The Devil in the Mountainside
High up on the mountainside near Maesteg, a small town in Wales, a legendary encounter has been etched into local folklore. It was here that a group of miners, taking a break from their labour, invited a passing stranger to join their card game. The stranger, with an air of quiet confidence, sat down and began to play. His winning streak was nothing short of remarkable, but it wasnt until the miners caught a glimpse of his cloven feet that they realised who - or what - they were playing with. The game came to an abrupt end as the miners fled in terror, leaving their mysterious guest to disappear into the misty mountainside.
This old legend, known as Old Nick, speaks of a time when the boundaries between the worlds were perhaps a little more blurred. The story doesnt specify when exactly this encounter took place, but its themes and motifs are reminiscent of ancient tales where the devil himself would walk among men, often in the guise of a stranger. The fact that the miners were able to see the strangers true form - his cloven feet - suggests that they were either very lucky or very unlucky, depending on how you look at it. The encounter has been passed down through generations, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of inviting unknown strangers into ones life.
The legend of Old Nick has its roots in ancient European folklore, often depicted as a malevolent being or the devil himself.
Location
Location Details
Nearby Haunted Places
Entrance to Fairyland Haunting
General area, Vale of Neath
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The Tall Man of Rhos
y, Rhos
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Llanpumsaint Ghostly Funeral
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In the rural Welsh town of Llanpumsaint, a lone horseback rider had a terrifying encounter with a ghostly funeral procession on an unidentified road. The startled rider and his mount were both spooked by the apparition, which seemed to vanish into thin air. What's fascinating is that about a week later, a real funeral procession made its way down the same road, and the witness claimed it was eerily identical to the ghostly one he had seen earlier.
Pontardawe Phantom Compensation
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The Greyhound Ghost
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The Greyhound Public House in Neath is home to a most intriguing haunting. A former regular, Bryn, has been seen returning to the pub several years after his passing. His presence is a friendly one, and he's said to make his presence known to patrons. It's a curious case, really, and one that's left many wondering about the nature of his return.
Mysterious Window Closings
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Stay Nearby
Haunted hotels and accommodation near Mountainside near Colliery
