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Folk Tales
Orkney Folk Tales
The Orkney Islands are a place of mystery and magic, where the past and the present meet, ancient standing stones walk and burial mounds are the home of the trows. Orkney Folk Tales walks the reader across invisible islands that are home to fin folk and mermaids, and seals that are often far more than they appear to be. Here Orkney witches raise storms and predict the outcomeof battles, ghosts seek revenge and the Devil sits in the rafters of St Magnus Cathedral, taking notes! Using ancient tales told by the firesides of the Picts and Vikings, storyteller Tom Muir takes the reader on a magical journey where he reveals how the islands were created from the teeth of a monster, how a giant built lochs and hills in his greed for fertile land, and how the waves are controlled by the hand of a goddess.
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2014
24 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 4, 2025
With the Orkney Islands (situated just off the northern tip of Scotland), their crossroads between Celtic and Scandinavian culture is of course also strongly reflected in Orcadian folk tales, so that Orkney lore generally shows an interesting mixture of Scottish, Irish, Cornish and Welsh thematics blended with Shetlandish, Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, Icelandic and Faroese topics (and not to mention that the folktales of the Orkney Islands also tend to mirror and to contain many aspects of general Indo-European mythology, including heroic quests, dragons, magical swords and horses, deities of the sky and of the ocean to name a few examples). And with his published in 2014 Orkney Folk Tales, Tom Muir presents a diverse (and also for the most part very nicely readable as well as enjoyable) collection of Orcadian folk tales (and where we as readers textually encounter an intriguing legend about how the Mermaid acquired a tail and which actually links mermaids to the Biblical Eve and to certain Germanic and Norse goddesses, the story of Ursilla and her male Selkie lover, the strange fate of Janet, the Storm Witch, the quest of Jessie and the Book of the Black Arts, the haunting, tragic account of Scotta Bess and a man who loved not wisely, but too well and of course and indeed many many more).
Now I have found all of the stories in Orkney Folk Tales entertaining, but yes indeed, my favourites have definitely been the stories which explain how specific places and landscapes were created (the so-called pourquoi tales). But for me, the most delightful of said pourquoi tales (and also my hands-down favourite story of Orkney Folk Tales) is Assipattle and and the Stoor Worm, a story that combines the common in much of Europe Cinderella figure (but yes, a male Cinderella, and with Assipattle's name also closely linguistically resembling the German word for Cinderella, namely Aschenputtel) with Viking hero quests (and a monster to be vanquished that is akin to the Midgard serpent Jörmungandr of Norse and Germanic mythology) and also providing an explanation of how the Orkney Islands, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands and Iceland as well as the Baltic Sea were created when Assipattle killed the Stoor Worm and rescued everyone, and yes, with another favourite tale of Orkney Folk Tales being the seasonal pourquoi tale (winter versus spring) of Mither of the Sea (where the two ancient deities doing battle pretty strongly remind me of the ancient Greek myth of Demeter, Hades and Demeter's daughter Persephone).
And yes, and finally, Tom Muir uses a nicely flowing, readily assimilated style in the telling of Orkney Folk Tales and this making Orkney Folk Tales a pure pleasure to read (and indeed, many of these stories also feel like one is not just reading the tales but equally having them orally related, having them verbally told). Five stars for the collection of folktales, but sorry, I will have to lower my rating for Orkney Folk Tales to four stars (since the table of contents Muir provides for Orkney Folk Tales is not all that user friendly and that the endnotes are for some reason provided without the corresponding page numbers for the respective and featured examples).
