🧙‍♂️ The Lonely Shepherd Legend (aka the Peaky Stone)
The Lonely Shepherd legend is one of Monmouthshire’s most haunting folktales, centered around a standing stone known as the Peaky Stone. This eerie story tells of a cruel shepherd who was turned to stone as punishment—and every midsummer’s eve, locals say he walks to the river calling for his lost wife.
You know how sometimes you go out looking for a nice peaceful walk and end up standing next to a rock that might be a cursed man? Just South Wales things.
Meet The Lonely Shepherd, also known as the Peaky Stone — a standing stone perched up on the hillside between Llangattock and Llanelly parishes, with a cracking view over the Vale of Usk. On the surface, it looks like your average ancient stone sticking out of the landscape. But local legend? Oh, it’s extra.
The Tale (cue the eerie music) 🎻
Long ago, there was a shepherd who apparently wasn’t a very pleasant bloke. The story goes he was so cruel to his wife that, in despair, she threw herself into the River Usk. As punishment, the powers-that-be (we’re not sure who, but we assume they were pretty miffed) turned him into stone.
But not just any old stone — this one got a starring role in a folktale.
Midsummer’s Eve: Not Just for Flower Crowns 🌕
Legend has it that on the eve of Midsummer’s Day, the stone stops being, well, a stone. For one night, the shepherd comes back to life, wandering down toward the river, calling out his wife’s name — probably realising far too late that he’d really messed things up.
It’s both romantic and bleak. Like Wuthering Heights if it starred sheep.
Local Traditions 🪣
Apparently, the women of the area used to whitewash the stone every year. Some say it was to keep the ghostly shepherd at bay. Others reckon it was a symbolic way of trying to cleanse the memory of what happened. Either way, that’s a fair bit of effort for a rock — even a haunted one.
Walks, Views & Vibes 🥾
Folklore aside, it’s a beautiful spot. There are several walking trails that’ll get you up there — I followed one from near Crickhowell. It’s a bit of a climb but nothing too wild, and once you’re up top you’re rewarded with views across the Black Mountains, Skirrid, and Sugar Loaf. Good excuse to stop and pretend you’re taking in the scenery while secretly catching your breath.
Photos-wise, the Lonely Shepherd makes for a dramatic silhouette if the light plays nice. I was lucky with the clouds and caught some moody shots (those will be going up soon — stay tuned). No ghost sightings, though. Unless you count the dog that came out of nowhere and photobombed me.
🥾 Getting There (aka, how to go look at a rock)
You’ll find the Lonely Shepherd near the top of Mynydd Llangatwg, right on the boundary between Llangattock and Llanelly parishes. It’s a bit of a walk but nothing too dramatic — unless you forget snacks, in which case yes, very dramatic.
- Postcode: NP8 1LG (but don’t trust it too much — sat navs can’t read contour lines)
- Parking: Hafod Road escarpment near Llangattock
- Trail: Try the Mynydd Llangatwg and The Lonely Shepherd loop (6.9km, about 2 hours). Big skies, rolling views, and just enough uphill to justify a cuppa after. Check it out on Alltrails here >>
📸 Why I Went (Spoiler: It Wasn’t for the Romance)
I went for the views — the kind that make you go “wow” a bit too loudly when no one’s around. Skirrid, Sugar Loaf, Black Mountains — they’re all on show up here. And of course, I took a few photos (read: about 87). There’s something about this one stone, stood there alone with the landscape stretched out behind it, that really makes you pause.
Plus, it gave me an excuse to mutter “legend says he walks again…” under my breath like a budget ghost tour guide.
🧙‍♂️ The Lonely Shepherd LEGEND: Myth, Mystery & Moody Views
You know those stories that stick with a place so long, it’s hard to tell where the landscape ends and the legend begins? This is one of those. The Lonely Shepherd (aka the Peaky Stone) isn’t just a big lump of rock with a view — it comes with a full-on tragic backstory, a midsummer haunting, and just the right amount of eerie local lore.
Below are a few questions people tend to ask — and a few I asked myself before wandering up there with my camera and a flask of tea.
âť“ What is the Lonely Shepherd myth?
Local legend says the stone was once a shepherd — not the friendly, wooly-jumper-wearing kind, but a right nasty piece of work who treated his wife so badly, she ended her life in the River Usk. As punishment, he was turned into stone and left staring out over the valley for eternity.
Every year on Midsummer’s Eve, it’s said he turns back into a man, trudging down to the river calling her name. Whether he finds her or not… well, you’ll have to hike up and find out, won’t you?
🪨 What is the story behind the Lonely Shepherd?
Bit more detail for the folklore fans:
- He was a shepherd — grumpy, cruel, and apparently not big on emotional intelligence.
- His wife, after who knows how many rows and miserable evenings, drowned herself in the Usk.
- The valley (or possibly a vengeful local deity) wasn’t having any of it and turned him into a standing stone as penance.
- Older locals say women used to whitewash the stone once a year — either to ward off his spirit or give him a fresh coat of guilt.
So yeah. Classic tale of “don’t be awful or you might end up immortalised in rock.”
đź“Ť Where is the Lonely Shepherd?
You’ll find the Lonely Shepherd perched on a hillside near Llangattock, overlooking the Vale of Usk — not far from Abergavenny. It’s part of a walking route up Mynydd Llangatwg and offers cracking views of the Black Mountains, the Skirrid, and Sugar Loaf (the hill, not the cake).
You can park up near the escarpment on Hafod Road, or start from Crickhowell High School for a longer route. Bring water, decent shoes, and a bit of respect for grumpy legends.
📅 What happens at the Lonely Shepherd on Midsummer’s Eve?
According to the myth, this is the one night of the year the shepherd gets a second chance — rising from stone and walking toward the Usk, calling out for the wife he drove away. Romantic? Maybe. Regretful? Definitely. Bit unsettling? Also yes.
No sightings yet… but if you happen to spot a bloke in outdated shepherd gear calling into the mist, do let me know (preferably before he turns back to stone).
If you like your walks with a side of legend and your photos with a bit of atmosphere, the Lonely Shepherd is worth a visit. Just don’t hang around at midnight. Unless you’re into haunted ex-shepherds, in which case — live your truth.
Final Thoughts
If you’re into Welsh folklore, scenic hikes, or mildly spooky stones with an emotional backstory, the Lonely Shepherd legend is well worth a visit. Just don’t go up there at midnight on Midsummer’s Eve… unless you fancy being shouted at by a ghostly man with bad life choices.
So, that’s the Lonely Shepherd legend—a bit spooky, a bit sad, and definitely worth a visit if you’re up for some stunning views and local folklore. If you enjoyed this glimpse into Monmouthshire’s mysteries, why not stick around and check out some of my other scenic snaps? From sunsets to swans, there’s plenty to explore through my lens.
Feel free to wander through the blog, and maybe even get inspired for your own local adventure!
