| Bryn Myrddin Merlin's Hill |
The hill is one of many places in Britain reputed to be the prison of Merlin, where Merlin lies asleep in a cave awaiting the call to return and help his fellow countrymen. According to tradition it is possible to hear his groans from under the hill if you listen hard enough. In legend Merlin was born in Carmarthen 2 miles away from the hill.
The whole of the area around the valley of the River Towy is associated with him, a stone known as Merlin's Stone was associated with a prophesy that a Raven would drink of the blood of a man from the stone. This is said to have come true after it fell on a man who was digging for treasure thought to be buried underneath it.
|
| Map ref: |
| Directions: North of the A40 |
|
 |
| Roch Castle |
| According to folklore Adam De La Roche, a Norman landowner was told by a local wise woman that he would die by the bite of an adder, but he could escape the prophesy if he managed to get through a predicted year in safety. He built Roch Castle (which dates from the 13th century) on the volcanic outcrop so that it was far above the surrounding landscape. He spent the fateful year in the upper reaches of the castle. On the last day of that year the weather was freezing, and a servant delivered some firewood to the secluded room from the local woods. Adam was reaching in the basket to pull out a log when an adder, that had been sheltering inside bit him. He was found dead the next morning in front of the low burning embers.
|
| Map ref: |
| Directions: Roch is reached on a minor road off the A487 |
|
