The last Swan of Dun Ghallain: A Scottish Tragedy (Scottish Folklore)
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Far to the west, in Lochaber, lies the picturesque Loch Sunart and upon its northern shore sits the Great Iron age fort of Dun Ghallain. It was thought that the fort was held by a branch of the Clan Stewart, which ruled many of the western lands. This tale centres around the son of a local chieftain and a poor crofter’s daughter. The young Stewart and heir to Dun Ghallain had met a beautiful young maid by the banks of Loch Sunart, early one morning. They agreed to meet by the loch every morning and the pairs relationship would flourish. It took a while longer for the young maid to admit her feelings for the Stewart, it was not that she did not love him, but because she knew that they could never be together, he was heir to a great castle, lands and would become the next clan chief, whereas she was the daughter of a poor crofter. She and her family were constantly occupied by the hardship and toil of there daily lives. It was unthought of that a person of such stature would marry the leader of a clan, or member of nobility. So, against her better judgment, the maid continued to meet with the young Stewart. But the young mans, mother would not see a commoner rule the castle and she would stop at nothing to rid this girl from her sons life.
Intro Music: Written for me by Bobbin
bobbin.bandcamp.com/
Other Music by : Alexander Nakarada alexandernakarada.bandcamp.com/
References:
Afanasyev, A. (1858) The White Duck, The Yellow Fairy Book. Longmans, Green and Co, London. ISBN-10 : 0486216748
Arkwright, C. (2020) The Swan of Loch Sunart. Folklore Scotland [folklorescotland.com/the-swan...]
Ashliman, D.L. (2008) Swan Maidens, folklore [www.pitt.edu/~dash/swan.html#b...]
Bailey, J. (2021) Dun Ghallain, British folklore. [britishfolklore.com/dun-ghallain]
Cameron, G. (1906) The Place-Names of Argyll. London, Long acre [electricscotland.com/books/pd...]
Grimm, J. and Grimm, W (1812) The Six Swans, Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Kinder- und Hausmärchen. Translation: Zipes, J. (2014) The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm: the complete first edition. ISBN-10: 0691160597
House of Lochar (1998) Exploring Sunart, Ardnamurchan, Moidart & Morar, Issue 10 of West Highland series. House of Lochar, 1998. ISBN:0189986369,99781899863693
Macpherson, G.W. (2004) Highland Myths & Legends, Luath, 2004, ISBN:1842820648, 9781842820643
Sklenar, D. (2013) Where Did the Story of Swan Lake Come From? [debeysklenar.wordpress.com/ta...]
Swire, O.F. (1963) The Highlands and Their Legends. Oliver & Boyd, 1963. University of California. ISBN:7230009278, 9787230009270
Tchaikovsky, P.I. and Newmarch, Rosa. (1905) The life & letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky. London, J. Lane. [archive.org/details/lifelette...]
Westwood, J., Kingshill, S. (2012), The Lore of Scotland: A Guide to Scottish Legends, Random House, ISBN 978-1-4090-6171-7
Пікірлер: 42
And thank you for the beautiful stories, friend. I also heartily appreciate the incredible art and clips! I recognized several favorites. Please continue your excellent work.😉
@LiathWolf
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the support
There's a folk song. The version that I know is that of American folk singers Peter, Paul, and Mary. It's called Polly Von. "She'd her apron wrapped about her, he mistook her for a swan, and so, and alas, it was she, Polly Von." This made me recall that. Also, I remember reading the story from Grimm. I think there was one by Hans Christian Andersen as well.
Thank you for sharing these stories. I really enjoy your narration. 👍
Beautifully told, as always, and thank you also for including notes of other global swans transformations - love the similarity from so many stories
@noreenclark2568
Жыл бұрын
Very heart rending but beautiful story, shame they both died to be together 😢
I absolutely loved that you went over the various tales from around the world! Thank you! What a treat!
