Haunted Castles — Scotland Sorted by Name
Ghost sightings have been reported in many castles and manor houses. Few old castles do not boast the shade of a jilted lover tumbling from the battlements, a ghostly White Lady, a demonic Monk who vanishes if challenged, a poltergeist, a headless phantom, a spectral coach and horses or disembodied wailing. An especially common theme is that of a victim walled up alive within the castle, whose ghost haunts the castle for centuries afterwards, until the victim's body is found and properly buried. Some stories tend to be regional — spectral pipers on the ramparts of Scottish castles or demonic Black Dogs known as Shucks in the South of England.
Stories of supernatural omens are attached to many castles and the families that own them, generally warning of a forthcoming death in the family, sometimes specifically the lord, chatelain or clan chief. The omen typically takes the form of an unusual animal such as a white deer, a white owl, or a white fox.
In Scotland over a dozen castles claim the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots. In England several castles claim royal ghosts including the Tower of London, Windsor Castle and Berkeley Castle. Many of the best stories have historical events underpinning them: often an execution or a murder, with supporting detail such as names and dates. There are also a smaller number of reported supernatural creatures that inhabit castles: fairies, banshees and goblins; giants and vampires, and elemental sprites. There are also a large number of ancient legends and curses associated with castles.
Use the filters below to select hauntings by country, type, or quality.
Filter & Sort
209 hauntings found
Abergeldie Castle
Kittie was burnt as a witch at the top of a nearby hill. Her ghost haunts the castle and the surrounding land.
Ackergill Tower
The castle is haunted by the ghost of Helen Gunn. Helen was kidnapped by one of the Keith family who brought her back to Ackergill Tower. She threw herself from the battlements of the tower rather than submit to her captor.
Airlie Castle
This harbinger of doom takes the form of a ram that walks around the gardens prior to disaster. A drumming sound is also reported to herald a death in the family.
Airth Castle
Several ghosts frequent the building, currently a hotel. A spectral dog is felt as it tries to bite ankles, two children and their nanny (all of whom died in a fire) still return from the grave, and finally the cries and screams of a maid who was attacked by an enraged master can be heard late at night.
Aldourie Castle
The castle is haunted by a ghost known as the Gray Lady.
Ardvreck Castle
A tall, lean ghost can only be seen at the castle from a distance
Ardvreck Castle
This woman, famed for her meddling and interfering, has found it difficult to give up her former position.
Ardvreck Castle
According to legend the Devil himself assisted in the construction of the castle
Ashintully Castle
Two spirits, called Crooked Davie & Green Jane, haunt the castle grounds.
Ashintully Castle
A tinker was found trespassing on the castle demesne and hanged. His ghost is now seen around the trees near where he died.ÿ
Ashintully Castle
The sound of screaming is heard at the castle
Balcomie Castle
Locked in an oubliette and forgotten about, this young man (some say a child) starved to death. He can be seen around the castle, and is sometimes heard whistling - the crime for which he was cast into the oubliette.
Baldoon Castle,
In the seventeenth century Janet, a young woman, was forced by her parents to abandon the man she loved, and marry David Dunbar. She stabbed him on her wedding night. He survived, but she died shortly afterward. Her wild ghost returns on the anniversary of her wedding to roam the castle dressed in white, blood-spattered clothes but is most often seen on the anniversary of her death. Her ghost became the subject of a novel by Sir Walter Scott - "The Bride of Lammermuir".
Balgonie Castle
Green Jeannie, a florescent ghost, drifts through the older parts of the castle after dusk.
Balgonie Castle
The ghost of a soldier with a musket is seen in the castle courtyard.
Ballindalloch Castle
The castle is haunted by a former lord, seen walking towards his wine cellar.
Ballindalloch Castle
The castle is haunted by two female ghosts, each of which keeps to her own part of the castle
Balmoral Castle
John Brown was a close friend of Queen Victoria. His ghost still haunts the castle.
Balnagowan (or Balnagown) Castle
Andrew terrorised the neighbourhood, raping local women and murdering locals men. They decided to act against the laird. They stormed his castle and hanging him by the neck from the highest window. Now his ghost remains within the walls of the castle, continuing to harasses visiting women.
Balnagowan (or Balnagown) Castle
The ghost of a young green-eyed girl smiles fondly at passers-by in the castle.
Barcaldine Castle
A blue lady is said to appear and listen to any music played on site.
Barcaldine Castle
Donald Campbell was murdered on the castle grounds, and his ghost has been seen at the castle. It is believed that he is wandering in search of his killer. The same ghost briefly appeared after death at Inverawe House. Donald's ghost is said to be full of loathing and hate.
