SCOTTISH BORDERS | ABOUT US | HELP | CONTACT US
Home | Title detail page
Title: Merlin
Author: Anonymous
Type: Border Myths
Genre: Supernatural, Traditional
Plot Summary: Merlin (according to some, a 6th century pagan bard and prophet) is reputed to have hidden among the hills and forests of the Upper Tweed, after the defeat of the Pagans by Christians at Arderydd (Arthuret, by Carlisle) in AD 573. Near an apple tree by the river Talla was one of Merlin’s favourite haunts, and between here and Drumelzier he is supposed to have met St Kentigern. Geoffrey of Monmouth (1150) claimed Merlin liked to rest by a spring (Geddes Well) in the hill called Broadlaw. A 16th century romance claims that for many years Merlin was himself enchanted by a beautiful lover who used magic to bind him helplessly in her lap. Ignorant yokels eventually clubbed and stoned Merlin, then hurled him into the Tweed from some cliffs. The wizard was caught in fishing nets below, and so drowned whilst suspended by the feet. In this way his prophesy that he would die by hanging, drowning and falling was fulfilled. He was buried near the kirk in Drumelzier, a village 8 miles south of Peebles. The precise spot of his burial is said to be where the Powsail or Drumelzier Burn joins the Tweed, an area now known as Merlindale. In the 13th century, Thomas Learmount of Ercildoune (see ‘Thomas the Rhymer’) prophesied that: ‘When Tweed and Powsail meet at Merlin’s grave/Scotland and England shall one monarch have.’ This prediction came true when the Tweed flooded at this spot on the very day King James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England.
Known TV / Film adaptions: 'Merlin' TV series filmed near Peebles (1998), directed by David Winning.
SITEMAP | LINKS | TERMS & CONDITIONS | © Edinburgh Film Focus 2009
Home | Title detail page
Title: Merlin
Author: Anonymous
Type: Border Myths
Genre: Supernatural, Traditional
Plot Summary: Merlin (according to some, a 6th century pagan bard and prophet) is reputed to have hidden among the hills and forests of the Upper Tweed, after the defeat of the Pagans by Christians at Arderydd (Arthuret, by Carlisle) in AD 573. Near an apple tree by the river Talla was one of Merlin’s favourite haunts, and between here and Drumelzier he is supposed to have met St Kentigern. Geoffrey of Monmouth (1150) claimed Merlin liked to rest by a spring (Geddes Well) in the hill called Broadlaw. A 16th century romance claims that for many years Merlin was himself enchanted by a beautiful lover who used magic to bind him helplessly in her lap. Ignorant yokels eventually clubbed and stoned Merlin, then hurled him into the Tweed from some cliffs. The wizard was caught in fishing nets below, and so drowned whilst suspended by the feet. In this way his prophesy that he would die by hanging, drowning and falling was fulfilled. He was buried near the kirk in Drumelzier, a village 8 miles south of Peebles. The precise spot of his burial is said to be where the Powsail or Drumelzier Burn joins the Tweed, an area now known as Merlindale. In the 13th century, Thomas Learmount of Ercildoune (see ‘Thomas the Rhymer’) prophesied that: ‘When Tweed and Powsail meet at Merlin’s grave/Scotland and England shall one monarch have.’ This prediction came true when the Tweed flooded at this spot on the very day King James VI of Scotland was crowned James I of England.
Known TV / Film adaptions: 'Merlin' TV series filmed near Peebles (1998), directed by David Winning.
SITEMAP | LINKS | TERMS & CONDITIONS | © Edinburgh Film Focus 2009