The Scottish Fairy Book — Story, Setting & Ideas

The Dark and the Playful

Grierson's preface explicitly sets up a tension between the 'dark and gloomy view' of Scottish fairies and 'touches of delicate playfulness and brightness.' This is not a simple binary; the same tradition that feared kelpies and bogies also whispered of the 'sith,' who were 'always spoken of with respect, in case they might be within earshot.' The excerpt from 'The Master of the Black Art' exemplifies the darker side: Snorro, a wizard-like figure, is feared by islanders who consult him for medicines and love-potions but 'always looked upon him with a certain dread.' His companion, a 'grey-headed Raven,' reinforces the uncanny atmosphere. In contrast, the tale of the Earls of Orkney introduces a more human drama, where jealousy and silence shape character—Paul the Silent is beloved despite his lack of speech, while Harold the Orator, 'free of speech and ready with his tongue,' is disliked for his haughty temper. These contrasting moods suggest the collection moves between supernatural menace and moral complexity.

Silence and Speech in Orkney

The excerpt from 'The Earls of Orkney' offers a striking study in contrasts through the two half-brothers, Paul and Harold. Paul, 'tall, handsome, with dark hair and eyes like sloes,' is called 'Paul the Silent' or 'Paul the Taciturn,' yet his 'sweet and loving nature' wins the affection of all—old people's eyes brighten, children run to greet him. Harold, 'fair-haired and blue-eyed,' is 'Harold the Orator,' but his jealousy and quick temper make him unpopular; babes 'hid their faces in their mothers' skirts' at his approach. The narrative uses physical description and public reaction to dramatize a reversal: eloquence is paired with coldness, silence with warmth. This pattern recurs when Harold woos Lady Morna, who refuses him after glimpsing 'an evil expression in his eyes' and hearing him 'speak sharply to his servants.' Her refusal sets in motion a plot of guile and rivalry, suggesting that speech can deceive while silence may conceal virtue. Grierson's prose here is economical, letting actions and reactions carry the moral weight.

Giants, Quests, and Repetition

Grierson's preface describes the 'Celtic Stories' as 'wild and fantastic, and very often somewhat monotonous,' with themes 'strangely alike.' She notes that heroes or heroines set out on dangerous quests, meet 'giants, generally three in number,' hold 'quaint dialogues,' and eventually slay them. This structural repetition, she implies, gives the tales 'a peculiar fascination of their own,' distinct from the ordinary fairy tale. The excerpt does not include such a quest, but the preface's frank assessment invites readers to observe patterns across the collection. The 'monotonous' quality is not a flaw but a feature of oral tradition, where formulaic elements aided memory and performance. Grierson's editorial voice—scholarly yet accessible—positions her as a curator who values both the 'wild' Celtic tales and the later, more varied folklore. Readers may note how the Orkney tale, with its human rivalries and lack of supernatural giants, departs from the Celtic pattern, illustrating the range Grierson promises.

Grierson's collection rewards attention to the interplay between the preface's taxonomy and the tales themselves. The Orkney excerpt, with its focus on character and motive, contrasts with the preface's description of formulaic Celtic quests, suggesting the book offers more than one mode of wonder. Readers may find it useful to track how each tale fits—or defies—the categories Grierson outlines, and to note the recurring motifs of silence, speech, and the uncanny that surface across different stories.

Years shelving these old companions, I’ve noticed how Grierson’s Scottish sprites, all mischief and warning, settle into a quieter echo in Spenser’s ordered realm. Both worlds breathe with enchantment, yet one whispers caution while the other hums chivalry’s strange tune. There’s a kinship there, like neighbors sharing a hedge. The Faery Queen and Her Knights: Stories Retold from Edmund Spenser — Themes and Context lingers alongside, a fond memory of another wood, another wonder.