Barnbougle Castle
This dog accompanied his master to the Crusades. Spectral howling was first heard at the castle when his owner died on the battlefield, and is heard again prior to death of the laird of the castle.
Barrogill (or Barrowgill) Castle, aka Castle of Me
Eloping from home to marry a member of the working classes, Lady Fanny's family tracked her down and brought her home - she was killed jumping out of a tower window while trying to escape again.
Bedlay Castle
Just as likely to be heard stomping around as he is to be seen, the Bishop's ghost is said to date back almost seven hundred years, from when he was discovered floating face down in a large pond that was on the site.
Blackness Castle
This vexed spirit chased a female witness out of the castle during a sightseeing tour. Banging sounds have also been reported, with no source ever being found.
Borthwick Castle
Mary Queen of Scots called at the castle after her marriage (on 15 May 1567) to the Earl of Bothwell. The castle was besieged and she escaped by disguising herself as a page boy. After her death an apparition of Mary, dressed as a page boy, was seen at the castle and she returns every year.
Braemar Castle
A newly married lord went hunting early one morning without informing his recent bride. Convinced that he must have abandoned her, she leapt off the battlements to her death. Her ghost now appears to others, not wanting them to make the same mistake.
Brahan Castle, former site of
Before being boiled alive in a cauldron of tar, a local soothsayer predicted the downfall of the family that owned the castle.ÿ
Brodick Castle
In 1700 a woman with the plague was quaranteened - confined alone in the castle, where she starved to death. Ever since, the older part of the castlehas been haunted by a "Grey Lady"
Brodick Castle
The ghost of a man in a green jacket haunts the library
Brodick Castle
a White Deer is seen in the grounds of the castle whenever a chief of the Hamilton clan is close to death. The white deer appeared twice in the twentieth century, both times coinciding with the death of the head of the Hamilton Family.
Brodie Castle
The night that Brodie of Brodie died on 20 September 1889 hundreds of miles away in Switzerland, the sounds of moaning and loud moving noises could be heard coming from his locked office in the castle.
Buchanan Castle
Strange whisperings and other sounds are heard at this castle.
Carbisdale Castle
A Lady in white haunts the castle, thought to be the ghost of the Duchess Blair.
Carbisdale Castle
The castle is haunted by a piper
Cardoness Castle
After a curse was placed on the castle three owners went bankrupt. The forth and his family were drowned in the nearby loch when the ice cracked while they skated on it.
Careston Castle
Jock Barefut was hanged for stealing a branch from the laird's favourite tree. His ghost is sometimes seen dangling from trees in the neighbourhood, and sometimes seen running through the castle.
Carleton Castle (ruins)
The source of this screaming is unknown, but it might be the ghost of one of the first seven wives of a mad lord of the castle, who pushed them in turn off a cliff to their deaths. It might also be his ghost, as his eighth wife managed to push him first.
Castle Cary
Lizzie Baillie ran away from her parents after falling in love with a young laird from the Lennox. The shock of this killed her father as the laird was a member of the Graham family, who had participated in burning the castle. Lizzie's ghost returns to her father's grave out of respect.ÿ
Castle Cary
The ghost of Sir William Baillie haunts the castle.
Cawdor Castle
The castle became part of the Campbell empire when Muriel Calder, heiress to the castle, was kidnapped at the age of 12 and married to the Earl of Argyll's son, Sir John Campbell in 1511. A ghost wearing a blue velvet dress has been reported in the castle and she is believed to be the ghost of Muriel Calder.
Cawdor Castle
A girl was caught by her father while hugging her lover. The father, the lord of the castle, stringly disapproved. He ordered that her hands be severed so that she could never hug again.
Cessnock Castle
The ghost of Knox walks around the castle grounds, quoting religious texts,
Claypotts Castle
The castle is haunted by a "White Lady" seen at a window in the castle each 29 May. She is reputed to be the ghost of Marion Ogilvie, the mistress of Cardinal Beaton who was murdered in St Andrews on 29 May 1546.
Claypotts Castle
Appearing upset, the ghost of a white woman frantically waves from a high window once every year. In life she was a mistress of Cardinal Beaton.
Cloncaird Castle
This unknown figure blocks the stairway, vanishing if approached.
Closeburn Castle
Prior to death in the Kirkpatrick family. Swans once brought peace and happiness here, until one was killed by a family member. Now, family death is heralded when a swan appears with a red-stained breast.
