GWYN THOMAS

The countryside surrounding Blaenau Ffestiniog is Professor Gwyn Thomas' magical backyard and the backdrop for a number of classic Welsh tales such as Blodeuwedd. This historic landscape sets the scene as he joins Iolo Williams to walk and talk.

The highly-respected bard and literary figure Emeritus Professor Gwyn Thomas has been fascinated by ancient Welsh tales since his childhood and takes Iolo on a location tour of some of the nation's great stories from ancient times.

Despite his own passion for local folklore, Gwyn admits that he sometimes has trouble convincing his own family to take an interest. “My daughter wasn't half as impressed when I took her to see the stone,” he remarks. “She asked why I was making so much fuss about a stone with a hole in it!

“I couldn’t dream of living anywhere without slates or mountains close by,” continues Gwyn. “I'm passionate about wildlife and walking and believe there are whispers of ancient times in these hills. The area is home to many age-old tales and it's perfectly natural for me to feel at home in this environment.”