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To mark Robert Louis Stevenson Day 2013, the Association for Scottish Literary Studies presents three uncanny stories by Robert Louis Stevenson: “Thrawn Janet”; “The Tale of Tod Lapraik”; and “The Bottle Imp”. These eerie tales of witches, warlocks, and demonic pacts are outstanding examples of the storyteller’s art.

Strange Tales is published by the Association for Scottish Literary Studies, with the kind support of the Robert Louis Stevenson Club. In partnership with the Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the RLS Club, you can pick up a printed copy of Strange Tales for free at Edinburgh city libraries, or at the Tusitala, Teller of Tales event on RLS Day, 13 November, as long as stock lasts. Click here for more information on RLS Day and how to join in online at #RLSDay.

Three of Scotland’s leading authors have recorded their own readings of the stories, and these are also available free online:

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Louise Welsh reads “The Bottle Imp”

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Alan Bissett is a writer, dramatist and performer, born and raised in Falkirk and now resident in Glasgow. He is the author of the novels Boyracers (Polygon, 2001); The Incredible Adam Spark (Headline, 2005); Death of a Ladies’ Man (Hachette, 2009); and Pack Men(Hachette, 2011). His dramatic works include The Ching Room and The Moira Monologues(both 2009). Most recently he enjoyed considerable critical success at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe with his one-man show, Ban This Filth!

James Robertson is a novelist and poet who grew up in Bridge of Allan, Stirlingshire. He is the author of several short story and poetry collections, and has published five novels to date: The Fanatic (Fourth Estate, 2000); Joseph Knight (Fourth Estate, 2003); The Testament of Gideon Mack (Hamish Hamilton, 2006); And the Land Lay Still (Hamish Hamilton, 2010); and The Professor of Truth (Hamish Hamilton, 2013). He also runs the independent publishing company Kettillonia, and is a co-founder (with Matthew Fitt and Susan Rennie) and general editor of the Scots language imprint Itchy Coo, which produces books in Scots for children and young people.

Louise Welsh is a writer based in Glasgow. She is the author of The Cutting Room(Canongate, 2003), Tamburlaine Must Die (Canongate, 2004); The Bullet Trick (Canongate, 2006); Naming the Bones (Canongate, 2010); and The Girl on the Stairs (John Murray, 2012). Her new book, A Lovely Way to Die (John Murray), will be published in March 2014. She wrote the libretto for Ghost Patrol (composer Stuart MacRae), an hour-long opera produced by Scottish Opera and Music Theatre Wales, which won a South Bank Award and was shortlisted for an Olivier Award (2013). Louise was a visiting fellow on the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (2011) and was writer in residence at the University of Glasgow and Glasgow School of Art (2010–2012).

Alistair Braidwood and Ian Gregson of Scots Whay Hae! recorded all of our readers at the University of Glasgow. Scots Whay Hae! is a website and podcast which deals with the best of Scottish literature, music and film.