Colinsburgh Castle
Killed during the battle of Killiecrankie in the Late seventeenth century, Dundee appeared to Lord Balcarres shortly after his death. Edinburgh Castle also claims this event for itself.
Comlongon Castle Hotel
This lady, now said to have a green hue, jumped from the tower rather than spend any more time with her husband.
Corgaff Castle
The family and servants here where once caught up in a fire and burnt alive. The ghosts of all twenty-seven people still haunt the castle, and can periodically be heard screaming.
Coroghon Castle
The castle ruins are haunted by the ghost of a female prisoner once held in the castle by its laird.
Cortachy Castle
Caught having an affair with the wife of the castle's owner, a drummer was placed in his own drum and rolled out from a tower. On the verge of dying he cursed all future generations who would live at the castle. His ghostly drum can be heard beating before a death in the family.
Craighouse Castle
Seen peering out of the ruins, this is the ghost of a grey haired old man thought to have been involved in the building of the castle.
Craigievar Castle
A member of the Gordon family was murdered by Sir John Forbes who forced him out of a high (seventh storey) window at sword point. His ghost now haunts the Blue Room at the castle
Craigievar Castle
The ghost of a fiddler appears only to people named Forbes.
Craignethan Castle
Mary Queen of Scots is said to have spent the night there before the Battle of Langside. Her headless ghost now haunts the castle.
Craignethan Castle
A headless woman reported in the castle grounds is said to be the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots.
Craignethan Castle
Several visitors to the castle have followed a figure dressed in historical costume, thinking it was leading the way to a pageant, only to see the figure disappearing before their eyes.
Crathes Castle
The ghost of a green woman appears and moves across a room in the castle to pick up a phantom child located in the fireplace before vanishing.
Crichton Castle
A ghostly horse rider enters the building though its original gate, now walled up.
Cromarty House
A number of spectres frequent the site of the old castle that stood here, including a rabbit that turns into smoke, a small bearded pixie-man, and the ghostly noise of heavy pacing.
Culcreach (or Culcreuch) Castle
The head of a spectral boar on a plate floats around the castle battlements
Culcreach (or Culcreuch) Castle
The one time mistress of a laird of The clan Buchanan held her lover here as he died in what is now The Chinese Bird room, playing The harp as he died. On The verge of sleep, people continue to hear The sounds of a ghostly harp.
Culcreach (or Culcreuch) Castle
A grey ghost pushes past people in the castle corridors.
Culzean Castle
Whenever one of the Kennedy family is about to get married a ghostly piper appears and pipes in the castle grounds. He also plays on stormy nights, his music mixed in with the howling wind and crashing waves.
Culzean Castle
The ghostly cries of someone being tortured is sometimes heard at the castle
Culzean Castle
The ghost of a young woman in a ballgown appears from time to time, but no-one knows who she was in life.
Culzean Castle
Heard on windy nights, the piping of a long dead piper now haunts the castle.
Dean Castle
On 18 August 1745 a female servant in the building once saw the decapitated head of William Boyd, 4th Earl of Kilmarnock, her master, roll across the floor in front of her, even though he was still alive and well in another part of the building. Soon afterwards the earl joined the unsuccessful '45 Jacobite uprising. He was was beheaded in the Tower of London on 18 August 1746, exactly a year after the premonition.
Delgatie Castle
A ghostly woman with vivid red hair takes delight in making people at the castle jump. During the Second World War an entire detachment of troops billeted there fled the castle in bare feet after being confronted by the ghostly apparition
Donnington Castle
A spectral trooper stands by the remaining castle gatehouse, vanishing soon after being seen.ÿ
Donnington Castle
A spectral white dog haunts the hill on which the castle stands, bounding towards the nearby woods where it disappears.
Drumlanrig Castle
The ghost of Lady Anne Douglas walks the castle, carrying her severed head
Drumlanrig Castle
The ghost of little girl has been seen in a castle bedroom, floating a few feet off the floor
Drumlanrig Castle
This yellow monkey has been seen several times, though only recently.recognised as being a monkey.
Duart Castle
Prior to a death in the MacLean family a decapitated figure on horseback is seen. The figure is reputed to be the ghost of a man executed by the MacLean family.
Duchal Castle (no longer standing)
The ghost of an evil monk haunts the castle, longing to rejoin the order from which he was expelled.
Dunbar Castle
The ghost of the Patrick, ninth Earl of Dunbar, haunts the ruins of Dunbar castle
Dunbar Castle
The sound of spectral bagpipes can be heard coming from the empty castle ramparts.
