Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales, Edited by Gordon Jarvie

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Reviewed by Ben Higgins

Scottish Folk and Fairy Tales, Edited by Gordon Jarvie

The main difference between this and the 1992 first edition is the inclusion of Scots language, so classics such as "Thomas the Rhymer" and "Tam Lin" are restored to their vernacular origins.

The result is an improvement. Occasionally a little dense, the language in this range of stories and poems is a fascinating part of the Scottish folk tapestry. Concerned mostly with loss and death, often set against horrific historical backgrounds, the quality of these tales is assured by their oral tradition. They are recorded by such indefatigable collectors of folk stories as James Hogg, Robert Burns, and JF Campbell.