Myths and Tales from the Scottish Borders

He asks her why she picked the rose, and why she is trespassing in the woods which he looks after for the Fairy Queen. Janet replies the woods are on her father’s estate, and so belong to her. She and Tam then spend time together there and become lovers.

She returns home and after some time her father discovers she is pregnant. She tells him that the father of her child is the ‘elfin grey’ Tam Lin whom she loves. She returns to the woods to meet Tam. There, he tells her that he was once mortal but was taken by the fairy queen.

Every seven years, the Fairy Queen has to pay a levy to Hell and Tam Lin fears that he will be the next victim. Only Janet can save him  by coming to where the fairies and knights will be riding in procession at Halloween.

Tam Lin tells Janet she must pull him off his horse, and hold him tight whatever happens. On Halloween, she sees him, pulls him from his horse and holds him tight as he changes into a lizard, snake, bear, lion, and red hot bar of iron. She throws him into the well and frees him from the spell. 

Thomas of Erceldoune, or Thomas Learmont was a Scottish poet and seer who lived in the 13th century. He is best known as Thomas the Rhymer. In popular folklore he is often associated with Merlin. He is celebrated in a ballad that was sung in the Scottish Borders.

He delivered his prophecies from beneath the Eildon Tree. The story goes that as a young man Thomas lay under the tree when a woman in a grass green shirt and a velvet coat came by on a horse. She told Thomas she was the Fairy Queen and dared him to kiss her on the lips. He did.

The price for the kiss is that Thomas has to serve the Fairy Queen for seven years. She puts him behind her on her white horse and they ride faster than the wind until they reach Elfland. Thomas is not allowed to speak in Elfland, or he will never return to his own land.

They travel on horseback until they finally rest. The Fairy Queen shows Thomas three paths: a narrow one with thorns, the path of righteousness that leads to heaven; a broad, bright road, the path of wickedness leading to hell; and a beautiful green road that leads to Elfland.

Finally they come to a beautiful garden. The Fairy Queen picks an apple and gives it to Thomas as payment for his services. This apple will give him the gift of always speaking the truth. After his return home Thomas starts to prophesy. Seven years follow where no one sees him.

This is a tale of Lady Wheelhope who was by all accounts a very bad woman.  She was a tyrant who argued with her family and treated her servants cruelly, often cursing, striking, or even throwing them out especially if they were religious. One day a new servant appeared.

Merodach had the body of a boy but  features of an old man. Lady Wheelhope hated him instantly and made his life a misery. Merodach however,  just laughed and gleefully provoked her even more. This caused her to become so obsessed and full of hate for him she vowed to kill him.

One night she secretly tried to enter his room to slit his throat but when her son was found murdered the next morning, she lost her mind. Merodach was thrown out but Lady Wheelhope could not let him out of her sight. He tormented and beat her but she would not let him go.