Theres all sorts of Wee Nasties hiding around Inverclyde,

a bogle with smelly feet, a grumpy old wizard casting cheeky spells,

and even a (mostly) friendly monster in the river.

Meet them all and hear about some of the strange things going on in

your home town...

It aye gets dark, it aye gets coldAnd theres aye a quick road home

But be careful where you wanderIf youre walking home alone

Because....

Up the Ports a bogleA right wee nasty gnome

Hell nip your toes and steal your noseAnd hide under his big stone.

His teeth are sharp as safety pinsHis eyes light up the street

And when he takes his boots offHe has awful smelly feet.

But if you see him when its dayBe sure to catch him quick

He has to give you one free wishOr do a magic trick

By Newark a mermaidTells fortunes at the shoreShe knows just by magic

What tomorrow has in store.Her nets are full of secrets

She hears stories in the shellsAnd they whisper recipes

For the potions that she sells.Bog myrtle cream for midgies

Nettles for the sneezesHeather tea for coughs and colds

She cures all wee diseases.

Through the glen theres witchesBrewing magic spells and chanting

Theres no telling who theyre cursingOr what folk theyre enchanting.One night they went to Gourock

(Though theyll tell you that they never)They danced around the Kempock stone

Then tried to push it in the river.These witches had a special hat

And it could help them flyIf you get that magic bunnetYoull race across the sky.

Up the hills a giantWho sleeps the years away

A warrior from ancient timesOr so the stories say.

He got tricked by witchesWho put potion in his beer

He had to have a wee lie downAnd thats why hes stuck here.

Hes underneath the grass and treesBut one day he will wake

Shake off the snow, rise and shineAnd the towns below will quake.

The water hides a monsterBeneath the tides and foamLady Clutha of the Clyde

Our river is her home.She was here before the RomansGave the Vikings quite a fright

If any boats came near herShe just had to have a bite.

But now shes much more friendlyTo ships both big and small

She mostly stays beneath the wavesAnd hardly eats people at all.

Down the docks a pirateThe ghost of Captain Kidd

They hanged him down in LondonFor all the crimes he did.

He raided French and Spanish shipsIf he saw a boat hed loot it

He buried all his treasure wellThen forgot just where he put it.

They say Kidd hid his treasure mapIn Greenock, so Im told

If you ever come across itYoull find lots of pirate gold.

Up the moors a wizardOn top of Dunrod Hill

Its evil Auld Dunrod himselfWho casts his spells there still.

He mixes in his cauldronMermaids tails and goblin bones

His pockets full of potionsRunes, charms and magic stones.But if he sees you in the treesBe sure you dont get caught

Run much faster than his broomstickOr hell put you in his pot.

So mind your step when walking homeDont wander down dark streets

You never know whos hiding thereOr what nasties you might meet...

Wee Nasties is published by Magic Torchand produced with the assistance ofHeritage Lottery Fund Scotland - Your Heritage Grants.

No part of this book may be produced or transmittedin any form or by any means without the permission inwriting from the publisher, except for the purposes of review.This book is strictly not for sale or resale by third parties ineither physical or digital editions. It has been grant funded byHeritage Lottery Fund to be distributed for free.

Magic Torch generate no income from this publication.

All illustrations copyright Mhairi M Robertson.

Research by Magic Torch, text by Paul Bristow.

Typeset and design by trust design

www.talesoftheoak.co.uk

All these Wee Nasties are real characters from the folklore of Inverclyde.

The Bogle gives its name to the Boglestone at the top of theClune Brae in Port Glasgow. Some folk think its a ghost, others a goblin.

Everyone agrees its very cheeky.

In the 17th Century, a coven of witches from Inverkip wereconvicted of a series of diabolical deeds, including trying to push the

Kempock Stone into the Clyde to bring misfortune to sailors and fishermen.

Auld Dunrod was an evil wizard who terrified local farmersand landowners. He ended his days selling magical potions

and charms to bring good fortune to sailors.

Captain Kidd is one of the most famous pirates in the world, legends ofhis exploits inspired the novel Treasure Island. Stories say he was

born in Greenock, though he spent most of his life in New Yorkand on the high seas. Treasure hunters still look for his loot.

Clutha (or Cluaidh) is the Gaelic name for the River Clyde,it comes from Clota, the name of the ancient river goddess worshipped

by the Damnonii tribe who were one of the first tribes to live in the area.

The Port Glasgow Mermaid is listed in a number of accounts from the18th Century, when she was said to appear to local people at the riverside

suggesting herbal remedies. If they drank nettles in March,and muggins in May, sae many braw maidens, wadna gang to the clay.

The Hill Giant can be seen enjoying a wee relax across the riveron sunny days. He is one of a few giants who fell asleep in the

area in olden times - theres one down near Arran as well.

You can find out more about all these Wee Nasties,hear songs, stories and much more at

www.talesoftheoak.co.uk