The Sidlaws, The

The Sidlaws are a low range of hills running from Montrose in the east to Perth in the west. The glens in this sparsely populated area are an unbelievably rich source of tales, legends, historical incidents and songs. Many of the stories describe terrible or heroic deeds during sieges and rebellions. Others tell of the dramatic exploits of smugglers. Maurice Fleming's research in old newspapers and documents has taken him from great houses such as Glamis to the spirits of the stones and the heather. A large proportion of the tales have a supernatural element, giving accounts of fairies, kelpies, brownies, witches, warlocks, serpents and the Devil himself.