Dunbarre Castle
This castle is said to be the former base of Modred (or Mordred), the nephew of King Arthur. He was killed when the fort was overrun by Scots and Picts. Guinevere may have also been killed here, and is reportedly buried at nearby Meigle.
Dundonald castle
A three metre tall man, with red glowing eyes and long grey hair that covers his body has been seen near the castle.
Dunnottar Castle
Sounds of ghostly crying and screaming in agony come from the castle ruins at night.
Dunnottar Castle
The ghost of this uniformed soldier can be been seen watching over the sea.
Dunphail Castle
These heads belong to a small party who tried to break in and feed the starving besieged defenders of the castle; they were discovered and decapitated by their enemies.
Dunrobin Castle
the daughter of the 14th Earl of Sutherland who was imprisoned by her father to stop her from marrying someone he regarded as unsuitable. She tried to escape down a rope from an upstairs room but fell to her death. The ghost which haunts the upper floors of the castle is reputed to be hers
Duns Castle
Alexander Hay was killed at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. His ghost now haunts Duns Castle.
Duns Castle
The ghost of a teenage soldier haunts the castle building that was once his barracks.
Dunstaffgne (or Dunstaffnage) Castle
The Glaistig is a fairy-like entity attached to the Campbell nobility. She bursts into song, cheers when good news is to be heard, and cries when bad news is to be heard. The Glaistig has not been heard since the castle burnt down.
Duntrune (or Duntroon) Castle
The castle withstood assaults by Coll McDonnell (Coll Ciotach) or of his son, Sir Alexander. McDonnell sent forward his piper in disguise to gain admission to the castle and report how best it might be attacked. The piper's disguise was penetrated and he was shut up in an upper room, but not untill he had had time to observe that the gateway was so constructed as to render attack disastrous without the aid of artillery. The next morning he saw from the window McDonell's army advancing to the assault. With a view to warning his master, the piper played the air then known as " Dunniveg's Warning" (now called "The March of Duntroon Castle"). McDonnell understood the signal and sheared off, leaving the piper to his fate. A hundred years ago it was commonly believed in the adjoining hamlet that the place was haunted by the ghost of a fingerless piper. This would seem to give a clue to the unfortunate man's fate. It is generally assumed that his captors heard him playing and ran up, slicing off his fingers with a blow of the sword as the quickest method of stopping the tune. Wild pipe music can still be heard in the castle.
Duntulm Castle
A nursemaid accidentally dropped a child from the battlements here. Now the phantom cries of a spectral nursemaid holding a dead child haunts the castle
Duntulm Castle
A prisoner was walled up in a castle tower. His ghostly muffled screams can still be heard nearby.
Duntulm Castle
The ghost of a weeping nun haunts the castle.
Duntulm Castle
The ghosts of three drunkards haunt the castle.
Dunvegan Castle
The Flag of the MacLeod's was given to them by a fairy that changed herself into a mortal and married into the family. Each time the flag is waved, it grants the MacLeods victory over a foe, but the flag can only be used three times. It has been used twice so far, in 1490 at Glendale and and in 1580 at Trumpan, both times with success.
Dunvegan Castle
The Fairy Bridge near the castle is considered inherently evil, and upsets animals.
Earlshall Castle
A veteran of the Battle of Flodden, Bruce was renowned for his ruthlessness in hunting down Covenanters, and it may be because of this that his ghost now haunts the castle.
Edinburgh Castle
James Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee or Bonnie Dundee as he was known, was the Jacobite commander of the forces at the Battle of Killiecrankie on the 27th July168, where he was mortally wounded. The Viscount was seen on the same day by Lord Balcarres in Edinburgh Castle. Lord Balcarres later discovered that the Viscount had died at Killiecrankie around the time of the sighting.
Edinburgh Castle
The ghost of a drummer haunts the castle, and is said to forewarn of bad news.
Edinburgh Castle
The ghost of a piper haunts the castle, playing unearthly music on the battlements
Eilean Donan Castle
A Spanish soldier of fortune was killed by an artillery bombardment, his head blown off by cannonbal. His ghost carrying his head under his arm, still haunts the castle.
Ellistoun Castle
Holding a grinning skull, this dark horseman and his black steed gallop furiously down muddy paths towards nearby waterfalls.
Ethie Castle
The ghost of Cardinal Beaton and his mistress haunt the castle.
Ethie Castle
The ghostly sobs of young children are heard, as are eerie dragging sounds.
