STUART McHARDY is a writer, musician, folklorist, storyteller and poet, and has lectured on many aspects of Scottish history and culture both in Scotland and abroad. Combining the roles of scholar and performer gives McHardy an un-usually clear insight into tradition. As happy singing old ballads as analysing ancient legends, he has held such posts as Director of the Scots Language Re-source Centre and President of the Pictish Arts Society. McHardy is a prolific author, and has had several books published, including Tales of the Picts, Tales of Edinburgh Castle, The Quest for the Nine Maidens, On the Trail of Scotland’s Myths and Legends and Edinburgh and Leith Pub Guide. McHardy lives in Edinburgh with his wife Sandra.