Tullibole Castle’s Drunken Ghost

When the Kings of Scots travelled between Falkland Palace and Stirling Castle, they would often stop a night or two at Tullibole Castle. Naturally the King stayed comfortable indoors, but there was nowhere near enough space for his enormous retinue. Instead, a temporary village sprung up down by the river, just outside the castle walls.

On one such trip, the King's best warrior issued a challenge to any of the Laird's men. He was a big talker and an even bigger drinker so it wouldn’t be a battle between swords or pistols. The weapons of choice were tankards full of beer.

Most of the Laird's men took one look at the champion and knew they didn't stand a chance. His bragging was relentless though, so they were determined to shut him up. Word was sent for big Kelty from a neighbouring farm, nobody held their drink better than him. The challenge was accepted, and the two men sat down to their unusual duel.

They downed cup after cup, matching each other with ease and none of the watching crowd could tell who was going to come out on top. The drinking lasted all night and all the next day.

Eventually, the King's soldier toppled sideways with a groan, spilling his drink on the ground. With a relieved sigh, Kelty drained his final drink and stood up to resounding cheer before promptly collapsing in a snoring heap.

When Kelty woke up, he saw grave looks on the faces around him. The King's man wasn't sleeping, he was dead. The soldier was buried next to the river by a small pool now known as The Troopers Dubb.

On dark nights his ghost can still be heard wandering the grounds between Tullibole Castle and the river. He drunkenly hiccups and begs for one more cup so he can finally win the competition.