Hidden Britain AtlasOpen the map
All places › Dragons & monsters
Dragon or monster

The Mester Stoor Worm

Orkney

A sea serpent so big its teeth became the islands.

In Orkney folklore, the Mester Stoor Worm was the biggest sea monster of all, its breath able to kill. A farm boy, Assipattle, sailed into its mouth and set fire to its liver with a burning peat.

Read the full story, see it on the map, get directions and find what else is nearby in the free Hidden Britain Atlas map.

Open The Mester Stoor Worm on the mapReport a sighting here
When
Legend
Where
59.0000, -3.1000
Group
Dragons & monsters

Visiting

Orkney's museums and storytellers keep the legend alive.

Nearby mysteries