Fernie Castle
A Green Lady fell to her death from the tower of the castle many centuries ago. Today her ghost haunts the castle. She takes the blame for problems with lights and other electrical appliances.
Ferniehirst Castle
This jade coloured figure has been observed in the large house.
Finavon Castle
Caught breaking into the castle grounds to steal food and firewood, this man was hanged and his hanging body left as a warning for others. Now his ghost haunts the castle grounds.
Finavon Castle
A local rhyme states that when the castle is reduced to dust, the world will end.
Castle Fraser
In the 19th century a young woman was murdered in the castle and her body dragged down the stone steps. Blood stains on the stones kept reappearing, despite repeated cleaning by the servants. The stair is now covered in wood.
Fyvie Castle
Dame Lillias Drummond was starved to death by her husband, Sir Alexander Seton, who remarried soon after. Her ghost, a Green Lady, scratched her name on the window sill of the bedroom of the newlyweds and can still be seen there.
Fyvie Castle
The castle is haunted by a "Grey Lady". When building work was being carried out in the early part of the twentieth century a skeleton was found in a secret room. The Grey Lady was seen frequently afterwards, until the bones were returned to the room and things quietened down again.
Fyvie Castle
A green lady, is seen and not heard as she drifts down the corridors to the 'Murder Room' always presaging a death in the family at the castle.
Fyvie Castle
The ghost of Andrew Lammie blows a single long note on his instrument as a death approaches the family.
Garth Castle
Mariota, the laird's wife died in strange circumstances in the early sixteenth century. Sightings of her ghost convinced many that she was murdered by her husband.
Gight Castle
This piper was playing while investigating a secret passageway. He was never seen again, though his ghostly piping is frequently heard.
Glamis Castle
The most famous legend connected with the castle is that of the Monster of Glamis, a hideously deformed child born to the family. In the story, the monster was kept in the castle all his life and his suite of rooms bricked up after his death. An alternative version of the legend is that to every generation of the family a vampire child is born and is walled up in that room. There is an old story that guests staying at Glamis once hung towels from the windows of every room in a bid to find the bricked-up suite of the monster. When they looked at it from outside, several windows were towel-less.
The legend of the monster may have been inspired by the true story of the Ogilvies. Somewhere in the 16-foot-thick (4.9 m) walls is a famous room of skulls, where the Ogilvie family, who sought protection from their enemies the Lindsays, were walled up to die of starvation.
The legend of the monster may have been inspired by the true story of the Ogilvies. Somewhere in the 16-foot-thick (4.9 m) walls is a famous room of skulls, where the Ogilvie family, who sought protection from their enemies the Lindsays, were walled up to die of starvation.
Glamis Castle
"Earl Beardie", who has been identified with both Alexander Lyon, 2nd Lord Glamis, and Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford wanted to play cards on the sabbath, but no-one would play with him. Lord Beardie became so furious that he claimed that he would play with the Devil himself. A stranger then appeared at the castle and joined Lord Beardie in a game of cards. The stranger was the Devil who at the end of the game condemned the Earl to play cards until doomsday. The large bearded ghost of "Earl Beardie" still haunts the castle. (A similar sory is told at Lordscairnie Castle)
Glamis Castle
James V hated Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis along with all of her family. James had Janet's family members and servants subjected to torture to obtain false evidence against her. Janet was convicted of witchcraft and was burned at the stake on 17 July 1537 on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle, which her young son was forced to watch. Her ghost is the "Grey Lady of Glamis". A seat in the chapel is always reserved for the "Grey Lady" and although the chapel is often full, no one else is allowed to sit in that seat.
Glamis Castle
A black page boy occasionally appears and disappears near a sitting room in the castle.
Glamis Castle
A ghost called 'Jack the Runner' has exceptionally long legs that carry him at speed along the castle corridors.
Glamis Castle
A spectral giant in armour stands over and looks down on people in bed in the castle.
Glamis Castle
A spectral murder is regularly reenacted in the parlour in the castle.
Glamis Castle
Ghostly sounds, thought to be of a set of gallows being constructed, can be heard at the castle.
Glamis Castle
The ghost of a pale girl is seen being dragged away by an invisible force in the castle courtyard.
Glamis Castle
The ghost of Lady Glamis drifts in mist around the clock tower at the castle
Glamis Castle
A ghost in the 'Haunted Room' makes mysterious sounds and causes people to faint if the go to investigate.
Glamis Castle
The ghost of a white lady drifts along the castle corridors.
Castle Grant
In a protest about her arranged marriage, Barbara starved herself to death in a room in the tower; she is still seen glazing out of the window, sometimes washing her hands in a basin floating in front of her. A ghostly piper also patrols the lands outside the castle.
