The De’il of Ardrossan

Sir Fergus Barclay of Ardrossan was famous across Europe as a sublime horseman. It was said that he could tame horses no other man would go near. When he rode, Barclay could perform stunts and his mount could move faster than seemed physically possible.

Strangers assumed it was a combination of natural skill and hours of training, but the locals knew the truth. Barclay had sold his soul to the Devil in return for an enchanted bridle. He was known by all a the De’il of Ardrossan.

This bridle gave Fergus control over any horse he approached, just by thinking commands the horse understood his intention. The Devil always comes to claim his side of the bargain eventually though. As time went on, Barclay became more and more paranoid, terrified at the cost he would have to pay for his horsemanship.

One night, Barclay finally came face to face with the Devil once more. The doomed man had thought long and hard about this day, planning for a way out of the bargain he had struck. He knew the Devil was too vain for his own good, so offered him an impossible challenge before he could have his prize.

The Devil didn’t believe anything could be outwith the reach of his powers and readily agreed. Barclay instructed him to make long ropes out of the sand on Ardrossan beach. Only then would he give up his immortal soul.

No matter how hard he tried, the weaved sand rope was barely started by the time it collapsed and the tide washed it away. Barclay’s plan had worked, but the Devil didn’t just walk away. He transformed into an enormous horse and kicked Ardrossan Castle so hard that his hoofprint is still visible in the stonework today.