First-footing as a New Year custom is most common in Scotland and the north of England, but it does have

This articles examines the myths and legends which surround the distillation, sales and consumption of gin.

Through myth, fairy tale and legend, powerful women are depicted as dark, cruel and calculating, and they are often naturally

Historically, distilling was an art, as well as an arcane type of magic, regulated by custom, law, and superstition. Certain

In a strange old custom, the Dundee dressed herring is dressed in a crepe paper skirt and bonnet combination

Plant lore is the verdant heart of Scottish folk holidays and traditions. Nature’s gift and sacrifice is found in the

he legendary frost fairs on the River Thames are depicted in a number of works of art that show just

The Auroras, as we know today, are dependent on the interactions of the sun and our upper atmosphere, and have

Trees have been a centre point of many world mythologies and religions throughout the ages. As a symbol of growth,

On the evening of 11th December, Icelandic children place shoes on the sills of their windows, before they go to

Beware! Lock up your children, clutch your mince pies, and huddle in against the snow. Haven’t you heard? Krampus is

The appearance of a Turkish knight, Beelzebub, and a horse’s skull mark out a centuries old winter tradition in rural

Christmas is over, New Year has been well and truly celebrated, and most of us are back at work by

Food and feasting is at the centre of our Christmas celebrations, and folklore and customs play an important part in

We've started our Christmas shopping early here at #FolkloreThursday, and we thought we'd share some of the wonderful folkloric gifts

Plant lore is the verdant heart of Scottish folk holidays and traditions. Nature’s gift and sacrifice is found in the

Chris Kullstroem delves into the world of monsters, their cultural festivals and scare tourism

Who is la Befana, the Italian Christmas witch?

he legendary frost fairs on the River Thames are depicted in a number of works of art that show just

Simon Hughes examines erotic folktales—a less well known, and often censored, area of folklore—and presents a self-translated example from his

In Tudor and Stuart England, angels were believed to deliver messages, protect the godly, carry souls to heaven, punish sinners,

Many will declare Christmas to be nothing but “a way for card companies to make money, harrumph!” Whilst Christmas has

At present I am tangled in brambles and ivy, steeped in acorns and oak and painting the rhythm of the

He used to bleat. Walking upright, a goat the size of a grown man would tramp in from the cold

What a year it's been! The end of 2016 is nigh, and it's hard to believe all of the amazing

Mistletoe is the stuff of folklore. It is found in Norse, Greek and Roman mythology, a plant of power

Christmas traditions have evolved through the centuries, many of them have ancient origins linked to the midwinter festivals of Yule

From the animals that witnessed the Nativity, to the robins on our greetings cards and Santa’s reindeer, the creatures of

In a strange old custom, the Dundee dressed herring is dressed in a crepe paper skirt and bonnet combination

First-footing as a New Year custom is most common in Scotland and the north of England, but it does have