The Legend of Black Shuck

The legend of Black Shuck has almost as many variations as Gin. Whilst some believe the ghostly spirit dog, with huge red eyes, acts as a protector of lone women walking the coast paths at night time others firmly believe that the legendary hound is a bad omen. In days gone by, Smugglers used stories of Black Shuck to ensure superstitious fishermen stayed at home when they wanted to bring their smuggled cargo ashore.

One legend claims that the demon dog has its origins in Norse mythology and that Black Shuck accompanied Thor, the Norse god of thunder, to Great Britain on the Viking long boats thousands of years ago. Another popular legend alleges that a Danish fisherman, a Saxon fisherman and a black dog got into trouble whilst out fishing. Supposedly, the body of the Danish fisherman washed up at Beeston, while the body of the Saxon fisherman washed up at Overstrand and the dog, Black Shuck, has roamed the coastline in between looking for his masters ever since.