Christie-Cleek

Christie Cleek (or o'-the-Cleek, of-the-Cleek, Chwsten Cleek or Criste Cleik) was a legendary Scottish cannibal reported to have used his skills as a butcher to slaughter people. He is said to have lived during a severe famine in the fourteenth century. His story shares some similarities with the better-known legend of Sawney Bean, but it is older.

Folklore According to folklore, his real name was Andrew Christie, a butcher from Perth. Christie joined a group of scavengers in the foothills of the Grampians. When one of the party died of starvation, Christie butchered the corpse to provide food for his companions.

The group developed a taste for human flesh as, under Christie's leadership, they began to ambush travellers in the passes of the Grampians, feeding on their bodies and those of their horses. It is alleged that before attacking, Christie would haul his victims from their mounts with a hook on a rod. Thirty riders apparently died at Christie's hands.

Comparison with Sawney Bean Christie's story shares some similarities with the legend of Sawney Bean.