Legends highlight area's unique historical heritage

VisitScotland is encouraging visitors to find out more about the county’s legends and folklore, and the story of Earl Beardie and Old Nick is one of the stories being promoted through its iCentre in Dundee.

Glamis is home to several ghost stories and it is said that while playing cards one Saturday night the earl was reminded by a servant that it was close to midnight and that gambling on the Sabbath was a sacrilege.

The earl continued to play and at the stroke of midnight a mysterious figure asked to join the game. It is reported the mystery man was the devil and having won the earl’s soul in the game, condemned him to play until Doomsday for daring to play cards on the Sabbath. To this day sounds are reported to come from the West Tower of the castle – the alleged site of the card game.

Eleanor Mitchell, visitor services adviser, said: “The Year of Stories presents the ideal opportunity for us to lift the lid on some of our more unique characters and places. We would encourage locals and visitors to pop into our iCentre in the V&A for suggestions on things to see and do this Autumn.”