The Wigtown Book Festival in Scotland’s National Book Town featured a range of notable speakers on the second Saturday of its 10-day event. Actor Larry Lamb, known for his role in Gavin and Stacey, discussed his extensive acting career and his current focus on writing poetry as he approaches age 80.
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Sarah, a best-selling folklorist, took the opportunity to visit the site of the renowned 1828 Scots poem The Brownie of Blednoch, penned by William Nicholson, often referred to as “The Bard of Galloway.” The poem narrates the story of Aiken-drum, a three-clawed magical creature who appears in the village near the River Cree and offers to complete chores for the locals. Traditionally, brownies expect only bowls of milk as payment, feeling insulted by attempts to give money or gifts.
In her book, Perilous Enchantment: A True History of Fairies, Sarah explores the origins of contemporary fairy lore, tracing their lineage from various mythic sources including ancient Greek and Roman nymphs, the aes sidhe of Ireland, and Germanic elves. She noted that by the 12th century, fairies began to emerge as a distinct group of beings with established characteristics and behaviors.
Sarah expressed a particular affinity for the more sinister and mysterious fairies of medieval folklore, emphasizing the compelling unpredictability they introduce into stories. “There’s real power and dread in them,” she stated, explaining how these enchanting figures can evoke both beauty and danger.
She attributed the enduring nature of fairies to their varied representations throughout culture. “They’re darkness and danger, mischief and madness, cuteness and safety,” she said. “We’re aware culturally of all these different forms and we choose the ones that resonate best with our narratives.”
Sarah's segment was part of the festival's Witches and Other Lore theme, which also included historian Steven Veerapen from Strathclyde University and best-selling author Mairi Kidd.
Additionally, former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable addressed the festival, discussing his book Eclipsing the West. His analysis focused on the rising economic powers of China and India, noting that China now surpasses the USA in several key areas, with its manufacturing capacity matching that of the next ten countries combined. He warned that as these developments occur, the international order is deteriorating. “The world that we all grew up in, of international rules, basically underwritten by the Americans, no longer has the force it did,” he argued, highlighting the U.S. retreat from international trade agreements and climate negotiations.