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.

Directions: Roch is reached on a minor road off the A487