Gwyllyn was a bard employed by Colum MacKenzie at Castle Leoch.
Personal History[]
Gwyllyn was a Welsh musician whom Colum paid to stay at Castle Leoch as an entertainer. He was there as early as 1737, when Jamie Fraser spent a year living at the castle.
Events of the Novels[]
Outlander[]
In spring of 1743, Gwyllyn performs in the great hall at Castle Leoch, where Claire Beauchamp hears his music for the first time. He tells the story of the Wee Folk who tried to steal Ewan MacDonald's wife to be a wet-nurse to their own fairy children, and the story of the wife of the Laird of Balnain, who returned through rocks on a fairy hill. It is the second tale of the wife who returned through the rocks that catches Claire's attention, and gives her hope that perhaps the tale is based in truth, and she might be able to go back through the stones on Craigh na Dun to her own time.
Physical Appearance[]
Gwyllyn is physically unremarkable, with mousy brown hair and a light-boned physique, but his appearance ceases to matter once he begins to sing, which he does with great skill and natural ability.
Name[]
- Gwyllyn is a variant of the name Gwillym, a Welsh form of the name William, which comes from the Germanic name Willahelm and is composed of the elements wil "will, desire" and helm "helmet, protection".[1][2]
Trivia[]
- Gwyllyn the Bard plays three wooden flutes, of varying sizes, and the harp at Castle Leoch.[3]
TV Series[]
Scottish musician Gillebrìde MacMillan portrayed Gwyllyn in the television series.
Appearances[]
References[]
- ↑ Behind the Name: Gwillym. Accessed 25 July 2016.
- ↑ Behind the Name: William. Accessed 25 July 2016.
- ↑ Outlander, chapter 8