Bøger af Stuart McHardy

In Scotland's Sacred Goddess, Stuart McHardy explores the pre-Christian beliefs of the Scottishpeople. Before the monks arrived, the Scots had a rich mythology, with stories that explained the creation and workings of the world. McHardy demonstrates that these ancient beliefs are not lost but can be seen in today's landscape if one knows how to look. Using a mix of ancient oral tales, place names, local rhymes and landscape shapes, McHardy reveals the echoes of ancient beliefs whilst determining the characteristics of the Cailleach Goddess and although the stories have changed over the millennia since she was first thought to have inhabited the land, her stories are still being told. Many tales, especially those involving witches and the Devil, trace back to ancient mythologies. These narratives highlight a fundamentally feminine power in creating and understanding the world. The perfect read for historians, folklorists, students and Scotland enthusiasts, McHardy's work shows that the ancient goddess and her stories, though transformed, continue to shape Scotland's cultural and physical landscape.

This is an accessible history of the oft misunderstood Picts, discrediting the idea that the Picts were a strange historical anomaly and showing them to be the indiginous people of Scotland.

Stuart McHardy examines the Pictish symbols which have been discovered on various items across Scotland. This interpretation serves as a backdrop for his analysis of the symbols themselves, providing a context for his suggestion that there was an underlying series of ideas and beliefs behind the creation of the symbols.

Arthur's Seat is climbed (or walked up and around) by thousands of people each year. The views from the top of the 350-million year old landmark are breathtaking. In this book, Stuart McHardy and Donald Smith interweave the tales of folklore and customs that surround this iconic hill. Review Draws on folklore tales and real life stories to create a unique walkers' guide to the famous ridges, crags and valleys that make up the hill. EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS Back Cover: Standing in the Hunter's Bog with the Salisbury Crags to the west, Dasses to the east and the great summit crag rising above, you could be deep in the Highlands. There is no sight and very little sound of the modern cityscape all around. STUART McHARDY Arthur's Seat, rising high above the Edinburgh skyline, is the city's most awe-inspiring landmark Although thousands climb to the summit every year, its history remains a mystery, shrouded in myth and legend. Quickly and suddenly we lose the sense of ciy. Through the park is now surrounded by Edinburgh, it still retains a sense of wildness. DONALD SMITH The first book of its kind, Arthur's Seat: Journeys and Evocations is a salute to the ancient tradition of storytelling, guiding the reader around Edinburgh's famous 'Resting Giant' with an exploration of the local folklore and customs associated with the mountain-within-a-city. Inspired by NVA's Speed of Light, a major event in Edinburgh's International Festival and the country-wide Cultural Olympiad, Journeys and Evocations brings together past and future in a perspective of the Edinburgh landscape like no other. A place where time does not pass but simply adds up. ROBERT GARIOCH

Topicsinclude literature, religion, history and story, the Radical1790s, the remarkable Douglas Young and anintroduction to Geomythography, a new way of meldingprehistory and history to present a new and refreshingway seeing our past.Understanding our past is vital to the process of buildinga new Scotland in the years ahead.

A book about Scotland drawn from hundreds, if not thousands, of stories. The stories are hilarious, tragic, heroic or frightening.

Lord Cockburn, Victorian defender of Edinburgh's beauties, describes Calton Hill as 'the Glory of Edinburgh'. 'It presents us,' enthused Cockburn, 'with the finest prospects both of its vicinity and the city... it is adorned by beautiful buildings dedicated to science and to the memory of distinguished men. 'Following on from the success of Arthur's Seat, the Journeys and Evocations series continues with a look at the events and folklore surrounding Edinburgh's iconic Calton Hill. Standing only 338 ft (103m) high, this small hill offers a fascinating view of Edinburgh both literally and historically. The book brings together prose, poetry and photographic images to explore the Calton Hill's role in radical nationalist politics through the centuries as well as taking a look at the buildings, philosophy and intrigue of a central part of Edinburgh's landscape. Two of the city's leading storytellers, Donald Smith, director of the Scottish Storytelling Centre... and historian and writer Stuart McHardy, have sifted through the centuries to compile the remarkable guide to Edinburgh's famous landmark. EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS on Arthur's Seat.

From bold heroines to clan battles, standing stones to castles, there is hardly any aspect of Scotland's heritage that does not feature in our storytelling traditions. This collection of stories from all parts of Scotland, and from all periods of our dramatic - and often truly heroic - history is both an introduction to and a journey into Scotland's rich cultural heritage. Covering the same themes as Disney-Pixar's new fairytale film, Brave, this book provides the next step for those wishing to delve deeper into Scotland's culture and traditions. BACK COVER: There is not a stream or a rock that does not have its story. STUART McHARDY With the release of Disney-Pixar's 'Brave' the world's attention is being drawn to Scotland and its fascinating history. But 'Brave' merely scrapes the surface of Scotland's rich story-telling culture. This collection of tales is the next step for anyone wishing to look further into the traditions of Scotland. These enchanting tales reflect the wide diversity of its heritage and there are few aspects of Scottish tradition that have escaped memorialisation in folklore. With its captivating, and often gruesome, tales of heroic warriors in battle, bold heroines, deceitful aristocracy, and supernatural creatures Brave Land is a journey into the cultural heritage of a nation and the folklore surrounding the creation of the breath-taking landscape of its country. Scotland the Brave Land provides the reader the perfect opportunity to delve a little deeper into the myths, legends and history of this truly mesmerising country.

King Arthur of the Britons - the Celtic hero supreme. There was no invasion for Arthur to fight, the Angles and Saxons came slowly, over centuries, but he was leading a crusade - for the new religion against the old.

Experience the scenery and folklore of Edinburgh's iconic Old Town through new eyes in the latest installment in the Journey's and Evocations series. This blend of prose, poetry, photography and history is the perfect gift for any visitor to Scotland's capital city.

Scotland's Democracy Trail goes from Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriars, down the High Street, across North Bridge to Calton Hill, and then on down to the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood. Although the roots of democracy run deep in Scotland, here we concentrate on the footprint of democracy in our capital city.

A new title in the popular 'Luath Storyteller' series, Tales of Edinburgh Castle is a salute tk the ancient tradition of storytelling, painting a vivid picture of the castle in bygone times, and the rich and varied characters to whom it owes its notoriety.

Writer and storyteller Stuart McHardy, known to take a dram or ten himself, draws upon the wide range of tales associated with the world's finest tipple, to make you laugh, cry and wonder!

The Wey Forrit is a political work written in Scots which examines the current British political climate, with a particular focus on how the inner workings of Westminster affect Scotland and her people.

A collection of the popular and the more obscure chosen from the treasure trove of poetry in Scots and put together by well-known storyteller Stuart McHardy.