Castle Grant
Lady Barbara Grant, the daughter of a 16th century laird, died while locked in a cupboard because she fell in love with a man deemed unsuitable by her father.Her ghost still haunts the castle.
Castle Guthrie
During a visit by the Bishop of St Andrews in 1620 the ghost of a former Lady Guthrie came to make sure he was comfortable. Since then the ghost of Lady Guthrie has returned to look after whoever is sleeping there. Guests in the castle (now an hotel) often say it has been the most peaceful sleep they have ever experienced.
Hailes Castle
Locals have reported strange banging sounds coming from the castle, as well as the occasional glimpse of a phantom woman in white.
Hallgreen Castle
The ghost of a strange looking man in a long cloak haunts the castle.
Hallgreen Castle
The ghosts of wo teenage serving girls haunt the castle.
Hermitage Castle
Sir Alexander Ramsey was starved to death in 1342 in the castle dungeon by Sir William Douglas. Legend has it that Sir Alexander survived for seventeen days by eating small quantities of grain that fell through the cracks in the floor of the castle granary above the dungeon. His ghost now walks the castle grounds.
Hermitage Castle
A neighboring clan chieftain sent a group of ambassadors to the castle to offer a cessation of their feud. The laird put the men into a small casle cell without food or water. The men starved to death and their ghosts still walk the castle ruins.
Hermitage Castle
The 4th Earl of Bothwell was visited at the castle by Mary Queen of Scots, who later married him. Mary's ghost is seen in the castle, but the ghostly screams heard from time to time are attributed to an earlier owner who dabbled in witchcraft.
Hermitage Castle
The ghost of Mary Queen of Scots haunts the castle, though there is no evidence that she ever visite it.
Hermitage Castle
William of Soulis was murdered by his peasants, tired of his wicked ways. The ghost of William now returns every seven years to meet a wizard under the castle ruins.
Hermitage Castle
There is a hoard of hidden treasure under the ruins of the castle, but the Devil watches over it. When people have tried to dig for the treasure, violent storms have always driven them away.
Huntingtower Castle
The castle ghost is named "My Lady Greensleeves" and although she is sometimes seen in advance of a death, she also appears to cure sick people.
Huntingtower Castle
This ghost warns against approaching bad luck at the castle. Some reports say she is green, rather than white.
Inchdrewer Castle
In 1713 Lord Banff was murdered by his servants, who then set the castle alight in an attempt to conceal their crime. His ghost is said to return and walk the castle.
Inveraray Castle
On 10 July 1758 five witnesses in two different places watched a battle between the Highlander regiment and garrisoned French troops, in the skies over the castle. This battle mirrored real events in America at the same time, where 300 Highlanders were killed assaulting a French fort.
Inveraray Castle
A musican was killed during the attack by Montrose at the castle in 1644. His ghost now returns and plucks his strings of his harp. He also is heard in the library throwing books around, though none are ever moved.
Inveraray Castle
A ghost appears at the castle when a Campbell chief is close to death.
Inverquharity Castle
Sir John Ogilvie of Inverquharity raped and murdered two girls, and hanged their head of their household. The village priest prayed for vengeance, and Sir John dropped dead while hunting in 1662. Thecastle's ruin is blamed on Sir John's terrifying ghost that still walks the grounds
Jedburgh Castle (original building no longer stand
In the middle of his wedding celebrations at the castle in October 1285 an unknown hooded figure appeared. The dozens of guests and entertainers stopped and looked at him, and it became apparent his face was a skull. The spectral figure then vanished.
Kellie Castle
Anne Erskine plummeted to her death from the castle walls. Her ghost now haunts the castle walls.
Kellie Castle
Professor James Lorimer restored the castle from a ruin in the late nineteenth century. His ghost now sits in a castle corridor.
Kilchurn Castle
A pathetic spectral little voice is heard at the castle begging for assistance.
Kindrochit Castle
When the Black Death was discovered in the castle, local villagers blocked the external castle doors so that no one could escape and spread the disease. All of those who died inside the castle haunt the castle.
Kinnaird Castle
James Carnegie, a former laird at the hall, was well versed in the black arts. His ghost in a black coach pulled by dark horses haunts the grounds for the rest of eternity.
Kinnaird Head Castle
Isobel killed herself at the castle after she discovered her father had drowned her secret lover in a cave along the coast line, having chained him to a rock below the high tide line while a storm raged. Her ghost now foretells oncoming bad weather.
