The Nine Maidens

About the Book: 

When King Arthur was conveyed to Avalon they were there.

When Odin summoned warriors to Valhalla they were there.

When Apollo was worshipped on Greek mountains they were there.

When Brendan came to the Island of Women they were there.

They are the Nine Maidens – from the mothers of the Norse God Heimdall, Morgan and her sisters on Avalon, to the nine sisters at the heart of the found myth of the Gikuyu of Kenya or witches battling with the Irish St Patrick, these women stand out in history and mythology.

Triggered by a local story still told in his native Dundee, Stuart McHardy has traced what seems to be memories of groups of nine women across much of Europe and as far as Siberia, Korea, India and Africa. Whether as Pictish saints, muses, valkyries, druidesses or witches, the tales of these groups of nine women transcend a vast range of cultural and linguistic boundaries.

Reviews: 

Written and arranged in a way that is both accessible and scholarly, this is an excellent addition to the growing body of work on the Picts. The Courier on A New History of the Picts

A New History is a very valuable contribution to historical debate and cultural understanding. It also serves to bring issues often reserved to specialists to a general readership.Donald Smith, Scottish Storytelling Centre on A New History of the Picts

Two of the city's leading storytellers... have sifted through the centuries to compile the remarkable guide to Edinburgh's famous landmark. Arthur's Seat: Journeys and Evocations draws on folklore tales and real life stories to create a unique walkers' guide to the famous ridges, crags and valleys that make up the hillEdinburgh Evening News, on Arthur's Seat

Inspired by the NVA’s Speed of Light, this is a salute to the ancient tradition of storytelling, guiding the reader around Edinburgh’s famous ‘Resting Giant’ with an exploration of the local folklore and customsScottish Review of Books, on Arthur's Seat

Edinburgh Old Town; Journeys and Evocations is a welcome addition to the seemingly endless explorations in print of a city which continues to fascinate and inspire citizens and visitor alike, and which will doubtless appeal to both.  Edinburgh Guide, on Edinburgh Old Town

About the Author:

STUART MCHARDY is a writer, historical scholar, poet, musician, folklorist and renowned lecturer about Scottish history and culture, at home as well as abroad. His unique understanding of tradition comes from a thorough immersion in the storytelling arts and history alike. Former President of the Pictish Arts Society and the Director of the Scots Language Resource Centre, McHardy has occupied lead positions with organisations working towards the aim of rediscovering Scottish national identity.