- 18
- Episodes
- 30
- Ratings
- Weekly
- Cadence
- 2023
- First episode
About Tales for our Times
We live in turbulent times, such times need great stories and storytelling. This podcast presents the ancient craft of storytelling as tool for connection, imagination, entertainment and empowerment. Scottish storyteller Dougie Mackay, shares folk tales, myths and musings. Sometimes joined by guest storytellers, change-makers, rebels and poets, who share their perspective on stories and folk culture and its impact on modern life. Themes of rewilding, nature connection, folk arts, primitive skills and regenerative culture are explored.
- Publisher
- Dougie Mackay
- Category
- arts
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 8 Jun 2023
- Latest episode
- 15 Apr 2026
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.
15 Apr 2026
Druid Lore and Story Dreaming with Eimear Burke
Send us Fan Mail In this episode I speak with Irish Storyteller and chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids, Eimear Burke. We discuss fairy doors and healing wells, the practice of restoring female stories in folklore and myth, and methods of walking stories out on the land an reweaving the tales. We cover grief, love and poetry, seasonal cycles and nature connection, and touch upon several stories from the Celtic cannon, especially the Birth of Ossian and tales involving Fionn McCou...
2 Oct 2025
The Wolf Hunter
Send us a text In this episode I share a story about a hunter who is haunted by ghosts before encountering a wolf. I reflect upon Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025 and talk about the storytelling and shadow puppetry show, "A Wolf Shall Devour the Sun'. I mention my substack page "Rekindling the Hearth" https://deeprootscommunity.substack.com/ aswell as upcoming festivals in the Glens of Antrim, Bray, and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
12 Mar 2025
The Clever Wish
Send us a text This episode features a live telling of an Irish/Scottish folk tale, "The Clever Wish". Recorded at the Hearth Fire Sessions in Edinburgh in November 24, this episode previews the launch of the sessions again this year, starting on World Storytelling Day. This story is a favourite for all ages ,and it's riddle some quality makes it particularly satisfying to tell. Stay up to date with all my storytelling offerings, including story coaching by joining the mailing list: htt...
28 Feb 2025
Ramble by the River
Send us a text Live recording from the banks of the River Tweed in the south of Scotland. The sun is shining, the frost is sparkling and the otters are swimming. This episode shares musings on creativity, creating moments of wonder amidst modernity, the polar pulls of to-do-lists and the wild, Fionn's true seeing and the poetry of the Otter. It's a bit different from previous episodes but I enjoyed it and hopefully you do too. If you'd like to stay up to date with story offerings and resourc...
4 Feb 2025
Marrakech Storytelling Festival
Send us a text In this episode I give updates from the Marrakech International Storytelling Festival and share two short stories from the region. The stories are of a character famed through the Arab world, the wise fool, often known as Hodja, or the Mullah Nasruddin, but in North Africa he is known as 'Djoha'. I recently told one of these stories at a school in the Atlas Mountains to the delight of many school pupils. ........... Stay in the loop with my storytelling offerings through the ye...
1 May 2024
Culture Making with Tad Hargrave
As a prequel to my upcoming tour of British Columbia I speak with Tad Hargrave, best known for his Marketing for Hippies movement, but also eloquent in culture making and something of a storyteller, improv actor and street magician. You want this guy at your party! In our conversation we touch upon his own path to discover of the richness of his Celtic heritage, learning from cultural heavyweights such as Stephen Jenkinson, discuss indigenous knowledge, heritage crafts, and trans Atlantic idea sharing. We reference at least one road trip and a selection of Scottish storytelling elders, and finish with a story about the gold in one's own home. There's also a traveller anecdote in there that makes me laugh out loud! We discuss my upcoming storytelling tour of British Columbia and Washington state and why he felt to instigate the trip. Find out about the BC tour here: storyconnection.org/bctour/ Read about Tad's culture making here: https://substack.com/profile/39800440-tad-hargrave Sort your business out whilst maintaining your hippie credentials here: https://marketingforhippies.com/ (https://marketingforhippies.com/) My live dates and online events: https://linktr.ee/dougiemackay My newsletter (where all the good stuff goes first): https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory Thanks for listening!
