Witch of the Glens

"Witch of the Glens" by Sally Watson is a historical novel written in the early 1960s. Set in the tumultuous backdrop of 17th century Scotland, the book follows the story of a young girl named Kelpie, who is part of a wandering gypsy family and is raised by an old witch and her brutish companion. The narrative explores themes of magic, danger, and the quest for identity against the societal turmoil of civil war, with Kelpie's desire to become a powerful witch guiding her journey. The opening of the novel introduces us to the tense atmosphere in the town of Inverness as the locals confront a gypsy family, accusing them of theft and witchcraft. The narrative quickly shifts focus to Kelpie, a young girl with a mischievous spirit, as she deftly escapes the angry mob after being implicated in the crimes. We see her cunning nature in action as she leaves chaos in her wake, and her longing to seize power through witchcraft unfolds. Through her relationship with the manipulative Mina and the brutish Bogle, the storyline sets the stage for Kelpie’s development as she navigates the challenges of loyalty, deception, and the desire for belonging.