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Midlothian Folk Tales for Children – Book Review

Midlothian Folk Tales for Children (thehistorypress.co.uk 2024)  by Tim Porteus follows on from East Lothian Folk Tales for Children (published 2018). In this new book there are sixteen tales of history, mystery, magic and mythical creatures as well as relationships between all manner of beings. With colourful and inviting front and back covers by Suu Caledonia and story illustrations from some of the school students Porteus has worked with, the book is a warm hearted, informative, inspiring and very enjoyable journey through the lore and legend of Midlothian and parts of Edinburgh.

From the moment I picked the book up I felt as if I was being invited into a home for a storytelling ceilidh and that the storyteller was speaking directly to me. Tim is a well known and well – loved storyteller in Scotland, not least by his 5 children who give their own take on the importance of storytelling and stories in the foreword of the book. This adds to the feeling of entering a special storied landscape.

Each tale is full of interest with all of them beginning with an introduction to the place and protagonists of the story and concluding with additional information on the various locations within the tales i.e. how and where to find them; which parts of the story are still visible; links between past and present with suggestions and prompts for further exploration and following up on the story.

While the book, as declared in its title, is written for children and is very accessible, just as in all good books it can be enjoyed by and will enlighten any age group. There is something luminous about the stories with rich description in the telling in both language and emotion. This perhaps stems from Porteus’s depth of knowledge and relationship to the places as well as his background as a historian and storyteller and extensive experience of working with people, all of whom are acknowledged in the book.

I very much enjoyed learning about areas new to me or that I’d heard of and not visited before and found myself noting down places and paths I wanted to explore and stories that I would like to tell. Although ideas of where to source maps are given a small map in the book with names of the places would have been useful.

For anyone who is lucky enough to have seen and heard Tim Porteus telling stories they will recognise the humour, ease and authenticity that he brings to the tales within this book. There are cosy stories, (one of my favourites ‘The Hedgehog of Vogrie Park’) ghosty stories, nature stories and magical and mysterious stories.

While abundant in historical detail the book is also highly entertaining, accessible and relevant to contemporary issues. All of which make it a delightful read and a winner for children and adults alike.

I loved the use of Scots language when it appears. ‘Heave awa lads I’m no deid yet!’ will stay with me for a long while but if you want to find out where that particular phrase comes from you’ll have to buy the book!

 

MidLothian Folk Tales for Children by Tim Porteus with cover illustration by Suu Caledonia

Published by The History Press, June 2024, ISBN 9781803995434

 

Tim Porteus is a professional storyteller who uses traditional folklore and local historical tales to connect people, and enhance a sense of place and identity. He has an MA (Honours) in History, and has told stories in schools, libraries, festivals and at private functions and gigs for many years. He is an experienced tour guide and storytelling is a central part of this work. As well as writing a weekly column called ‘Tim’s Tales’ for the East Lothian Courier, he has also been involved in storytelling abroad as part of cultural programmes at universities in the Czech Republic and Portugal, and at schools and cultural events in Spain, Germany, Sweden and Slovakia. He lives in East Lothian.

Suu Caledonia describes herself as a self-taught Scottish born artist living in Midlothian who having worked for many years as a driver/guide in the Highlands and Islands, has breathed in her country and is grateful for its constant inspiration and beauty. She enjoys the organic process of creating and improving, always finding something new to discover. Rather like life itself.

Instagram @suucaledonia

Facebook @Caledonia Calling Art.