Alec Williamson: storyteller
The late Alec Williamson was one of the last of the old-style Highland Travellers, with a vast repertoire of stories, songs riddles, jokes and anecdotes. In 2009, during the Year of Homecoming celebrations, Alec took a road-trip from Strathpeffer to Ullapool, along part of the seasonal routes his family once travelled. Along the way he shared stories, songs, jokes and riddles with his travelling companions. The trip was recorded by Bob Pegg, here are some extracts from the Traveller’s Tale video he made and an introduction by Bob.
Alec Williamson tells the tale of The Tiger Striped Dog that dwelt on the road north of Ullapool.
Alec sings Oran each a’ cheaird, The Traveller’s horse, written by the Lewis bard, Coinneach MacLeod.
Solve a riddle in Gaelic or English and a wee joke.
In this ghost story Alec tells the tale of two brothers and a ghostly apparition.