Da Unsained Bairns

Told by Davy Cooper. A dark story of the reputed power of trows.

Da trows unmaskit. Image from Da Book O Trows created by Peter Ratter Storyteller – Davy Cooper, Mossbank

 Origin – Traditional

This sombre story sets out the darker side of dealing with the trows as two young children are abducted and changelings put in their place. The story may have been devised as a salutary lesson in the need to take note of one's religious observances or it may simply have been a macabre tale devised for dark winter nights and the light of the peat fire.

 Shetland ForWirds acknowledges the kind permission of the Shetland Folklore Development Group for allowing the use of this recording.