There are a vast number of legends surrounding the area, bizarrely many of them involve the devil...

Cortachy

The Devil's Stone.

Sitting in the River Esk next to Cortachy Church there is a large boulder called 'The Devil's Stone. Legend tells that the devil was unhappy about the original church being built on the site, therefore he hurled the stone at the church, but missed. It is also claimed that he placed a curse on the stone. Every time the river rises and water covers the boulder a member of the Ogilvy (Earl of Airlie's) family will die.

The Little Drummer Boy.

Cortachy Castle is said to be haunted by a drummer boy who beats his drum when a member of the Ogilvy family is near death. The drummer was killed by being flung from a window in the castle tower. Some say this was as a punishment for philandering with the Earl's wife, others claim that he conspired with an attacking enemy, allowing them to approach without sounding the alarm.

GlenQuiech

Horniehaugh

Horniehaugh is an old farmhouse that lies on the western side of Glen Quiech. There was a well next to the house. Allegedly the devil (Auld Hornie) appeared from the well, and since then it has been called Horniehaugh.

Doolie Den

Doolie Den is a small river cut valley that used to allow easy access between the east and west sides of the glen. The minister was cycling along the path when the Devil (Doolie) appeared to him. The Devil obviously liked this part of the glen as Doolie Den is only a few hundred yards from Horniehaugh.

Rashie Bog

Rashie Bog is a derelict farm further up the glen. It is said that the owner, Dauvit Ogilvy, had an illicit still producing whisky. The excise men learnt of this and came up the glen in the winter. They asked where the still was and they were told it was in a small cavern under a white stone, but as there was snow on the ground they could not see it. When they came back in the spring to look for the white stone they discovered that the hillside was covered in white stones and were never able to find it.

There are fuller versions of many of these stories in the Glens Folk book (see Items for Sale).