The Clans of Darkness: Scottish Stories of Fantasy and Horror

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Summary: Clans of Darkness: a review
Review: This particular anthology was fascinating in its treatment of the ghost story theme. It is an anthology written for the more experienced reader (that is, this is NOT a kid's book - sorry guys!). Probably the most unique aspects of this particular book are that; firstly it deals only with ghost tales and hauntings of Scotland but also of Scots in other lands (from memory, one tale is set in Canada, secondly the collection of yarns contains a pleasing amount of fiction as well as historic/legendary tales of, not just hauntings, but also of traditional supernatural folk lore - for example, one of the first 'cabs off the rank' is the tale of Thomas the Rhymer; an authentic character of Scottish history who was a supporter of William (Braveheart) Wallace. Thomas (or Earl Rymour) was an acknowledged prophet and soothsayer of his time - a gift he was said to have received from the 'Queen of Elfland'. Thomas the Rhymer was also celebrated in a song of the same name by the English Folk Rock group Steeleye Span on their 'Now We Are Six' album. Having set the tone, the rest of the anthology follows in the same classy and brilliantly presented vein.