Description

Book Synopsis

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

Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds is a treasure trove of traditional Scottish folk and fairy tales as told by Duncan Williamson, one of Scotland's greatest storytellers.

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 while carefully preserving 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.

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



Trade Review

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



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

Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds: Scottish

    Product form

    £11.69

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    RRP £12.99 – you save £1.30 (10%)

    Order before 4pm tomorrow for delivery by Wed 17 Jun 2026.

    A Hardback by Duncan Williamson, Linda Williamson

    1 in stock

      Trusted by thousands of customers. See 2,385+ Customer Reviews

      View other formats and editions of Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds: Scottish by Duncan Williamson

      Publisher: Floris Books
      Publication Date: 18/08/2022
      ISBN13: 9781782508199, 978-1782508199
      ISBN10: 1782508198

      Description

      Book Synopsis

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

      Silver Unicorns and Golden Birds is a treasure trove of traditional Scottish folk and fairy tales as told by Duncan Williamson, one of Scotland's greatest storytellers.

      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 while carefully preserving 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.

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



      Trade Review

      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



      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

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