Sawney Bean: The Scottish Cannibal Killer (Ghastly Tales of Scotland) | Documentary

A documentary looking into the life and horrific crimes of Sawney Bean, the Scottish cannibal killer.
Music provided by Incompetech (Kevin MacLeod)
"Consequence", "Dark Pad", "Moorland", "Ossuary 6 - Air", "Skye Cuillin", "Thunder Dreams"
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 creativecommons...
Visual content provided by Alan Graham and Videvo
(Videvo Users : Beachfront, NatureClip, MaustinDesign, Dinosawr_rob)
Written and Presented by Martin Yates
Direction and Cinematography by Calum MacPhail

[@ghastlytales]

Check out our expanded tour of "Sawney Bean's Cave" kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4itqYWvhJitY6M

[@iscreamman6344]

You know Hanji is crying right now while watching this.

[@yangaristosa6389]

Hahaha. Ikr! #AOT brought me here.

[@iscreamman6344]

Yang Aristosa yow fandom

[@yangaristosa6389]

Yo!

[@ghastlytales]

+Natsu Dragion +Yang Aristosa We just started a series on anime horror btw if you guys are interested, first episode is Urotsukidōji and we should have another episode out this week. - Calum

[@AtaMarKat]

First I heard of Sawney Bean was in Attack on Titan...

[@luckylevy4]

Lol same

[@ugnawnabhi4this]

yuuuup

[@torrinmcmillan1924]

Was about to say that funny thing is I live an hour away from the cave and have never heard of it haha

[@themightyaxolotl2798]

AYYYYYY

[@ryanbuckley6246]

I first heard about it from "the hills have eyes," after I watched it I was kinda scared so I Googled it to see if it was actually based on a true story. I honestly forgot about it until AOT reminded me about Sawney Bean

[@jeramahia123]

Your name is Sawney! And your name is Bean!

[@hoanhotho4588]

Attack on titan reference

[@kittys.equii_clips7135]

Wait! Attack on Titan made me learn?! OVER BREAK?!?!

[@evolutionkeso5338]

😭😭 NO FUCKING WAY SAMEEEE WTF ARE THE ODDS IM WATCHING AOT RN

[@iliesajunior3588]

Sawney and bean was the name of the two titans

[@alneal100]

They ate human livers....with a bottle of Chianti and some faver (and Sawney) Beans!

[@percyjackson6403]

Lol, I think it's 'fava' beans.

[@Saffrone221]

Thththtthththththhth

[@Lament-qm8ig]

Hannibal lector has got to be the least interesting movie cannibal ever. How can he compare to Thomas Brown Hewitt or Sheriff Hoyt or Lizard. BESIDES I THAUGHT THIS CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT SAWNEY BEAN.

[@mediaproof960]

@@Lament-qm8ig love horror movies so ill just say that Hannibal is probably the most colorful of em. If not the most vicious

[@Lament-qm8ig]

@@mediaproof960 I'm not saying I don't like hannibal lecter, because I do. I just think a lot of other horror movies about cannibals in family groups are at least more my thing. Wrong turn for example, and of course the sawney bean legend itself.

[@FallOutJosie]

hange you're a genius 😂

[@nourelnour9079]

And I thought watching aot was just for fun and feels I learnt history from it ARIGATO HANJI SENPAI

[@Patrickjonassaint]

Who else came from attack on Titan

[@zakychan8568]

No, I came from Hills Have Eyes

[@nonameroo]

Attack on Titan brought Stash here. RIP Sawney and Bean!

[@gir6506]

Hange cries in the distance

[@charliedaubney3810]

I'm here from attack on Titan 😂 sawney and bean Hanjis pet Titans 😂😂😂

[@raeleelol]

Same

[@Mystiphy]

same

[@gabrielsantana1798]

rip sawny and bean 😢

[@JessiCat1980]

Chaztronic Great anime!👍

[@Saranovickaaa98]

lol me too

[@bernadettecasey991]

My Mother Told me this Story at the age of 11 my Mom was born in England so this was a tale of horror in these parts I wasnt sure if i had believed her at the time and then 35 yrs later i see on Ghost Hunters International was the tale of the Bean Family

[@ghastlytales]

Since this video is still getting traction, I'll take the chance to shill our new podcast TALKING TILL DAWN: kzbin.info/door/ClPdifmc4PQt4w1kE2T-lA Talking Till Dawn features me and Mike deep diving into urban legends, true crimes, unsolved mysteries and general oddities. If you liked this, you'll love that. Guaranteed* *Guarantee not guaranteed

[@the9-2-5outlawdoestech9]

Where Wes Craven drew inspiration from this true story for the 1977 horror classic, The Hills Have Eyes, the original.

