Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland

by Brian Cox (Narrator )

Our Bedtime Stories are designed to let you drift off with no nagging feeling that you need to listen through to the end. Their purpose is to let you slowly fall into peaceful, restful sleep.

With that in mind, we present actor Brian Cox—Golden Globe winner for his portrayal of media tycoon Logan Roy in HBO’s Succession—returning to his Scottish roots with these evocative tales from the Scottish Highlands.

Brian Cox, born in Dundee, Scotland, has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Royal National Theater extensively, where he gained recognition for his portrayal of King Lear. He played supporting roles in Rob Roy (1995) and in Mel Gibson’s Academy Award-winning Braveheart (1995). A winner of two Olivier Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, he was appointed to the Order of the British Empire at the rank of Commander.

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Fiction, Mythology

1 pages, Audible Audio

Published October 6, 2022

About the author

Brian Cox CBE is a Scottish film and stage actor.

He is known for his work with the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he gained recognition for his portrayal of King Lear. He has also appeared in many Hollywood productions playing parts such as Dr. Guggenheim in Rushmore and William Stryker in X2: X-Men United. He was the first actor to portray Hannibal Lecter on film in the 1986 production Manhunter.

Reviews

[Courtney Cameron-Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief and delightful listen! This work focuses on Scottish lore associated with the fae. Rich vocabulary, vivid descriptions and thoroughly enjoyable narration by its author, Brian Cox. If you’re an Audible subscriber, this one is well worth the the listen.

[Blair Hodgkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Cox's narration is naturally a delight and wins this reading an extra star. The superstitions given study are of elves and fairy-folk.

[Simon Sweetman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun story told in that brilliant voice..

[Robert Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5

[Anna C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scottish fairy lore in Brian Cox's soothing bass voice... no wonder Audible called this a "bedtime story." Very much my cup of tea.

[Lori Lunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short but interesting look into some of the faery and elf superstitions of Scotland. A fun little listen. Interesting to hear what they did to please them and help themselves. Plus Brian Cox is an excellent narrator!

[Annabelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt disjointed, but maybe because I was listening to it?

[AttackGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not long enough and detailed enough… do tell us more!


Even today as I attempt to find the right cord to plug in my iPad why are they always stilted and tangled and no one has researched why electrical cords get constantly tangled…. I’ve talked to the “spirit” about it always frustrating me, a 100 ft long extension cord walking straight across the yard and the minute I turn around it’s tangled or caught on something… ALWAYS. I’ve considered contacting the Vatican to ask which ‘spirit’ but now Perhaps now I have to consider something else….

[Nicodemous55 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brian Cox happens to be an amazing narrator and that's what the 4 stars are for. I wish he would have narrated the whole book this preview snippet came.

[Caconym · Rating 4 out of 5]

Utter no sense, but brilliant nonsense!

I really just loved Mr Cox's narration. Never mind the supertitious subject matter. He could be reciting a hardware store manual for all I care.

Storywise... ...honestly, one star. But then again, what story? And who cares? It's Brian Cox narrating. Good enough for me.

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this little book but was deeply disappointed. It turned out to be nothing more than a list of words by which the various fairies and elves and such were called. Even that was rendered useless because without seeing the many names, I had no hope of understanding what he was actually saying.

[Sheridan Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened on Audible..
I was quite disappointed the narrator didn't have a strong, rolling Scottish accent.
The book itself was enjoyable but the lack of authentic accent really took from the experience.

[Jessica George · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was an interesting history about fairies and the like, but very dry. Put me to sleep haha.

[Matthew Bane · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information was great but it wasn't as good as I assumed it'd be.

[Rachel Nagle]

40 minutes of fairy facts. 🤷‍♀️

[Nancie Lafferty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soothing voice but disjointed content. The listen felt like someone was reviewing their (albeit interesting) notes in preparation to writing a few stories.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superstitions of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland by Brian Cox.
Book 59 for 2023

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, not quite sure why Audible would call this a bedtime story. It actually kept me awake listening for the history of the "fairies" of the UK.

[Ben · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 this could easily have been 2-5 hours and still just scratched the surface. Ends rather abruptly.

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know what I was expecting… but not this. Brian Cox is great, however.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Interesting and fun.

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted this to be more of a story as they called it a bedtime story but it was more informative. Still really enjoyed learning more about Scottish mythology though! 🧚🏻‍♀️🧚🏻‍♂️🧚🧌

[Aighmi* · Rating 3 out of 5]

More of a very brief comparison of different faerie beliefs, not isolated to Scotland.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful, Brian Cox has a wonderful voice and this really was like being read a bedtime story

[RB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent narration, the myths themselves didn’t keep me engaged as much as I expected.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I chose this sleep story because I am Scottish. Very relaxing.

[Nikoleta Štrbáková · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was very disappointed by this book. I was expecting some legends and folk tales, but I was mistaken. It is a list of different kind of ferries that are rumored to live in Scottish Highland and Islands with description of what they look like, what their powers are etc. It sounds more like a dictionary.