Untold Fife stories highlighted in new book

A Leven author is bringing some of Scotland’s forgotten stories to light with his latest book, covering some of the strangest and quirkiest events to have happened in Fife and Scotland.

‘Scotland’s Untold Stories’ is split into 30 chapters, each covering a different story, with many involving cases in Fife.

Author Leonard Low, who has previous written books about St Andrews, witches and a forgotten battle in the East Neuk, poured over books hundreds of years old and used his own research to find these unique tales.

“I have books going back to the 1500s,” he said. “There are stories that have been expanded with research. I could have done two volumes.

“It’s our history and stories that deserve to be told.”

Among the many highlights is the tale of an East Neuk minister who started receiving threatening letters in 1888, signed by the Ripper.

Frightened, he contacted a local detective, who started investigating the case. He found his Ripper among the students at Waid Academy, using the handwriting to learn the identity of the culprit – a 14-year-old boy.

Another highlight involves Alan Clephane, a Cupar man who gathered troops and fought alongside Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn. Alan lost his hand in the fighting, and, inspired by his courage, Bruce got his blacksmith to create an iron hand he could wear, capable of holding a sword. The hand still exists.

The book, published by Guardbridge Books, can be found in book shops and on Amazon – search for ‘Scotland’s Untold Stories’.