9 Mar 2024
Ep12. Wise fools with Dan Serridge
In this episode I discuss 'applied storytelling' as well as performance with Glasgow based storyteller Dan Serridge. We dive into story as a tool for community engagement and how it can break down barriers. Dan shares his experience of walking the border between England and Scotland, whilst musing the classic tale of Thomas the Rhymer, and his own experience of loss. How do we return changed from a trip to the underworld? This theme continues, using the greek myth of orpheus as a means to process grief, and we discuss the role of story in challenging moments. The tone lightens as we share riddles and warm up for a 'Feast of Fools' finale, and Dan tells a tale of a character who aims to gain some luck by sprinkling salt on a magpie's tale...easier said than done! ...... Links mentioned in the show: Dougie's mailing list: https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory Dan's website: https://danstoryman.co.uk/ (https://danstoryman.co.uk/) Federation for European Storytellers: https://fest-network.eu/ (https://fest-network.eu/) Village Storytelling Festival: https://www.villagestorytelling.org.uk/festival/ (https://www.villagestorytelling.org.uk/festival/)
3 Feb 2024
Ep11. Wild Awake with Lucy O'Hagan
In this episode I catch up with Lucy O'Hagan about her wilderness programmes in Ireland. We range from local myths of Lugh and Balor of the evil eye, to the Belfast Punk scene, snow shelters in Norway, cave dwelling in Dordogne, and the teepee outside Galway where we met. To find out more about Lucy's work: https://www.wildawake.ie/ (https://www.wildawake.ie/) To stay tuned for more story offerings: https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory Lynx Vilden's Lithica project: https://www.lithica.earth/ (https://www.lithica.earth/)
3 Nov 2023
Ep 10. The Witches of Kintail live at SISF
This episode features a live recording of a story told at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 23. It's a version of one of the stories I first fell in love with many years ago and has sublime musical accompaniment from the talented Rachel Newton...aswell as some random audience participation and suggestion! I also comment on various features of the storytelling festival including the Basket of Stories project and finish with a poem from a prominent Palestinian poet. Mentioned in the show is the Another Story Podcast, the online Voices of Celtic Wisdom course and my mailing list, each linked below. Voices of Celtic Wisdom: https://weaving-remembrance.mykajabi.com/a/2147716521/EiCWvZ7T Mailing list: https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory Another story podcast: https://www.sisf.org.uk/another-story-podcast/ (https://www.sisf.org.uk/another-story-podcast/)
4 Oct 2023
Ep 9. The Hunter Ogalusa
In the episode I give a nod to my recent trip to Norway for a primitive skills gathering by telling a hunting tale from Sierra Leone. I also share a 'Revolting Rhyme' version of the Norwegian folk tale, the Three Billy Goats Gruff, inspired by irreverent British-Danish author Roald Dahl. There is some commentary on my time in Norway and the story too. If you'd like to support this podcast you can make a donation, to the price of a hot drink via my Kofi page: https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory If you'd like to stay up to date with story offerings and resources you can join my mailing list via: https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory Or follow me on instagram @dougie.mackay.story If you've enjoyed the podcast, reviews, comments and shares are much appreciated! Thanks for listening.
5 Sept 2023
Ep 8. Rewilding Humans (with Daan Timmers)
In this episode I discuss rewilding with Daan Timmers, whom I met at the Lithica ancestral skills gathering in Norway. We reflect upon our experience at the Lithica Gathering highlighting the sense of community and connection and value of reconnecting with nature and each other in a world that often prioritizes individuality. We discuss the joy of learning and practicing ancient skills, as well as the intangible magic that occurs when people come together in such settings. We cover concept of rewilding, not only in terms of the natural environment but also in relation to rewilding humans and returning to a more natural state of being. We also touch upon the significance of storytelling in teaching and connecting with others, its ability to engage the heart and impart wisdom. Daan shares the story of the 'Mastership of the knife'. Follow Daan @daan_gaat_wild (insta) Support the podcast via Kofi: https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory Sign up to story updates and resources: https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory
17 Aug 2023
Ep 7. The Old Grey Magician