[@melissacummings8981]

This is an amazing video! You did such a good job. It's so professional like a TV documentary. The work you put into this, is obvious. And your ability to tell the story without cue cards, is so well done. I very much enjoyed this. 😁

[@ghastlytales]

Thanks so much, Melissa! Glad you enjoyed it, and we'll definitely have more like this on the way soon! :) As for remembering my lines... you're right I don't use cue cards, but what you don't see are the dozens of blundered takes where I messed up! :P -Martin

[@melissacummings8981]

+Ghastly Tales Haha I suppose not, but very well done on the finish product.

[@JessiCat1980]

Melissa Cummings I agree! Very impressive! If there's more stories done like this, I am going to really enjoy this channel.

[@boltzgames3248]

I came from the hills have eyes it's based off this

[@yortlebluzzgubbly3871]

There's been plenty of movies inspired by the story, but the fact that there's never been a movie DIRECTLY based upon it blows my mind. The closest we have is Sawney: Flesh of Man, but I wouldn't really say that counts.

[@kennyg5242]

I KNOW RIGHT!!! IT COMPLETELY BLOWS MY MINE AS WELL. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT EITHER. IT WOULD MAKE SUCH A KILLER MOVE TO. I WANT A REAL MOVIE THAT TAKES PLACE N THE SAME TIME PERIOD. WHICH IS ROUGHLY 1500.

[@yortlebluzzgubbly3871]

@@kennyg5242 Imma write it lol

[@kennyg5242]

@@yortlebluzzgubbly3871 GOOD!!! SOMEBODY NEEDS TO. I WISH U THE BEST OF LUCK MY GOOD SIR.👍

[@rjmb4687]

Sweeney todd perhaps

[@yortlebluzzgubbly3871]

@@rjmb4687 Sweeney Todd is it's own separate thing

[@makiroll218]

I found this from Attack on Titan! Sanwy and Bean!!

[@denismawe4394]

I first heard of him through the edinbourough dungeon.

[@johnnynogood8089]

I love Scotland Sawney Bean is an older tale. Leatherface was based off of lots of stories. Ed Gein only killed one person in his life he dug up dead bodies for his "art"

[@ghastlytales]

+Johnny NoGooD Exactly. If TCM only took influence from Gein, it would be a very different film. There's definitely a bit of influence from Sawney Bean and similar tales in there too, IMO. Cheers, Martin.

[@jeffreycoogan09]

@Ghastly Tales Your right.''The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'' 1974 was not only influenced by the (Ed Gein) case. In fact one of the other major influences was the 1968 black horror comedy cult film ''Spider Baby''. ''James Dickey'' the author of the novel (Deliverance). Had said that Deliverance was, in large part inspired by a actual case that occurred outside his home town Atlanta, Georgia. But to my knowledge, he had never cited the Sawney Bean family as having any influence on his1970 novel Deliverance.

[@jak4470]

Actually, he killed 2 people. The first was a barmaid named Mary Hogan, the second was Bernice Worden, the mother of Deputy Sheriff Frank Worden and the owner of a small store.

[@oougahersharr]

@@jeffreycoogan09 That's terrifying to me. I knew James' grandson. Enough said.

[@dildonicplague]

JAK is right.

[@Seamus322]

"Sawney Bean"- Good name for a restaurant...

[@gir6506]

And Hange's pet titans

[@kaministquiamahackamack336]

Long pig bar-b-cue

[@mediaproof960]

Or a coffee shop

[@singIeservingfriend]

Hills Have Eyes, yes. Wrong Turn, maybe. But Texas Chainsaw Massacre was based on Ed Gein...and The Hills Have Eyes was inspired by Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Still a great legend though

[@Mattipedersen]

Yup, I'm from Wisconsin and it's pretty much a well known fact that movies such as Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho were based on Ed Gein, of Plainfield, Wisconsin. As for The Hills Have Eyes, I do see a lot of claims online, stating that it was based on Sawney Bean. Unfortunately, I have seen absolutely nothing from Wes Craven himself, where he actually makes that statement. Therefore, it seems to be something that could have possibly been concocted by Horror Movie Fans, who have made a connection, themselves. However, I have NO Problem w/ changing my stance, if I can actually find a legitimate quote or interview by Wes Craven, regarding the Hills Have Eyes and Sawney Bean.