Now I have found all of the stories in Orkney Folk Tales entertaining, but yes indeed, my favourites have definitely been the stories which explain how specific places and landscapes were created (the so-called pourquoi tales). But for me, the most delightful of said pourquoi tales (and also my hands-down favourite story of Orkney Folk Tales) is Assipattle and and the Stoor Worm, a story that combines the common in much of Europe Cinderella figure (but yes, a male Cinderella, and with Assipattle's name also closely linguistically resembling the German word for Cinderella, namely Aschenputtel) with Viking hero quests (and a monster to be vanquished that is akin to the Midgard serpent Jörmungandr of Norse and Germanic mythology) and also providing an explanation of how the Orkney Islands, the Shetland Islands, the Faroe Islands and Iceland as well as the Baltic Sea were created when Assipattle killed the Stoor Worm and rescued everyone, and yes, with another favourite tale of Orkney Folk Tales being the seasonal pourquoi tale (winter versus spring) of Mither of the Sea (where the two ancient deities doing battle pretty strongly remind me of the ancient Greek myth of Demeter, Hades and Demeter's daughter Persephone).
And yes, and finally, Tom Muir uses a nicely flowing, readily assimilated style in the telling of Orkney Folk Tales and this making Orkney Folk Tales a pure pleasure to read (and indeed, many of these stories also feel like one is not just reading the tales but equally having them orally related, having them verbally told). Five stars for the collection of folktales, but sorry, I will have to lower my rating for Orkney Folk Tales to four stars (since the table of contents Muir provides for Orkney Folk Tales is not all that user friendly and that the endnotes are for some reason provided without the corresponding page numbers for the respective and featured examples).
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August 1, 2023A wonderful book of myths
I loved this book, full of Scottish myths and legends, and how the author added his own tales and versions from his family into the mix. A great read, really enjoyed it. Learnt more about Orkney, and its fabulous folklore, and has inspired some stories of my own.
I loved this book, full of Scottish myths and legends, and how the author added his own tales and versions from his family into the mix. A great read, really enjoyed it. Learnt more about Orkney, and its fabulous folklore, and has inspired some stories of my own.
March 7, 2023
Many entertaining tales, and done in context by a native of the islands. Who knew that the Orkneys had closer ties to Norway than to Scotland, culturally? I like learning that sort of thing. And maybe now I'll keep fin men, mermaids, kelpies, and selkies straight.
October 21, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book of Orkney folk tales, it contains many interesting and well written tales. My children enjoyed listening to me reading some of them at bedtime and opted many times for me to read from it over ones in their cupboard, I just left out any sentences that seemed inappropriate to tell them. My favourite chapters are "Earth, Sea and Sky", as well as "Selkie Folk" and "Shipwrecks". Will read again!
July 3, 2019
I've recently been to Orkney and brought this back home. I think this is one of the cutest folk tales book I've ever read! I love the way Tom Muir writes, as if he were actually telling the story, and I appreciated the references to real people and current times, which made the tales sound real.
The illustrations weren'e much to look at, though.
The illustrations weren'e much to look at, though.
September 11, 2022
As a child I was fascinated by collections of folk tales from around the world and read and re-read many volumes. But it is a while since I have read any, and these were a joy, a really wonderful reminder of that childhood pleasure as well as underlining the key role stories and sagas have played in the social and cultural lives of earlier generations. I especially like how such stories provide clues as to the fears and seemingly unexplained troubles particular communities experienced and endured, how they tried to make sense of them, and the creativity involved. I find it positive and reassuring to know storytelling and fiction have always been important to humanity. And here, for some reason, I am particularly drawn to the notion of selkies.
September 17, 2021
This is a lovely collection of folk tales. There are a many tales about love and marriage, and several about beings that appear human, but are actually sea creatures. Putting these two concepts together, there is a the disquieting notion that we often do not really have any basic understanding of the person we love/marry; they are of a different species, alien to us. Yet we love them, maybe they love us, maybe they leave us.
May 9, 2019
As with most all collections, this one is filled with tales that are quite good, average, and nothing much to write home to you about.
These folk tales are sometimes pretty short and easily forgettable. However...
My two favorites were these: the first, entitled "Assipattle and the Stoor Worm" and a later entry entitled "Sati". If you give this book a read, see if you agree.
Some of the tales hark back to tales you've heard before from other cultures and countries no doubt. That would be because folk tales like to travel and often pick up accents from wherever they settle.
These folk tales are sometimes pretty short and easily forgettable. However...
