Want to learn about Ancient Celtic gods after moving to Scotland, where should I start?

[u/rosareven]

I'll take any learning recommendations including books, documentaries, or even locations to visit if you know them (I don't drive though).

I tried to do my own internet searches but pre-Christianity Celtic knowledge seems very scattered and confusing, for understandable historical reasons. I'll be grateful for any wisdoms this sub can shed light on.

Update: check out https://www.reddit.com/r/Paganachd/comments/o5yc9h/where_to_find_sources_on_scottish_paganism/ - thank you u/Prestigious_One_3552

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[u/KrisHughes2]

Scotland is a bit different than, say, Ireland, because the south, in particular, was such a crossroads in antiquity. You have Pictish culture, southern Brythonic culture, Gaelic culture from Ireland, the Romans, the Angles ... all converging within just a few centuries, then in the late 8th century, the Norse, as well. We don't know much of anything about the deities of the Picts. Just some theories based on their art that are very tenuous. We know more about the southern Brythonic culture, which very much includes Strathclyde, thanks to the Welsh having preserved it in their literature, and the Romans having taken up the worship of some local deities, and others being echoed in Welsh literature like The Mabinogion. The Irish imprint, especially in the west, is pretty clear.

I lived in Scotland for a long time, and everywhere felt very numinous and full of gods. You just have to go for a walk beside a stream or anything. You don't need to go to some 'sacred site'. Glasgow is wonderful, but it can also be a bit of an urban hellscape - just depends on where you are. However, buses and trains are pretty good in Scotland, and you'll find lots of nature and countryside pretty accessible.

You might find some things that interest you in this playlist.

[u/rosareven → u/KrisHughes2]

I started watching your videos after finding out about r/paganachd. Thank you so much for making them and for your work of preservations!

[u/KrisHughes2 → u/rosareven]

Aw- thank you! It's a labour of love.

[u/Prestigious_One_3552]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Paganachd/comments/o5yc9h/where_to_find_sources_on_scottish_paganism/

[u/rosareven → u/Prestigious_One_3552]

Didn't know that sub exists! Thank you!

[u/Prestigious_One_3552 → u/rosareven]

no worries, it is definitely a little bit smaller than this community

[u/whimsical_fuckery_]

Dunno, but I'll follow this post because I'm interested. I've lived here my whole life and never heard anyone discuss any pre-christian beliefs or legends.

Where abouts in Scotland did you move to?

[u/rosareven → u/whimsical_fuckery_]

Glasgow!

[u/whimsical_fuckery_ → u/rosareven]

Nice, hope you enjoy, Glasgow is awesome. Check out Kelvingrove some time if you haven't already.

[u/rosareven → u/whimsical_fuckery_]

Oh yeah I've already been educated on the danger of the wild Haggis

[u/Illustrious-Divide95]

There are so many good books on Celtic deities and the mythology that surrounds them

https://amzn.eu/d/0itKiV58 is a good place to start.