Seasonal Folklore: Winter

Seasonal Folklore Issue 4: Winter, 2026
ISSN 2978-6231
A5 size, 30 pages, with 14 B&W illustrations.
Collected and illustrated by Eileen Budd.

A collection of Scottish Winter stories to accompany the darkest months, including tales of the solstice and traditions of Hogmanay. Beautifully illustrated with the plants, animals and spirits of the season, these short stories remind us of our roots in the natural world and the enduring connection between the land and its legends.

In the Winter collection, discover:
• Tales that follow the migration of birds and spirits between worlds.
• Traditions of first footing and blessing the house at Hogmanay.
• Ancient stories of fire spirits, dragons, and the great Caledonian Forest.
• And complete the cycle of the year with the winds and storms of the Cailleach, Scotland’s mother goddess.

Contents
The Great Migration of Spirits and Birds
Faery Hounds
Call of the Goose
Howdie’s Dream
Evergreen’s Blessing
Traditional Winter Solstice Story
Beast of the Black Firs
Gorse Protects
Thorn Trees Renew
Swan Story
The Cailleach’s Storms
Christmas and Yule
Corra-Chagailte Spirit in the Fire
Hogmanay
Gyre-Carlin on Hogmanay

Seasonal Folklore by Eileen Budd is a collection of Scottish stories, passed down through her family, and shared with you each season, to mark the cycles of nature.

In partnership with St Andrews Botanic Garden.

An audiobook version, narrated by Eileen Budd, is also available to download from Wide Open Sea.