The Church Built By A Kelpie

St Vigeans is a small settlement on the edge of Arbroath, believed to have once been an important Pictish centre. The church sits dramatically on top of a small mound, surrounded by graves packed onto the sloping hillside. Even more dramatic is the story of the church’s construction.

Local folklore claims that the hill is entirely artificial, built on top of thick iron bars that prevent it falling into a loch deep below. The builder of St Vigeans church had captured the bridle of a terrifying Kelpie who lived in that loch. This powerful, shape shifting water-horse would be under his control for as long as he held that bridle.

With the strength of 10 regular horses, the Kelpie was forced to drag heavy blocks of stone into position. Then he built the mound and the church, all against his will. Kelpies are proud creatures though and once finally released, he put a curse on the church. One day a minister would kill himself and on the very next communion, the church would tumble into the loch below.

The story was passed down through the ages, with local people taking pride in their unique legend. Then one day in the late 17th century, tragedy struck and a minister did kill himself. The congregation of St Vigeans then refused to take communion there for the next 37 years.

Eventually in 1736, somebody was brave enough to take the risk. Just before communion, the entire congregation ran outside to watch from a safe distance, terrified that the church would collapse into a hidden loch.

Fortunately for St Vigeans, nothing out of the ordinary happened and the church still stands well above the ground.