Scotland's Sacred Goddess

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.