Anne Ross gives a wonderful introduction to the lore of the Scottish Highlands and the Isles. She covers clan lore, second sight and the seer, witchcraft (both black and white), folk cures, the meaning of omens and social customs. She covers festivals dates through the year and gives readers a nifty list of folk museums, with drawings and maps to aid those readers unfamiliar with Scotland.

A Gaelic-speaking Celtic scholar and archaeologist, she brings her knowledge to bear on topics such as death rites and tries to remove the veneer of Christianity while exploring the origins in pagan customs that date back to the dawn of time.

It's a small book, only 170 pages, but Ross does a wonderful job bringing this part of All Things Scottish into the spotlight.

It is very rich is stories and tales handed down for centuries, yet given a new introspective with an eye to getting to the roots of the lore. Highly recommended.

- Rambles
written by DeborahAnne MacGillivray
published 17 May 2003