Knockdolian Castle
The mistress of the castle ordered the destruction of a water-side black rock, which stood a short distance away, in order to prevent a mermaid sitting on it and singing. In revenge, the mermaid cursed the family, ensuring they all died without leaving an heir.
Castle Levan
Lady Montgomery was killed by her husband after he discovered the dreadful ways in which she had been treating local peasants.
Loch Leven Castle
The Queen of Scots reportedly haunts the castle where she signed her abdication.
Loch of Lees Castle
Bertha was poisoned by her lover's mother, who was not impressed with her son's choice of future wife. Bertha's ghost appeared and scared her murderer to death. Bertha now returns to the scene of the crime.
Lordscairnie Castle
Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford played cards with the Devil and lost. His ghost, Beardie, can be seen playing cards with the devil at midnight each New Year's Eve, though anyone watching it will travel to hell with them at the end of the match. (a similar story is told at Glamis Castle)
Loudon Castle
The castle is haunted by the ghost of a Lady in White.
MacDuff's Castle
A petty thief, Mary was killed for her crimes. He ghost has haunted the castle ever since.
Mains Castle
A woman was throttled in the castle by her husband during a domestic row (he was convinced she was having an affair). Her ghost has haunted the castle ever since.
Meggernie Castle
The castle is haunted sepaerately by two half-ghosts, one from the waist up and one from the waist down. One explanation offered is that they are the two half ghosts of a woman who was murdered at the castle, and her body cut in two.
Megginch Castle
The ghosts of a pair of old women continue to natter away to each other years after their deaths.
Melgund Castle
The castle was built by Cardinal Beaton in the mid sixteenth century. Now it is haunted by his ghost.
Moy Castle
The Bean-nighe is a Scottish spirit, an ill bringer who would be seen washing the clothes of those soon to die. This creature has long breasts, slung over her shoulders, and if one was grabbed from behind she would tell to whom the clothes belonged. If they were yours, she could change your fate. The laird of the castle, upon seeing the creature, tried to grab her but failed and died in battle the following day
Muchalls Castle
A woman fell into the sea while helping her smuggler boyfriend, dying as her body was tossed around by high waves on the rocks. Her ghost is found in the nearby castle which is connected to the water by a secret passage.
Neidpath Castle
A young girl died in the castle of a broken heart because her father would not allow her to marry her lover. The castle is still haunted buy her pale ghost.
Newark Castle
The castle is home to the ghosts of women and children murdered by soldiers at the site. These ghosts are heard once a year on the anniversary of their deaths.
Newton Castle
Lady Jean Drummond used witchcraft to seduce and marry the local laird, but those who had taught her the black arts abducted her on the wedding night. Now her ghost sings sad love songs from a castle tower, and can be seen walking around the castle.
Noltland Castle
the ghost of a creature of enormous strength walks thecastle ruins
Noltland Castle
Broonie is a helpful brownie named who ensures that boats remain safe during storms.
Noltland Castle
Forthcoming deaths at the castle ar announced by the howls of a large black dog.
Noltland Castle
The castle was owned by the Balfour family. A ghostly light flickering at the castle window still shines when a birth or death occurs in the Balfour family.
Castle of Park
This castle incorporates a 16th century tower house. A green woman appears at an upstairs window. She is the ghost of a servant who was dismissed because she was expecing a child, and who subsequently committed suicide. Residents say they feel as though they are being watched and objects mysteriously move from one room to another.
Castle of Park
A monk was walled up in the castle. His ghost still haunts the castle.
Peel Castle
A local shuck (a demonic black dog), the Moddey Dhoo, haunted the local guardroom, appearing at night to sleep by their fire. One guard grew tired of hiding away from it and went to face the creature alone in 1660; he returned soon afterwards, silent and dying, but the creature was never seen again.
Penkaet (or Pencaet, or Pencait) Castle, also know
The ghost of Charles I is blamed for disrupting the bedding in the room that contains his death mask
Penkaet (or Pencaet, or Pencait) Castle, also know
John Cockburn, who committed murder here, can be heard dragging the body along various parts of the building
Penkaet (or Pencaet, or Pencait) Castle, also know
The castle is also haunted by the ghost of a beggar, executed for using witchcraft against another former owner.
Pitcaple Castle
To find a robin perched within the castle walls is considered the ultimate in misfortune, as it denotes a family death.
Rait Castle
During a bout of clan warfare, a daughter of the Comyns had her hands chopped off by her father who falsely believed she had betrayed him to their enemies (the MacIntoshes). She jumped from the castle battlements, rather than to bleed to death; her wraith is now seen drifting the castle ruins.
