Coming to life

Story by: Inspired by the Legend of the Kinnoull Hill Dragon first read on ‘Scotland’s Stories’ and adapted by Adventure Circus

Poetry by: Lesley Courtney

Dragon created by: Casey Campbell

Voice actors: Bethany Compson-Bradford & Tom Cawte

Performers: Graeme Garvie, Jo Reid, Suzie Bee, Gemma Simpson, Darren Reid, Lorna Campbell, Shirley Smith, Emma Harrison, Benjamin Dobson, Denise Eglinton, Stuart Eglinton, Joeann Cantillon, Colin Stewart, Lynn Brown and Greg Simpson

Fire tech support: Brendan Greville, Sandy Davidson and John Campbell

Local guidance: Thanks to Michael Boyle (PKC Events Officer)

The legend that was told centres on Kinnoull Hill above the city of Perth, which was regarded as an especially dangerous place to explore. Not just for the steep cliffs to the south, but because it was home to a ferocious dragon who made its base in a deep cave in Kinnoull Hill. It would torment the local countryside, snatching up livestock in its powerful jaws and carrying off bonnie, young lassies.

The people of Perth were in a panic. They knew where the dragons cave was but none of them were brave enough or strong enough to fight the beast. They turned to St Serf who had no problem at all slaying the mighty dragon with his staff.

This dragon had a diamond like stone in the middle of its head which was believed to be the source of its power. Somehow in the drama around the dragon's demise, the stone was forgotten about and lost.The people of Perth didn't care about the stone, they just rejoiced and a new festival started in celebration. Beltane, the firey Festival of the Dragon, was held on Kinnoull Hill. Young men and women would march through the town, beating drums and playing pipes on their way to the hill.

There, they would try and climb up to the dragon's cave as a spectacularly dressed figure looked on, with only a handful succeeding. In the 16th century, after the Scottish Reformation, the Festival of the Dragon was banned and the cave mostly ignored. Until now…