Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds

Scottish Traveller Tales for Children

by Duncan Williamson; Edited by Linda Williamson

Recommended for young readers ages 8-12 years.

Young readers will explore a land of folklore and magic inhabited by friendly fairies, wicked ogres, majestic birds and shining unicorns in captivating tales, full of colour, humour and life. 

These timeless stories have been passed down the generations through oral tradition and are now retold for today's children in Duncan's unique storytelling voice.

One of Scotland's Travelling People, Duncan spent a lifetime journeying the country's highways and byways, collecting stories along the way.  This beautifully presented treasury includes insight into Duncan's life and cultural heritage alongside a curated collection of his best-loved stories and classic tales.

Captivating tales full of colour, humour and life.

A selection of these stories has previously appeared in The Coming of the Unicorn and The Flight of the Golden Bird

Hardcover, 224 pages.  216 x 138 mm.

Floris Books.  Printed in Great Britain.

Table of Contents

09. Foreword by Donald Smith
11. Introduction by Linda Williamson
19. Hedgehog’s Race
25. The Twelve White Swans
46. The Broonie’s Farewell
52. The Tramp and the Boots
62. Jack Goes Back to School
67. The Kings’ Gardens
73. Fox and the Two Cat Fishers
77. The Broonie on Cara
82. The Singing Leaves
95. The Twelve Seasons
102. Thomas the Thatcher
106. The Three Presents
114. Death in a Nut
127. The Dog and the Fox
132. Legend of the White Heather
135. Two Ravens

Reviews

Praise for Duncan Williamson:

'One of the world's best-known storytellers.'
-- The Times

'Scotland's greatest contemporary storyteller.'
-- The Guardian

'The story-teller and singer Duncan Williamson was one of the greatest voices of Scots traveller culture.'
-- The Independent

'Scotland's greatest traditional storyteller.'
-- The Scotsman

Praise for The Coming of the Unicorn:

'A fine collection to share, whether read aloud or told.'
-- Kirkus Reviews

'This engaging collection of Scottish folktales opens with a splendid bit of scene-setting in the introduction.'
-- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

'Thae stories hae been fashiont frae the claith buttons o fowk memory. They are as auld as the hills an, lik Jack, wha fun the Keeng's keys tae the "Garden of Youth", they are eildless.'
-- Lallans, Journal of The Scots Language Society

Praise for Flight of the Golden Bird:

'Storytellers and those who enjoy reading aloud will find this an excellent resource filled with lively language.'
-- Kirkus Reviews

About the Authors

Duncan Williamson (1928-2007) was a Scottish storyteller, singer and author. One of Scotland's Travelling People, Duncan spent sixty years journeying around the country and collecting stories, songs and oral history. Described as 'one of the world's best-known storytellers' (The Times) and 'Scotland's greatest contemporary storyteller' (The Guardian), Duncan's extraordinary legacy includes a library of recordings and books of folk tales. Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds is his most significant collection of stories for children.

Linda Williamson is an American folklorist, musician and editor. Linda grew up in the Great Lakes region of America and moved to Scotland, where she received a PhD from Edinburgh University. During her studies Linda met and married Scottish storyteller Duncan Williamson, whom she worked with for many years while collecting his songs and stories. Under the auspices of the Traditional Arts and Culture for Scotland, Linda now engages with international audiences as a storyteller, ballad singer, and author. She currently lives in Edinburgh, Scotland.