Pilgrims of the Mist: The Stories of Scotland's Travelling People

by Sheila Stewart

Sheila Stewart, singer, storyteller and author, is one of the last in the line of Scotland's traveling people. The way of life of the old travelers—tramping the country roads, camping in the woods, hawking, fortune-telling and temporary work on farms—has now all but died out. Before the memories melted away like winter snow, Sheila gathered from family and friends this wonderful collection of travelers' tales. Here are the stories that she and her parents used to listen to by the camp fire as the shadows of night clustered around. There are magical tales here, tales of hauntings and sudden deaths, tales of lovers and childbirths, tales of cruel hardship in a land where all too often the travelers were spurned as social outcasts. There are happy stories too, in which the travelers outwit their persecutors and prosper. Many of the stories recount true events that happened to Sheila and her relations. Running through them all is a vein of humor, laughter in the face of adversity. These aren't polite versions of folk tales that are suitable for the nursery or the Disney studio. They can be rough and tough and earthy, and show with unblinking clarity the rawness of life on the edge. But they have the grotesque and haunting imagery, the depth and power of the real folk tradition. This collection of stories, written down when they were on the point of vanishing into oblivion, has in it the potential to become a classic of its kind.

Genres: Scotland, Short Stories

198 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2008

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads database. ^3

Sheila Stewart, singer, storyteller and author, is one of the last in the line of Scotland's traveling people.

Reviews

[Eneas Caro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has been a long time taken in reading. I bought it in the town of Pitlochry for 2 pounds in a quaint secondhand shop and started reading it there and then, in the Scottish highlands. The stories of Scotland were read during our stay there and have been read slowly and pleasantly over time. They were told out loud and enjoyed orally, as they were meant to be. Now, almost one year to the day, it has run out. Thus, the 5 stars come from the heart, because the tales told in this volume are not the greatest literature you'll read, nor the most hooking thrillers and adventures. They are simple stories of simple peoples who roamed the countryside of Scotland and who have been, for the most part, forgotten.

Every time I read them, they not only carry on their natural evocative nature -for that was their nature-, but they also take me back to the hills and forests of Scotland once again. My second home.

[Ginebra Lavao Lizcano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy to read book full of stories about the travelers in Scotland. I found most stories to be very dull and lacking elements of intrigue or captivation. Some stories did not have a good structure and lack the veracity needed to make them interesting despite the lack of captivation. The book is fine for those just wanting to see how the life of the traveling people was, but it's not suitable for anyone wanting to read fascinating stories.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting mixed bag of stories, some about travellers in Scotland and the rest of the UK and some told by them. The ghostly stories were my favorites. Not a collection of solely happy stories though, some truly horrific tales of abuse the travellers suffered, for being travellers. Recommended. An enlightening and interesting read

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars - this book was so much more than I expected. The stories are so terribly sad but to see such joy in the travellers lives is also so heartwarming. The way they tell stories is such a skill as well. I love how it’s written with Scottish language as well. It’s not often a book makes me laugh out loud. However it was a bit boring and slow to read at times.

[Mrs L. Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best

Really loved this book some parts sad. Some parts amusing. True stories , in arts and some you to make your own mind up about.

[Shinyfluff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant beautifully recounted series of collected tales.

[Laura Page · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have got to admit that I liked reading about my family's ancestors and I've heard a lot of stories over the years.
I also have to admit that I think these stories are a little far fetched and has stories in it that are not related to travellers, The stories in this book don't make any sense and while I'm reading them I start to get to the end of it then I think 'what was the point of it?'
I believe there's no sense in this story and maybe it's my opinion but I think that when you read it you will agree.

[Ashmi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book I picked up in Scotland... tales so similar to those of day laborers and villagers even in India. Preserves a piece of Scottish history.