"The people of the Outer Isles, like the people of the Highlands and the Islands generally, are simple and law-abiding people, common crime being rare and serious crime unknown among them. They are good to the poor, kind to the stranger, and courteous to all. During the years that I lived and travelled among them, night and day, I never met with incivility, never met with rudeness, never met with vulgarity, never with aught but with courtesy. I never entered a house without the inmates offering me food or apologizing for their want of it. I was never asked for charity in the West, a striking contrast to my experience in England, where I was frequently asked for food, for drink, for money, and that by persons whose incomes would have been wealth to the poor men and women of the West.
From The Carmina Gadelica
Introduction Vol. I
Alexander Carmichael
1900

Scottish Crofters on the Isle of Skye

Coat of Arms of Scotland

One question I often get is about oral tradition in Celtic societies. In early Celtic societies there was no written records, obviously this had lead to some gaps but there is a very strong sense of oral tradition.

"Gaelic oral literature was wisely diffused, greatly abundant, and excellent in quality- in the opinion of scholars, unsurpassed by anything in the ancient classics of Greece and Rome.

Many causes contributed towards these attainments-the crofting system, the social customs, and the evening 'celidh'. In a crofting community the people work in unison in the field during the day, and discuss in the house at night. This meeting is called 'ceildidh'-a word that throbs the heart of the Highlander, wherever he be. "
Carmina Gadelica Vol.I
Alexander Carmichael

Photo Cuchullain and Scathach

"The 'ceilidh'- is a literary entertainment where stories and tales, poems and ballads, are rehearsed and recited, and songs are sung, conundrums are put, proverbs are quoted, and many other literary matters are related and discussed. This institution is admirably adapted to cultivate the heads and to warm the hearts of an intelligent, generous people."

On The Ceildidh
Carmina Gadelica Vol. I
Alexander Carmichael

Queen Beira is the Queen of Winter in Scottish Lore. She is viewed as the spirit of Winter. She grows older and fiercer as the winter moves on until all her strength is spent. She renews her youth during the rest of the year.
The ancient people of Scotland as well as other Celtic and European societies held the seasons in very high regard. Life was cyclical.
@ScotlandEternal

Wonder-Tales-From-Scottish-Myth-And-Legend.pdf

A modern day idol of Queen Beira.
@ScotlandEternal

https://youtu.be/OwQCRaG6t78

A very good video on the Picts. I dont agree with everything, but overall good.