[@Lament-qm8ig]

Yes.that's what went through my head as soon as he said it.

[@Jcbrazy]

If you google “the hills have eyes true story”wes craven states that it was based off of sawney bean and his cannibal clan

[@dildonicplague]

Wrong turn was based off the Whitaker family that I met and lived a few doors down from in Odd, West Virginia.

[@Bambisgf77]

This is a terrific short film, entertaining & professional, excellent job!

[@ghastlytales]

Thanks so much, Felene. We have another one on a similar subject called Burke and Hare: Serial Killing for Science, and more on the way! -Martin

[@Dunlop77]

The Burke and hare ones really good

[@luckylevy4]

attack on Titan made me search for this

[@TheKulu42]

H.P. Lovecraft's story "The Lurking Fear" seems very much like the Sawney Bean tale with its inbreeding ,degeneration and cannibalism.

[@devinmorse9112]

Ditto for HPL's The Rats in the Walls, with its cavernous chamber of cannibal carnage.

[@sidclark1953]

First read about Sawney Bean in Jim Osborne's DOA Comics back in 1976. One of my heroes. GG Allin was a fitting offspring to carry on the noble tradition.

[@SHACOBES123]

Rest in Piss. Make rock and roll dangerous again 🤘

[@williamg2826]

I first heard about the Bean family from my Scottish Grandma. It's a very true story and they were a clan. They lived for many generations, living off passersby travelers. I was also told that some survived.

[@williamg2826]

@The Phantom where are you from Phantom of the BS? OR U just a phantom coward TURD?

[@thehappycamper7360]

Who the hell was passing by that often enough to feed “generations” 😂

[@annt.7785]

I don't know why it's so hard for people to believe it's true. Even when you read the bible, God opposed cannibalism, which implies there were cannibals that existed.

[@jordan3405]

There were many cannibals in the lowlanda. They often ran Inns. In the night they would eat you.

[@tarampryce1372]

​@jordan3405 ugh that's terrible

[@saaaneslol4156]

OOOOOOH,now I know the hole story behind Hanji's Titans!

[@HungryBear420]

My mothers side of the family is Beans. I've heard this story after a family tree was made. Crazy to think about.

[@moonpie175]

Yeah

[@HungryBear420]

@Starr Child no but our lineage comes from the Scotland area. And if your looking up beans in Scotland this story is bound to pop up

[@HungryBear420]

@Starr Child I'm from the US. I don't know where exactly our family comes from in Scotland. My aunt has all the information in her family tree records. I would have to go over all of that with her

[@NoobFish23]

11:10 Sorry, but no. Ed Gein was the original Leather Face. He actual had a skin suit.

[@beanhead2013]

That line was obviously meant in jest, it's a reference to the two being cannibals

[@beanhead2013]

Great little documentary dude !!

[@onniesmusicchannel5858]

This was in the 17th century before ed gein was ever even thought of

[@LordBete]

This was the 17th century, ever so slightly before Ed’s time. Either you’re genuinely slow or you’re one of Sawney’s descendants

[@Nightman221k]

That is a really interesting legend, though I'm certain that at least part of it is a tall tale where the story gets more and more elaborate as it's told. Still incredibly interesting though, pretty fucking creepy to imagine a person regressing like that in the era of civilized society..

[@ghastlytales]

+Nightman221k Thanks for watching dude. I agree, its amazing how quickly society breaks down in the right circumstances. We arent as far from animals as many like to feel we are... - Calum

[@simongoundry6094]

This Ghastly tales documentary is the definitive telling of the story - well done guys! The Sawney Bean legend has spooked me ever since I saw waxworks of the Bean clan at the Edinburgh Wax museum but I loved hearing this tale again and how it influenced so many pop horror icons today. Bring on the next Ghastly Tales of Scotland!

[@BrandonBuckingham]

this is a damn good video

[@bipoc-alypesproductions198]

i swear i saw nessy in the water in the beginning of this video

[@jaelie8398]

Kjrar Mutt Like at 0:50?

[@ghostfacescream4768]

Kjrar Mutt Who is nessy?