Roslin Castle
The pet dog of an English officer killed during a battle at the site can be heard crying out for its master.
Roxburgh Castle
James II was killed storming the castle, and it is reportedly his ghost on horseback that still charges around the area.
Ruthven Castle
The castle was once home of the infamous 'Wolf of Badenoch' a laird who reigned hardship and terror on the locals. The laird played chess with the Devil and lost. Now the match is replayed for evermore in spectral form.
Saddell castle
A former laird removed the headstones from nearby churchyards to use as construction material for his castle. Much of the castle is haunted by those he disturbed.
Sanquhar Castle
The ghost of a blonde-haired lady dressed in white haunts the castle. The lady was murdered at the castle in the late sixteenth century, though her body not discovered for almost three hundred years.
Sanquhar Castle
Wilson was murdered just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, and his ghost still protests.
Skibo Castle
This sad spirit is said to have been murdered in the 1600's by a servant. The white lady now drifts through the castle corridors, wailing and screaming.
Castle Stalker
Prior to a death of a Stewart chieftain, ann orb of brilliant light hovers over the castle
St Andrews Castle
Cardinal Beaton who served as the Archbishop of St. Andrews. Beaton was little interested in the Church, living in open concubinage, and providing lavishly for his children from ecclesiastical property. He imprisoned Protestants in the dungeon beneath the castle. Eventually, these prisoners would go insane in the darkness, at which point they were murdered. Cardinal Beaton's barbaric treatment of Protestants included the arrest, trial and execution of George Wishart who was burned at the stake in front of St. Andrews Castle on March 1st, 1546. In response, Protestant infiltrators penetrated the castle and assassinated the cardinal. His body was suspended over the castle walls by an arm and leg, to form the cross of St. Andrews.Although just a ruin today, Cardinal Beaton still roams the castle
As for the Cardinal, I grant,
He was the man we weel could want'
And we?ll forget him soon!
And yet I think, the sooth to say,
Although the loon is well away,
The deed was foully done.
As for the Cardinal, I grant,
He was the man we weel could want'
And we?ll forget him soon!
And yet I think, the sooth to say,
Although the loon is well away,
The deed was foully done.
St Andrews Castle
Archbishop Hamilton was a supporter of Mary Queen of Scots. He was arrested and hanged for treason. His ghost haunts the castle (though he was neither caught nor executed here).
Stirling Castle
The ghost of a woman in a pink silk dress stalks the area outside the fort, ellegedly the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots
Stirling Castle
a green lady has been observed
Stirling Castle
Phantom footsteps echo down corridorsof the castle
Strathmiglo Castle
This invisible entity - a brownie - lived in the castle and was only detectible when it stole food from the pantry.
Castle Stuart
Big Angus, who was found dead in the castle courtyard. It is not known whether he jumped or was pushed from the high tower window overlooking the yard. Eighther way, The castle is haunted by the ghost of Big Angus.
Sundrum castle
The castle is haunted by a Lady in Green
Tantallon Castle
The castle is haunted by the ghost of man wearing a ruff.
Taymouth Castle
The sound of phantom footsteps can be heard around the castle.
Thirlstane Castle
The ghost of John Maitland and the victims he raped and tortured, haunt this castle.
Threave Castle
The sounds of phantom conversation can be heard at the castle.
Tulloch Castle Hotel
A guest staying the night in Room 8 reported feeling the two adolescent girls sitting on his chest as he lay in bed, as if trying to suffocate him. Previous guests in the room have reported a figure sitting at the end of their bed, door handles rattling, and other strange disturbances
Tulloch Castle Hotel
The castle is known for its Green Lady, the ghost of a girl who died after falling down a spiral staircase after witnessing her father's adultery.
Tynron castle
The area around the castle is haunted by a decapitated horseman. The ghost is thought to be a man who tried to marry a girl residing at the castle, but her brothers chased him away. During the pursuit, the young man fell from his horse and lost his head.
Castle of Vayne (ruins)
Protecting a wealth of gold and jewels, this monster remains hidden unless threatened by treasure hunters.
Wemyss Castle
a tall Green Lady, haunts this ancient building
Windsor Castle
The ghost of George I haunts the rooms in which he was bound after being declared mad
Windsor Castle
The ghost of Henry VIII can be heard moving down the corridors, dragging his bad leg.
Windsor Castle
The park is haunted by the ghost of a Grenadier Guard who killed himself while on duty at the castle.