Follow in footsteps of Merlin – through Scotland

HE is one of the most legendary wizards, conjuring up images of noble knights and a sword set in stone.

And despite Merlin’s parts in folklore across Europe, some historians now believe his inspiration may have been a hermit hiding out in an ancient Scots woodland.

Author Nikolai Tolstoy first theorised that the Arthurian legend might be based on a 6th century druid living in the Scottish Borders in his 1985 book on Celtic mythology The Quest for Merlin.

Now a seven-day adventure trail has been set up, inviting explorers to ‘follow the clues, examine the sites and arrive at your own conclusions’ about the possible connections with the mystic’s past.

The Merlin Trail, which can be walked or driven, is stretched

‘The beginning of the legend’

out over more than 30 sites in the South-West, the Borders and up into the Central Belt.

It urges people to consider what is known about the time when Christianity was threatening to change long-held beliefs around the country.

Developed by the Arthur Trails Association and conceived by author Robin Crichton, the new trail is intended to bring the worldwide fascination with the folklore of King Arthur to our great outdoors.

Merlin is traditionally seen as a Welsh legend, but Mr Crichton believes the man behind the myth spent his days roaming the great Caledonian Forest – with the story later transposed by monks to Wales.

He said: ‘This monk has a very clever idea of writing a 12thcentury James Bond thriller where he takes a bit of Arthur, a bit of Merlin, Avalon – which is in France – mixes them all up into a composite and that’s the beginning of the legend.’