[@evanfuzz]

Danielle Bregoli Loch ness monster, i guess.

[@billaryclinton6269]

Evan Fuzz yeah

[@katbeanss828]

Nessy is nowhere near there, nessy is at Loch Ness near inverness, a four hour drive from there

[@El1society]

Watching this straight after watching 'the hills have eyes' lol

[@50percentGrey]

I'm sure that the characters Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett were inspired from Sawney Bean and his lover as well.

[@kerriewilson5185]

Sean Lightowler no they weren't they were real people

[@TheMinxy76]

@@kerriewilson5185 He did say the word "character" hinting that Sweeney Todd was a made up figure

[@oougahersharr]

Actually, there is historical documentation concerning Mrs. Lovett, a handful of murders by a barber near St. Dunstan's church, and the suspected charge of cannibalism. Mrs. Lovett (a baker living across the street from the barber) died of arsenic poison/ suicide in jail awaiting her trial. "Sweeney" was a barber who robbed patrons. And at the time, he couldn't be prosecuted if his victim didn't come forward, so he'd murder his victims. There was no family, judge, or revenge plot, just greed. He was hanged until dead.

[@billgeezeriommi]

Ed Gein was the main inspiration for Leatherface although I could definitely see how this story also inspired Texas Chainsaw Massacre

[@alfiesolomons791]

Sawnys ancestor are still alive. Mr Bean

[@MrJJr-lw9zq]

Most people here cuz of attack on titan but me hills have eyes and maybe wrong turn

[@themightyaxolotl2798]

SnK anyone?

[@ryanbuckley6246]

*raises hand slowly *

[@ZONE-fj8ly]

Same here and I even thought that it was just a made up story in SnK made by the producers.

[@johnf.kennedy2053]

SnK?

[@shenahpark1011]

John F. Kennedy shingeki no kyojin(attack on titan)

[@MegaCodgod99]

Metal.

[@H4Di]

Yasss queeen

[@galelascala105]

I was on Girvan beach a few years ago. It's beautiful.

[@codypitts6326]

What the hell is hanji why is everyone talking about it

[@SaxaInuzuka_777]

Hanji is a character from a popular anime called Attack On Titan. She is a member of the Scout Regiment and named two captured Titans "Sawny" and "Bean". Titans eat people, and the author decided to have Hanji give the captured Titans those names most likely because of Alexander Sawny Bean and his cannibalistic family

[@Isosceles12345]

Amazing video, I have a test on this and this is gonna help me pass.

[@lexigrimhaive]

That accent? Um, yes please. Unf.

[@knoxdampier]

Never heard of this legend but now I must read up on it. Thank you for this interesting tale.

[@scr34mss]

Just to think someone could be doing this in today’s date and we would have NO idea ....

[@Gyarren]

Fascinating! Honestly, they should give you your own documentary show. Your videos are more well done than a lot of TV documentaries I've seen. I wouldn't mind seeing this drawn out into an hour long documentary on History Channel.

[@KingFluffs]

There's no proof of Sawney Bean even existing sadly. I do love the tales of them pickling travellers in the high tide though.

[@tt8807]

Never heard of this story until just now. Probably bc I’m a huge history nerd & I go off facts. It’s odd to me that there is documentation that this Sawny Bean existed but there is no documentation of his family/clan were executed. You just KNOW that this clan would have been paraded around & written about in history books! I’m sure he was a highway robber, but the rest is super sketchy! But a great tale to freak the kiddies out around a campfire 🔥🍖🦴😝 Loved how over dramatic ya told it too😆💜✌🏼

[@rising_phoenix8159]

Fascinating story Whether it's fact or fiction. There is a similar family in Australia called the "Colts" in New South Wales..... Without the cannibalism and robberies though.

[@JasonBlackYT1]

Very, very cool story! Can't believe I've never heard this legend before, being from Northern Ireland and very in touch with my Ulster Scots roots! I love talking about films in my videos in general, but horror always has a special place for me as well. Been subscribed for a long time and always love checking out the next Ghastly Tale!!

[@ghastlytales]

Yeah, it's such a great story. I remember my mother telling me a slightly censored version when I was very young, so I sort of grew up with Sawney Bean as a bogeyman. These tales probably had their part in giving me a love for horror today. Was weird actually being in the cave (even though it's probably just a myth), it's like actually visiting a setting in a book that you've always assumed to be fictional. It's funny what a difference some water makes in terms of how folklore travels or doesn't; this location is actually very very close to NI as the crow flies!

