Follow The Windswept Scottish Islands' Charming Folklore Trail, Narrated By A Local Storyteller

Located off the northern coast of Scotland is Orkney, an archipelago consisting of over 70 islands, 20 of which are inhabited. From being ransacked and ruled by Norse raiders in the 8th century to now being home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Orkney has a storied past. Orkney's rich history has found its keepers in the form of a couple, Tom Muir, an Orkney native, and his American wife, Rhonda Brunea. Tom and Rhonda are champions of Orkney's folklore, and the couple has even dedicated a website to all things Orkney. Tom and Rhonda believe that understanding a people entails understanding their folk tales, the founding myths and stories upon which cultures and communities are built. Tom's origins as storyteller and historian began over three decades ago, when he was asked to put together an exhibition for Walter Traill Dennison, an Orkney man of letters who died in the late 19th century. The rest, as they say, is history.

These days, tourists traveling to Orkney can visit the museum where Tom works or download a free app called Orkney Folklore Trails and have Tom narrate their journey! There is no better way to tour Scotland than by hearing from a Scot themselves.

The Orkney Folklore Trails app was launched in 2019 by Tom and a number of friends so that they could draw attention to some of Orkney's lesser-visited historic sites while providing tips on exploring more popular destinations in Scotland. The app provides information, including all-important toilet locations, for 10 sites, setting you up for a day or two of adventure. If you want to complete the trail in one day, the total driving time is one-and-a-half hours, but you'll definitely want to allocate a few extra hours to roaming around.

Starting in Stromness, the app's various stories become available as you reach each respective destination. Upon arrival, Tom's voice, alongside fiddle arrangements and illustrations, enriches the experience at locations such as Warbeth Beach and the Bay of Skaill. Some of the stories contain mermaids and shipwrecks, while others are populated by fairies! In sharing these stories, Tom and his team have ensured that the tales of Orkney will live on for generations to come.

Once you've made your way past the Bay of Skaill, you'll end up at Birsay's Stone of Quoyboon, a stone that's worth hearing about. Local lore has it that the 12-foot tall stone would take a trip to the local loch to wash its feet or have a drink every year on New Year's morning, only to be back in its old stance before dawn. Locals steer clear of the path on this day, as it is said that death awaits anyone who gets in the stone's way as it goes for its annual excursion. This is but one of many tales you'll hear on the Orkney Folklore Trail, which, once complete, will have you questioning the backstory of every stone, bridge, and body of water in Scotland.

Other stops on the trail include Orkney Antiques, the Broch of Gurness, a disappearing island at Eynhallow, and a viewpoint in Harray. These landmarks may have names straight out of a fairytale but are all very real, local lore aside. This app will guide you through some of Orkney's most magical places, and you're sure to get lost in tales of witches, imps, and sprites, prompting you to think you may have had one too many drinks of Scotch.