Werewolves

Join Wyrdo's Craig and Andy for this special episode of Wyrd Wessex as they're joined by special guest and traditional storyteller Eileen Budd to delve into the fascinating and frightening world of werewolves and black dogs.Legends of the Black Dog and Scottish PhantomsWe explore chilling accounts from Scotland as Eileen shares the folklore of black dogs haunting a Glasgow prison and the tenement built on its foundations decades later, connecting the stories to modern phenomena and the historical folklore of rabies. Eileen also recounts the truly wyrd Scottish tale of David Sutter, a murderer whose spirit returns as a giant dog to haunt the first human he saw after his crime, serving as a powerful story of penance and curses.Savage Wolves and Haunting SpectresAndy recounts the savage and terrifying tale of the Wolf of Wales, an 18th-century beast with hauntingly human-like blue eyes, a legend that has continued with startling modern sightings. Craig tells a frightening Christmas story from Elliot O'Donnell's book about a family haunted by a wolf-like spectre—the Phantom of Cumberland—and the dark secret found in a cave nearby. Andy presents a first-hand Hebridean account of a man who finds a werewolf skeleton, only for the remains to come back and haunt him.Modern Beliefs and the Werewolf TrialsThe hosts discuss the strange and shocking European werewolf trials, where people would confess to being lycanthropes, and the theories behind these dramatic admissions. The Wyrdo's discuss why belief in these creatures is still surprisingly common, citing a recent YouGov poll. They explore how folklore is intrinsically linked to politics and societal fears, with Eileen revealing the metaphorical meaning of "werewolf" in Scots language. Craig ends with a final, fascinating modern story about the werewolf-like creature known as Old Stinker, which stalks the Yorkshire Wolds.Guest and Production InformationTo hear more of Eileen's work, check out her podcasts, Scottish Folk and At Home With The Picts. You can also find her on Instagram at @EileenBudd.Stay Wyrd!www.wyrdwessex.co.ukBuy our merch hereWritten by Craig Brooks and hosted by Craig Brooks and Andy StevensEdited by Craig BrooksIntro music by Leonell Cassio - The Paranormal Is Real (ft. Carrie) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.