[@JasonBlackYT1]

+Ghastly Tales I'd love this story to be given a good treatment for a film, I think if handled properly it would be a hell of a slasher/cannibal movie! Yes there is no doubt that there is a historical link between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Obviously, the story I mostly heard growing up was that of Finn McCool, a rather more tame story than that of Sawney Bean, but perhaps there is a more horrific version I've never heard?

[@marianne2415]

really good and informative video

[@ghastlytales]

Thanks Marianne! If you liked this, you should check out our follow up video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4CQampmitOVpdE Cheers! -Martin

[@Tony-hx2fj]

Martin, please read some detective mystery audiobooks.

[@skypieper]

Love that dog swimming in the water at the beginning, made me double take lol.

[@fgaze72]

culzean castle wasn't built until the late 18th century. it's pictured in the illustration just when you say 'welcome to the 15th century'. sorry, it's not important at all, but it bothered me lol

[@ryanbrown8109]

This has been one of my favourites since a school trip in the 90s , your own spin on this is nothing less than brilliant 👌🏼, much love from a Fellow Scotsman 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@ianbeddowes5362]

Was Mr Bean the descendant of a member of the family who got away?

[@ultra_axe7812]

Who else came here after watching dankulas video?

[@wannabehalf-bloods2806]

*I’m totally not from Attack on Titan.*

[@askmomwithjennifer]

Martin has such an enchanting voice. His narrating adds layers of depth and excitement to the tale. The scenery is heart stopping. Add historical images, entrancing story-telling and down right skin crawling details I am once again unable to turn away. I want more. Please don't stop! I have burned though the podcasts and am well on my way through the Ghastly Tales archives.

[@ghastlytales]

Wow, thanks so much! :) Don't worry, there will be more where these came from: I'm hoping Calum and I will be able to get another Ghastly Tales of Scotland together before the sping. I'm toying with doing one on Am Fear Liath Mòr (Google it!), and I'll also be getting back to narrating horror stories veeery soon! Cheers, Martin.

[@askmomwithjennifer]

Ghastly Tales How exciting! How can I be a part of it?!

[@hogmouthfishingcharters4546]

0:5 seconds in to the film. As he turns. On the left side of the screen in the water????

[@MrMalformedllama]

As an American, hearing a Scottish accent is soothing. It's rare here in California but there's something about Scottish accents being relaxing haha

[@Notgotaclue]

Except this isnt a Ayrshire accent its more Edinbrugh

[@cryptohunt2552]

Still got my accent after 25 years if living in Canada, just a wee bit diluted!

[@jamescampbell39]

rather Lovecraftian IE the lurking fear

[@edwardneilloftheclanmacnei7057]

I like to think that Ruari the Turbulent also known as the last of the Vikings along with the rest of the MacNeill of Barra clan fought a bloody fight against the Sawney Bean clan and triumphant, and took all the stolen treasure to decorate Kisimul Castle

[@sherridelorme4815]

I’m Native American! I love your accent!

[@annychest718]

I think that's what you get for letting the Druids in.

[@legneil]

The guy killed his wife and made a Tale about it.

[@zaria7085]

YOOO I THOUGHT SAWNEY BEAN WAS ONLY ON ATTACK ON TITAN-

[@Oksskuuy]

Siapa kesini gara gara korea reomit. Bilang hadirr

[@arlenecarson957]

I learnt of sawney bean from Edinburgh Dungeons. I thought it was fake. I also thought they were saying soggy bean. im stupid 🐒💩.

[@Rolandbadger]

I've heard versions of the legend of Sawney Bean before. The biggest problem is the lack of documentation or records that should have existed regarding the case. Theres not even a single personal letter that I am aware of from the time period that deals with the event. Also, dynamiting the cave entrance isn't possible. Dynamite was invented in the late 19th century. Black powder could have been used...But it would have required a considerable amount of powder to blast a cave of the size the story implies. Still, its a great story, and definitely worth retelling.

[@ghastlytales]

Bingo. It's a legend. An awesome one, and one that might indeed be based on a piecemeal selection of different true incidents, but a legend nonetheless. -Martin

[@Notgotaclue]

Its a old wifes tale

[@mariamerrill5875]

You narrated this beautifully so glad I found your channel.

