Carn Kenidjack (or Hooting Cairn)

The Devil's Wresting Match

There is a tale centred on Carn Kenidjack about two miners who, when returning from work each night, had to pass by the feature. It probably has more to do with strong ale and a need for an excuse than reality!

On a dark night the two miners were later than usual when returning from the pubs of Morvah after a good night there. Having difficulty finding the path round the cairn in the darkness, they heard a low moan, which rose to a high pitched howl, coming from the direction of Carn Kenidjack. The cairn started to glow eerily and the miners could sense, all around them,  the rapid movement of supernatural beings, heading towards the outcrop, and led by the Devil.

The two miners felt compelled to follow, and moved along with the invisible party (although they said they tried to break free), eventually reaching the cairn. Once there, a most peculiar vision met their eyes, as all around the host of otherworldly beings gathered into a circle. At the centre of this spooky circle were two wrestlers fighting for their lives. After a gigantic battle one of the contestants, after a forceful throw and a spectacular crash, was mortally wounded.

Being a lay preacher, one of the miners said a quiet prayer for the dying creature. With the word of God being spoken here was an almighty noise like thunder and the whole spectacle disappeared before them, leaving only the cairn, bathed in a dwindling light.

Released from their spell, the miners fled, but they couldn't find the path home. Eventually they dropped exhausted and fell into an troubled sleep, both awakening when the first rays of dawn lit the area. When they awoke, they found that they had slept next to the cairn.

And that's the story they told of their late arrival home; history does not record the reaction of their wives and friends!