Finding Merlin: The Truth Behind The Legend is a 2007 non-fiction book by Scottish advocate Adam Ardrey. In the book, Ardrey puts forward the theory that the legendary figure Merlin was in fact a historical Scottish druid, politician, and scholar.
Key claims of the book:
- Merlin was born around 540 CE in Cadzow (modern-day Hamilton, Scotland).
- He died circa 618 CE in Drumelzier, near Dunipace, Scotland.
- One of Merlin's main antagonists was Saint Mungo (also known as Saint Kentigern).
- The book identifies specific locations associated with Merlin's birth, life, death, and burial, as well as figures surrounding him, including his friend King Arthur.
Publication details:
- Author: Adam Ardrey
- Published: 2007
- ISBN: 9781845962487
- Also published under ISBN 9781590200988 (Overlook Press, 2008)
The book has been categorized as a work of historical revisionism regarding Arthurian legend, attempting to ground the myth of Merlin in a specific Scottish historical and geographical context. It is listed among works based on Arthurian legends in encyclopedic references.
