, contact us and we'll help right away.
Can I gift this ebook?
Yes — you can purchase a Grey Hill Gift Card here: Buy a Gift Card. The recipient can redeem it on our store, and the ebook will appear in The Grey Hill App.