Llansteffan Castle is an impressive, dramatically sited stronghold
crowning a hilltop overlooking the estuary of the River Tywi.
Urban Legend
The is the first of a series of cache's that
centre on local "Urban Legends".
The Village of Llansteffan, specifically the castle, is home to
the legend of the Gwyllgi – a red-eyed Dog of Darkness. This
monstrous dog with huge teeth and claws appears only at night, and
accompanies people who are on their own, crossing some lonesome
place. According to the legend, if you hear a chain rattling behind
you (because they always follow and never walk ahead of you), you
must not turn around to see what it is. It is believed that anyone
who saw the dog clearly would die within a fortnight. Black dogs
have been reported at places associated with violent crimes of the
past, and quite often in the grounds of castles.
Northern England has similar folklore, there it is known as
Barghest and on the Isle of Man it is called Mauthe Doog.
"Like one that on a lonesome road doth walk
in fear and dread... because he knows a frightful fiend doth close
behind him tread." Colleridge - The Rime of the Ancient
Mariner'.
For more information on the castle click
here
Note: Dogs are not allowed in the castle grounds.