My two favorites were these: the first, entitled "Assipattle and the Stoor Worm" and a later entry entitled "Sati". If you give this book a read, see if you agree.
Some of the tales hark back to tales you've heard before from other cultures and countries no doubt. That would be because folk tales like to travel and often pick up accents from wherever they settle.
September 23, 2021
I loved this shallow dive into the folk tales of orkney. At some points real and alleged history was muddled a bit too much for my liking, but other than that it was a very enjoyable book and gave a good insight into a culture I know little about.
January 7, 2024
Still can't comprehend how there can be so many legends based around this relatively small group of islands. An interesting although quite repetitive read that gives another layer when travelling up north.
December 24, 2025
Hi! Your writing genuinely pulled me in, especially the way you handle emotional moments. A few scenes felt very visual to me.
I’m a commission-based narrative artist, and if you ever want to explore a comic or webtoon version, feel free to reach out.
📩 Discord & Instagram: lizziedoesitall
I’m a commission-based narrative artist, and if you ever want to explore a comic or webtoon version, feel free to reach out.
📩 Discord & Instagram: lizziedoesitall
January 28, 2019
A great read if you've recently been to Orkney or plan a trip there and love to associate already wonderful landscapes with fascinating myths and folklore.
September 3, 2023
Tom has done it again.. a storytellers paradise.. excellent book.
August 24, 2018
Orkney Folk Tales by Tom Muir covers a broad range of topics like giants and trows and Selkies (not to be confused with Fin Folk) and shipwrecks. It is written as a story-teller speaks, including asides thrown in for the modern audience.
“Imagine the oil in the Stoor Worm’s liver. It would be enough to solve our energy requirements forever.” (p 20)
The commentary connecting each short tale allows a natural flow and each chapter forms a whole. Each focuses on a different aspect of the fantastical. (The flow did falter somewhat towards the end of the book but whether that was due to deadlines or trying to fit all the orphan pieces in, I couldn’t say.)
Anyway, a terrific and enjoyable introduction to Orkney myth and legend.
“Imagine the oil in the Stoor Worm’s liver. It would be enough to solve our energy requirements forever.” (p 20)
The commentary connecting each short tale allows a natural flow and each chapter forms a whole. Each focuses on a different aspect of the fantastical. (The flow did falter somewhat towards the end of the book but whether that was due to deadlines or trying to fit all the orphan pieces in, I couldn’t say.)
Anyway, a terrific and enjoyable introduction to Orkney myth and legend.
December 18, 2023
This has to be one of my favourite books of folk and fairy tales! I picked it up while visiting Orkney, and couldn't put it down. The stories are retold masterfully, but without being overlong. Many are very humorous, some with good morals, but all are just great little tales.
It's not too long a book, but still provides a great insight into the tales that surround the islands. A great read for anyone who loves fairy tales, folktales, myths, legends and so on. Even good if you are into the more human aspect of history, as it provides a lovely insight into the mindset of our ancient kin.
If you can get yourself a copy, i recommend it. I've read this over and over and still love it!
It's not too long a book, but still provides a great insight into the tales that surround the islands. A great read for anyone who loves fairy tales, folktales, myths, legends and so on. Even good if you are into the more human aspect of history, as it provides a lovely insight into the mindset of our ancient kin.
If you can get yourself a copy, i recommend it. I've read this over and over and still love it!
December 10, 2015
A great collection of various odd folk tales from the author's home islands. As one of the greatest trips I have ever taken (almost 2 weeks) Orkney was in many ways the pinnacle of my years in Scotland. I have devoured its cuisine and history, and with an upcoming project of my own, I wanted to devour some of its folklore as well. A truly fantastic place which deserves this collection to help preserve its unique folklore for those not from the region.
April 7, 2015
4.5/5 I enjoyed the chapters 'Earth, Sea and Sky;' 'Mermaids;' 'Fin Folk and Vanishing Islands;' 'Selkie Folk;' 'Witches' and 'Ghosts' the best.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews