Weight of Sand

The Weight of Sand is a new podcast exploring the life and legend of Isobel Gowdie, a woman accused of witchcraft in the Highlands of Scotland. In her folklore, we discover the tragic tale of the village of the Culbin, buried under sand to become the 'Sahara of Scotland.' This time travelling show unravels the nuances of social life in the North of Scotland and the mystery of the mythologies. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Annie takes her first trip back to Auldearn Tolbooth in 1662 to meet Isobel Gowdie, one of the most well-known women accused of witchcraft in the Scottish Witch Hunts. Her testimonies of witchcraft have influenced folklore for centuries. But, does Isobel herself believe in witchcraft? From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Annie meets with Janet Braidhead, a woman accused of witchcraft in Auldearn in 1662. Janet shares her knowledge of the blessings and the curses in the Moray Coast. Janet explains what it means to come hame with the cyarlin: to haul in an empty net... yet to have the knowing of a witch. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

In Annie's second interview with Isobel Gowide, we discuss the Land of the Fairies. It's perhaps not the Fairy Land we would picture nowadays, but rather a blend of Highland mythology, witchcraft lore, and Early Modern superstitions. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Annie interviews a reluctant Isobel Gowdie, who is insistent on discovering why folklore emerges that she cursed the lands of the Culbin. Thinking about the legends surrounding the Culbin, Annie reflects on a legendary artefact that was said to protect Isobel. Isobel questions who gets to be remembered in history and why. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Annie joins a group of Victorian tourists to take a trip to the Culbin Dunes of 1897. This little crew approaches this edge of the Moray Coast by train. Meanwhile, they blether about the legends of smugglers, sands and skeletons. How much do we need to know this place to understand the people? From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

It's 1897 and a little group of tourists are en route to visit the sands of the Culbin, a desert-like landscape in the North of Scotland. Enthusiastic tour guide Wee Hamish reads from an old book as we approach the Culbin by ferry. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Annie confirms that the village of the Culbin was buried under sands with her own eyes. Whilst on this trip, enthusiastic ghillie Wee Hamish tells a surreal, spooky story of love, death and a witches curse. How does this tie back to Isobel Gowdie, and what truths can we find hidden in the folklore? From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Behind the scenes, Producer Jenny has been investigating the environment of the Culbin. Shunning the folklore, we have a look at the true causes of the disappeared village. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Annie revisits Isobel Gowdie in 1662, to try to understand why Isobel may have believed in her own powers of witchcraft. Meanwhile, producer Jenny has been researching the Culbin and it's different cycles of life. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.

Annie is reunited with her producer Jenny, as they try to dig up the last words of Isobel Gowdie. They both reflect on the interlinked stories of Isobel Gowdie and the Culbin Sands, Dunes and eventual Forest. Many thanks to our voice actors throughout this show. Isobel Gowdie was played by Sara Boussaikouk. The Jailor and Wee Hamish were both played by Kyle Walker. Janet Braidhead was played by Liz MacDonald. Annie and Jenny played themselves. From the makers of Stories of Scotland and funded by Northword.