The Worm of Linton

Linton Kirk sits on a little hill in a very quiet spot near the border. Things weren't quite so peaceful 900 years ago when the area was terrorised by an unusual creature.

The Worm of Linton was a vicious serpent that hid in a hollow under Linton Hill, living off the local livestock. It would appear at dawn and dusk to devastate the area with its powerful jaws and poisonous breath. Weapons proved useless against the Worm and it had killed everybody who got too close.

The legend reached the ears of a man called Somerville, the Laird of Lariston. He was desperate to make a name for himself so voluntarily rode to Linton to challenge the beast. Even the wild stories from the locals couldn’t dissuade him from facing the monster. He calmly sat on his horse outside the Worm's lair and waited. Eventually, the beast came out to meet him.

Somerville watched as the Worm opened its gaping jaws, but it couldn’t quite get them wide enough to swallow both man and horse. The beast just stood in confusion, not sure what to do now it had come across something so large. That gave Somerville an idea.

He returned to the lair with a specially made lance, twice as long as normal. It had spikes on the end which held a lump of burning peat. Just as before, the Worm came out and opened its jaws wide, unsure of what to do next. Before it could close its mouth, Somerville charged forward to thrust the burning peat down into the waiting throat.

The Worm of Linton was slain and Somerville was knighted as the first Baron of Linton. There is still evidence at Linton Kirk today. An old carved stone sits above the doorway of the modern church showing a man on a horse, lancing a mysterious creature.