49. Tam o’ Shanter

About this episode

In this episode, Jenny recites Rabbie Burns' epic poem Tam o’ Shanter, celebrating Burns Night with a wild tale of a farmer's encounter with witches and the Devil.

It’s Burns Night! On the 25th of January Scots all over the world come together to celebrate the life and works of the Bard himself, Rabbie Burns, and so in this episode Jenny recites his epic poem Tam o’ Shanter. This wild tale takes place in Alloway, Ayrshire, where Burns was from, and follows a farmer Tam, as he drinks late into the night before heading home on his trusty steed, Meg. Unfortunately a storm is raging all around him, but the weather is the least of his concerns, for when he reaches Auld Alloway Kirk he stumbles upon a wild party of warlocks, witches, and the Devil himself! The poem is in Scots, but worry not if you don’t understand it, Jenny also recites an English translation! Follow The Scottish Folklore Podcast on Instagram Visit the website and view the interactive map Support Jenny as she makes the show by joining the Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Jenny

Topics covered

• Scottish folklore
• poetry
• Burns Night
• Tam o’ Shanter
• witches
• warlocks
• Scottish culture

Keywords

• Burns Night
• Tam o’ Shanter
• Rabbie Burns
• Scottish folklore
• poetry
• witches
• warlocks
• Ayrshire
• Alloway

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Tam o’ Shanter

Places: Alloway, Ayrshire, Auld Alloway Kirk

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