Thomas Hall Tweedy - Tam o'Shanter Wood Carvings, 1860

Tam o'Shanter, where Tam reaches Kirk Alloway and is stopped in his tracks to watch, in the ruins, a dance of witches.

I have no idea what that poem is about but this wood carving is amazing.

 

"This carving by Thomas H. Tweedy, c1860, depicts the central scene in the poem

Tam is shown peering through a window of the Kirk 'amaz'd and curious' while the core of witches and warlocks conduct their dance. Auld Nick is shown seated in the window playing the pipes."

 

 

 

 

"This carving by Thomas Tweedy, c1860, depicts the closing scene in the poem Tam o' Shanter, where Tam reaches the Brig o' Doon pursued by a 'hellish legion' of witches led by Nannie (Cutty Sark).

Tam is shown on his grey mare Meg at the point of crossing the brig when the tail of his horse is pulled off by the witch who as folklore has it 'a running stream they dare na cross' allowing Tam to escape."

http://monsterbrains.blogspot.ca/