[@maurinesmith552]

I heard the name Sawney Bean in a excellent book I'm reading...The Ice Twins. It's about a couple who move to a remote part of Scotland and their dog is named Sawney Bean.

[@JohnStanworth]

Ed Gein is the original Leatherface.

[@carolmayhardie]

Being a Scot I knew of the story quite early on in life. I wonder if there is a grain of truth in it, although it hadn't occurred to me that it was a made up story by an Englishman

[@nadinecollins4443]

I am from Girvan born and raised my family have lived here for hundreds of year I was told the story of saw eh bean when I was wee I was told the cave is north of balantrae and I closed off there's also another story related to the beans that one of there daughters survived and fled to Girvan and had a family but eventually the locals found out and hanged her from a tree on dalrymple street people have looked for the tree but I think it was cut down years ago I think it's true to some degree the story

[@ghastlytales]

Hi Nadine, yes I had heard the story of the "hairy tree" in Girvan. It's an interesting story, definitely. As you say, I think it was cut down years ago, or we would have tried to include it in this video. You are right, the cave is just north of Ballantrae. As you head up the A77 towards Lendalfoot, there's a stopping place for lorries on the left. If you stop there and step over the barrier, there's a faint path leading down the cliffside that takes you to the cave. The entrance is quite well hidden and hard to reach over the boulders (as you can see in the video) but not completely closed off if you're determined to get in. The cave we filmed at was the same one as featured on Coast and other documentaries as Sawney's cave, but there are a few others along that stretch of coast that also make that claim. -Martin

[@nadinecollins4443]

Ghastly Tales yes there's a cave past Stranraer they say is Sawneys I think there's many in the area. have they ever searched it properly also the cave Robert the Bruce saw the spider is in the area maybe there's no records because the Catholic Church covered it up because they actually thought they were demons .i have searched dalrymple street many times for the tree but there's only 1 tree near dalrymple street it was cut down years ago it was behind the bank of Scotland it was a massive chestnut tree with fungus al over it kids keep climbing it for the concors and were failing of and breaking there legs and arms as if it were cursed good video i wish there was more historical records of this case but it was probably covered up by the nobles

[@kirstymckenzie8989]

Do a story about North Berwick witch trials. A town called tranent in East Lothian I'm sure that's where they were burned. Please.

[@ghastlytales]

That's a great suggestion. Recently we've been doing this kinda stuff in podcast form, rather than video. It's called Talking Till Dawn. The North Berwick Witch Trials would be a perfect episode. We might do that. I'll add it to the list. Cheers!

[@bradbenally7149]

.... interesting... thanks for the info 👏

[@sethkang4410]

welp thanks to attack on titan i learned some history. lmfao

[@alexandercarder2281]

I’m Subscribed now

[@luishenrique6093]

aot anyone?

[@emilyxd8232]

I live here in Scotland and anything great tale is Snibs, my mum and her sisters would see him coming in or out his cave he didn't want any help so people would put food in bins and that was how they helped him he sadly died .

[@ghastlytales]

Cheers Emily, I hadn't heard about him! I will check it out! -Martin

[@oougahersharr]

Even though I knew this tale from my own sporadic research, I was still struck by the idea that the authorities didn't blame the unnamed husband for his wife's death but believed him that it was a group of cannibals in the mountains.

[@ghastlytales]

People were more trusting before serial killer documentaries haha - Calum

[@arqm5555]

I think we all know why we’re here

[@stimorolish]

Dynamite was invented about 130 years ago, not at the time of Sawney bean, ant Ed Gein 1930 Wisconsin are the man behind the story of leather face. otherwise great video =)

[@El1society]

carl thunqvist he said he went off script and noticed the mistake during editing

[@dxfan18]

Loved this video. Apparently they took it a step further in the remake of The Hills Have Eyes and in the comics/books accompanying it, saying the mutants were descended from Sawney Bean himself. I think I remember one of his daughters was supposed to have fled the clan only to be hanged from a tree she planted years later (some say she had a child at the time) when the villagers learned who she was, or at least one of the clan wasn't accounted for when they were captured.

[@theo9952]

I don't know.. Just something Scottish mothers used to frighten little children with, maybe ? Like "comm o-onn, eat up yer nice Hagis or Sawney Bean will comm and eat ye up !" Kerrie Wilson oh come on, it is just a joke ! There, I corrected it !

