Michael Scott — The Alchemist of the Eildons
A 13th-century Borders scholar so renowned that Dante placed him among the sorcerers. The man who split the Eildon Hills into three...
Enjoy a fascinating evening at Bedrule Church with historian and storyteller Mary Craig, exploring the Borders figure who walked the line between the highest scholarship in Europe and the darkest arts of legend.
Michael Scott was a 13th-century scholar so renowned throughout the known world that Dante placed him among the sorcerers in the Inferno. Tutor to the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, translator of forbidden Arabic texts, and master of demons — Scott is the Borders' own wizard, the man who split the Eildon Hills into three to prove his power. Yet he could not escape his own prophecy: that a pebble falling on his head would kill him.
Mary Craig tells the story of a man who stood at the meeting point of scholarship and the supernatural, and whose legend is written into the very landscape of the Borders.
Mary W. Craig is a writer and historian with a particular interest in the women and men accused as witches in 17th century Scotland. She co-hosts a podcast, Border Bletherings, which explores the curious, shadowy and magical history of the Scottish Borders.
This event is held in community owned Bedrule Church and is brought to you by Maiden Mother Crone CIC. Read more about Maiden Mother Crone.
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ReMembering the Borderlands: Michael Scott — The Alchemist of the Eildons
Time: 7:00-8.30pm, Wednesday 24th June, 2026 [doors at 6.30]
Cost: Pay what you can [your generous donation helps MMC build a living archive as part of the MetaMapping the BorderLands project.]
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Come to all four talks in this series:
ReMembering the Borderlands is a monthly series held by Maiden, Mother Crone CIC , at Bedrule Church between April and July 2026.
Four figures from the Scottish Borders will be explored: Philosopher, Prophet, Wizard, Saint.
29 April — Duns Scotus: The Subtle Doctor
27 May — Merlin: The Wild Man of the Woods
24 June — Michael Scott: The Wizard of the Eildons
29 July — St Cuthbert: From the Tweed to the Edge of the World
Each evening is a gathering — not a lecture. A talk by Mary W Craig, followed by community sharing and open conversation.
If you have stories, memories, local knowledge, or family connections to the figure being discussed, this is the space to share them.