Midwinter Tales...

As regular readers may know, we like to spend the month of December, curating some appropriately spooky tales for the month.

This year we have dead sailors, poisoned mistletoe, an all new comic strip, ghostly goings on from Greenock Writers Club, Slenderman nightmares from Inverclyde Academy and some new recordings of our previous tales in a Tales of the Oak Christmas Special podcast - which also includes some songs. Truly diabolical. As ever, we'll also be sharing stories and films from further afield. To kick us off, an excellent adaptation of one from the master, M.R. James.

"The Wailing Well" was originally written for Eton Boy Scouts group, this adaptation is by the wonderful Loonatik and Drinks and tells the tale of three boy scouts separated from their troop while on a country hike...

Cornucopia

Don't fancy X-Factor? Here's some alternative spooky programming for ye.

In a piece of cross promotional festive fun, here's another chance to hear local folk-rock group Ard Amas take on the spooky tale of the familiarly named "Kaptayanos".  The Ard Amas album and many other wonderful festive gift ideas, including Magic Torch's books, are available from The Trust's Christmas Pop-Up Shop in Cathcart Street, Greenock - in the former Art, Crafts and Hobbies Store (or, more popularly "across the street from the Jimmy Watt Pub")




You may have noticed that we very much favour the work and style of M.R. James, we would therefore heartily recommend you check out the readings and discussions at A Podcast For The Curious. Just now there's a reading of "Stories I Have Tried To Write". Marvellous stuff.


Below, you can view one of the most terrifying slices of British TV ever produced. No really. "The Stone Tape" was written by Nigel Kneale of Quatermass fame and broadcast in the traditional BBC "Ghost Story For Christmas" slot. It was released on BFI DVD about ten years ago and then promptly disappeared. A team of scientists move into their new facility in a refurbished Victorian Mansion...





And if all of that isn't enough for you for this evening, then feel free to indulge in another Christmas tradition...Doctor Who, there's a wee gothic horror story over on my Stramashed blog.

Pleasant Terrors

Ghost Stories are best enjoyed in wintertime, by the fireside with friends, by candlelight with a book..the cold and the dark of the season are perfect for what are often referred to as "pleasant terrors".

So for the rest of December, Tales of the Oak will be sharing ghost stories old, new, local and international. Some written, some spoken, some traditional, some modern...hopefully something for everyone. You supply the chestnuts and mulled wine.

Where better to start, than with one from the master - M.R. James