[@kerriewilson5185]

theo9952 I don't know what Scottish people you've talked to but I can assure you we say up the same as everyone else not op

[@WastelandSeven]

I don't know, but, I have to wonder if this story was the inspiration as well for HP Lovecraft's The Lurking Fear. Is it possibly true? Yes. Though this sort of thing only usually happens during famines and sieges. (there was even cannibalism at the end of WWII in some parts of Europe) And if you look at Grimm's Fairy Tales cannibalism is a running theme. And those folk tales had basis in fact. Is it possible an insane couple would start eating their victims, yes. it is. Look at Jeffrey Dahmer in the US you can see there is that level of crazy. In fact if you google cannibal killers you'll find more than one documented case. And if the kids were raised to think that is normal, yeah, I can see it happen. Does that mean it did happen? Without evidence its impossible to say. But, it does make for a good tale.

[@ghastlytales]

Yeah, there definitely would have been cases of cannibalism during famine in medieval Scotland, and serial killers have been around far, far longer than people tend to suppose. I think the story of this specific clan living in that specific place, finally having to be subjugated by an army and mass executed in Edinburgh, is just a legend. But I think the legend probably draws on numerous true events (from even earlier times) that are lost to history today. It's like one of those urban myths you used to hear about: let's say, a couple making out in a car near where a hook-handed lunatic has escaped from an asylum, and they hear a noise and drive off and later find a hook attached to the back of the car. The specific events are fiction, but there are real cases of serial killers attacking youngsters at make-out spots (Zodiac, etc.), which probably inspired and fueled the spread of the legend. In times before widespread literacy, it's conceivable that an orally-told legend would out-survive the true facts that first suggested it. By the way, The Lurking Fear is a fantastic story! It would not surprise me if it was partly inspired by Sawney Bean. Cheers, Martin

[@crimsontheworld772]

Hmm... sounds a bit familiar

[@RLevi-yd5xq]

0:48 Is that the fucking Loch Ness Monster? WTF is that?

[@ghastlytales]

It *is* Scotland, but it isn't the Loch Ness monster. 😉. It was a dog swimming with a stick in its mouth.

[@toskulite7517]

Genuinely thought that this was professional, like from a complete documentary series thing. Amazing work. Also, I'm totally subscribing, thank you for all this information! :)

[@chaoticspear]

Great video, nice narration and really beautiful cinematogoraphy. Thanks!

[@crystalastratton1456]

Reading the publication with flickering candle was very effective! And this short video perfectly demonstrates how spooky tales should be told!

[@bombardier666]

It’s been said that this story is a retelling of the cannibal Christie Cleek of which there are several historical references going back. It was the tale of a man who pulled travelers from horseback using a hook on a wooden pole, in some mountain area in Scotland. This story seems to be older and with more references.

[@Dunlop77]

Iv no heard of that one IL need to look up sounds gid

[@iasimov5960]

Dynamite, sir? In the 16th century, sir?

[@kayleighturner9883]

This documentary was very interesting.I personally find the story of Sawney Bean very fascinating.Thank you for making this

[@morpheusmurphy3921]

umm i just found out who this was because i was told i had a Scottish ancestor from 500 or so yrs ago. my grand mother just died, we knew we were mostly romani, but could never get a name on this ancestor. i havent told my mother this, dunno if i will but there is an Alexander bean, a worn letter with some stuff ill share if mom allows it. from someone and a child adopted by some other bean clan that mentions separated from other siblings. and back married into some roma... well this was an interesting night..i somehow hope they were quiet for another reason and not this and the name is coincidence along with adoption... is it bad that bi hope if it was this person the victims were exaggerated? well interesting find lol

[@joedredd1168]

I always loved this horrific tale, it lights the fires of imagination and terror in the soul.

[@TimZoet]

At 00:48 -- so nobody is gonna talk about the Loch Ness monster in the background? Allrighty

[@dylangoomda9574]

The second capture seems to make more sense based on the fact that there are no documents that detail the execution. However, if King James I ordered the cave destroyed with gunpowder, skeletal fragments of the Bean Clan could be found in that same spot if excavated.

[@dennetlane2870]

Ice to finally put a face to the voice 😅 I've been listening to you on Talking Till Dawn since the beginning but now I have these videos to go through too. Great stuff. You're an amazing story teller.