@LiathWolf
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching
Goose Food from the book "a story as sharp as a knife." Is a Kwakwakwa'wakw myth from the northwest coast of N. America is another swan maiden tale very similar to the swan lake tale of Chiacovsky and it is also very similar to the tale you just told. This story was collected in the 1800's from a blind Kwakwakwa'wakw story teller.
With the swan being seen as a symbol of purity and beauty, in it's guise, the killing of the crofters daughter seems to have an extra weight and brutality added to it. The helplessness of her situatuon, rendered literally mute in that moment, reflects her helplessness in the game of marriage played among the unfeeling, dispassionate nobility. Tapadh leat for the great vid as usuall.
@LiathWolf
3 жыл бұрын
I agree there are definitely some interesting themes in this tale. I have also wondered if the price the witch asked for was actually the noble boy. She must have known what was going to happen.
Great vid!! Also love the outlander pics, great show
very cool.
Thanks again!
What an incredibly sad story.
In Greek mythology, there is a great warrior called Cygnus. He was turned into a swan by his father Posideon when he was killed.
@LiathWolf
2 жыл бұрын
that sounds pretty cool
@katiewithers4641
2 жыл бұрын
@@LiathWolf yeah, it's from the Iliad. Achilles kills him. It is not that similar to this story but it reminded me if it
Love these kinds of tales. Ones with not only a beautifully tragic story but ones that attempt to explain natural phenomena. I'd have loved to have known his mother's reaction. It also would have been fitting that, in an attempt to keep the noble line strong, this event led to their decline. But you did say there were multiple versions. Looks as if I'm gonna have to do some research. Thank you as always for the stories, Liath. You've a gift for storytelling.
@LiathWolf
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks, yeah this tale in particular seems to change quite a lot over the years.
Thank you so much! I am looking for the origin of the Fokine Ballet, "La Sylphide" which is based on Scottish myth.
@LiathWolf
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for watching, I have never heard of that Ballet, the tale is quite interesting.
WOOOOOOOOOOOO! Been waiting for a new video.
Great work as always!
@LiathWolf
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks
Hello, I found your channel today and am enjoying it immensely. Thank you. I'm looking forward to more stories/videos.
@LiathWolf
3 жыл бұрын
Welcome, thanks of watching
@musicalbard3
3 жыл бұрын
@@LiathWolf I love legends/mythology/ancient history and am waiting for your next video :D Do you have any books out? Oh, by the way, I"m of Scott's heritage, you know, from across the pond :D
@LiathWolf
3 жыл бұрын
@@musicalbard3 Hi, I don't have any books lol, I only started youtube at the end of last year. maybe one day. new videos are up every second friday (at least thats the plan haha). Thank you for being interested in the history and mythology of your heritage.
really cool video Liath enjoyed it
Be careful what you wish for. You'll get what you want. *You'll lose what you have.*
I’m from a small coastal village called portknockie, I’m wondering if there were any myths/legends around this area. Another great video!
Soo sad. Funny how the wood witch is blamed for delivering a wish of another. :(
I really loved this one, Coincidence that my maiden name is Stewart?🤔
@sgr1888
3 жыл бұрын
Yes
He sucked at being a hunter if he didn't hear someone fallowing him. I hunt frequently and you can hear even small animals in the leaf litter.
What film/cartoon was the Animation parts from?
@LiathWolf
8 ай бұрын
"The Swan Princess" 1994. Hope that helps
@oldmanfromscenetwentyfour8164
8 ай бұрын
@@LiathWolf TYvm
@hazelpixie56
7 ай бұрын
@@LiathWolf saw that movie when I was little, absolutely loved it. thank you for including it for this video!
@LiathWolf
7 ай бұрын
@@hazelpixie56 Me too, its great 😃
Abhinaya Dance Academy will use a version of this story in their Five Petals dance in the Tramway in Glasgow in March 2022 d.v. The Academy dances in the classic Bharatanatyam style of South India under Creative Director Smt Esther Sunija Binu. Not to be missed!