In this episode I introduce Animate Lands, a live storytelling and music piece that recently showcased at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I introduce the Fianna and some of the old Celtic myths relating to them before sharing a Scottish story featuring the Old Grey Magician, a mysterious wizard type character in who appears in several old Celtic myths. This is a story you are unlikely to hear elsewhere. ........... Dougie shares his summer adventures, including attending the Lithica Gathering in Norway, running a camp on the Scottish island of Egg, and participating in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The focus of the podcast is on Dougie's storytelling music show called Animate Lands, which explores the Birth of Ossian and the significance of deer stories in Celtic culture. The transcript highlights Dougie's passion for storytelling and his commitment to exploring the connections between folk culture, mythology, and the natural world. The second transcript delves into the evolution of Dougie's show Animate Lands, which combines storytelling and music. The show reflects on the loss of Animistic awareness in modern times and its impact on issues like climate change. A story from the show is shared, featuring the character of the Old Grey Magician and his apprentice, Donnran, who embarks on a transformative journey. The story draws parallels to figures like Merlin and the Dark Druid in Celtic mythology, showcasing the mystical nature of the Old Grey Magician. The third transcript explores the tale of the Magician in the context of Finn and Fianna. It highlights the originality and ancient roots of the story, rooted in Druidical stories and early Celtic culture. The importance of bees and the presence of a stag in the tale raise questions about their significance in ancient cultures. The transcript also mentions resources for further exploration of Fianna tales and the Finn cycle, as well as the Animate Lands show performed at the Edinburgh Fringe. Referenced in this episode are the following books: The Old Grey Magician, by George Macpherson Over 9 Waves, Mari Heaney Gods and Fighting Men, Lady Gregory Finn and the Fianna, Daniel Allison Also: If you're interested in participating in Myth as Medicine register interest via: https://sendfox.com/lp/m2gdw5 Support the podcast by buying me a coffee via: https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory Check out the Animate Lands teaser video: https://youtu.be/6PWu1LwawbI?si=cC3cPfLlzbSeU3qb
8 Jun 2023
Ep 4. Treasure under the Apple Tree
Another classic tale about dreaming and unexpected treasures in familiar places and an inspiration for a best selling novel. This story appeals to all ages and whilst discussing with a friend recently, we reflected upon the influence that the novel version of this tale has had on our adult lives. It's a cracking folk tale in it's finest form: simple, engaging and with just a seed of something to ponder afterwards. I first discovered this story via Hugh Lupton's collection of Wisdom Tales, published by Barefoot Books. You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory
8 Jun 2023
Ep 2. The Faery Fox
This episode shares a local folk tale from the Isle of Skye, first told to me by renowned Seanachie, George 'Seoras' Macpherson. The tale is set in the time of the Highland clearances, and has themes of co-operation common in rural places, memories of old lore, and the harshness of the Scottish elements. You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory
8 Jun 2023
Ep 5. Story Activism and the Magic Garden
Inspired by a community action programme in the North of Scotland, this episode relays a the challenges placed upon green spaces and community resources under the guise of 'green energy'. With anecdotes from Torrie community up in Aberdeen, and reflections upon this folk tale from Central Asia, we explore the contradiction of focusing on carbon whilst ignoring biodiversity and yearn for decision making strategies with youthful vision and elders to offer advice. You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory
8 Jun 2023
Ep 1. Dog & Fox
Welcome to the Tales for our Times podcast! In this first episode (recorded back in the winter time) I share a classic tale from the Scottish Traveller people and give a little cultural context around the travellers, and their role in the modern resurgence in traditional storytelling. This story is a classic, and one of the tales I tell most often as it's a winner with all age groups and presents a age old dichotomy, that stirs something inmost people. You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory
8 Jun 2023
Ep 6. The Monkey's Heart
Celebrating high summer, this tale is a nod to swims in the river and finding new stories for festival season. This tale is a fun one and a new one in my repertoire. You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory Signup to news and info: https://sendfox.com/dougiemackaystory
8 Jun 2023
Ep 3. 'A Wee Lift' with Liz Weir
In this episode I am joined by Northern Irish storytelling phenomenon Liz Weir. I first met Liz many years ago at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and was fascinated by her anecdotes of storytelling in Northern Ireland during the times of 'the troubles'. It was one of the strongest accounts of applied storytelling I have heard, and only one of many community projects delivered by Liz. Since then, I have visited her across the water several times and have always been made very welcome. Liz is a storytelling powerhouse, mentor to many, and great craic. I had no doubts about inviting her to be the first guest on the podcast. You can support this podcast to the cost of a cup of coffee (that's a hipster oat milk cappuccino) or dram (single malt) via my Kofi page. All contributions very much appreciated. https://ko-fi.com/dougiemackaystory
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 8 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 22 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 7
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 0
- Engagement
- 77
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