A guide to haunted places in Scotland

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The United Kingdom is the birthplace of Gothic horror, and many a terrifying Victorian novel was set in the windy, foggy hills of Scotland. This rugged and wild region is the perfect setting for a spooky story, but if you are to believe some of the locals, these tales are mostly rooted in a grain of truth. Scotland is home to some of the most haunted place on earth.

Abandoned graveyards, ruined churches and majestic castles – there are plenty of places in Scotland for a ghost or two to hide. If you are looking to spice up your holiday with a few shivers down your spine, just take a midnight stroll in any of these places and you’ll definitely fall prey to their creepy atmosphere. It doesn’t matter if you believe in ghosts or not…although after your visit you might change your opinion!

Fyvie Castle

Parts of this castle, located in the village of Fyvie in Aberdeenshire were built in the 13th century, a time of strife and bloody feuds in the history of Scotland. The castle would be a tourist magnet even without the legends of its haunting, thanks to the intricate interior decorations, throngs of old armours and great wheel staircase.

The castle is said to be haunted by the Grey Lady, the  spirit of a woman whose skeleton was discovered behind a bedroom wall in the 1920’s. Other “regulars” include the Green Lady who leaved behind the scent of roses whenever she appears and the phantom bagpiper.

Culloden Moor

Culloden Moor was the stage for one of the bloodiest battles in the history of the United Kingdom. In 1746, the final battle between the rebel army of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the forces of the government took place on this windswept plain near Inverness. 2000 Scotsmen died in the battle, and locals say that sometimes visions of the ordeal can be seen around the memorial cairns.

Seeing one ghost can be too much for some people, so what about 2000? If this sounds unsettling, don’t worry, you won’t have to visit the cairns alone, since there is a brand-new visitor centre at Culloden, offering guided tours for the curious.

Greyfriars Kirkyard, Edingburgh

This place is the highlight of the City of the Dead tour in Edinburgh, which takes you on a promenade along the most haunted places in the city. However, when it comes to Greyfriars, tour guides claim that the McKenzie crypt is the most haunted place on the entire planet.

George McKenzie was a Scottish lawyer who didn’t display any particular bloodlust during his life (not more than other lawyers at the time), however, his mood seemed to have turned sour after his death. His poltergeist allegedly attacks visitors to the crypt sometimes, leaving very real bruises and scratches on their bodies.

Mary King’s Close, Edinburgh

This underground street beneath the old town was sealed off from the rest of the city during an outbreak of the plague, but tragically, the families living on the street are said to have been sealed within. However, these are only legends: quarantines were surprisingly well organised in the 17th century, and plague victims were not walled up and left to starve.

However, after the reopening of the Close in 2003, many locals reported various paranormal activities. The Close is now a commercial tourist attraction, but that doesn’t change the fact that an entire little town buried under the city sounds more than a bit disturbing.

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Comments on A guide to haunted places in Scotland

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Scottish cottages wrote on July 29, 2010:

I was searching for the places of attraction in Scotland, and I happened to see this post. I felt quite curious about the haunted places of Scotland and I have read this with great interest. I think, this post will attract more people like me, and we will like to add adventure in our lives by visiting these places.

Melissa wrote on September 23, 2012:

Was just looking for pictures and places to visit in Scotland and come opon this. I think these places would be wonderful to visit, be it they are huanted or not. I am looking forward to making it there one of these days

lori wrote on September 25, 2012:

Hey Melissa,

I hope you’ll make it! After you did come back and tell us how it was! We would love having a guest post from you, too! 😉

Cheers

paula wrote on June 25, 2014:

having been to greyfriers on a tour ( covinanters) which is closed to the public due to people being scratched and so on myself and a few family members went and my son was attacked and had scratch marks on his face from nowhere , he also had a sore arm which we though was just the weather or growing pains , when we got home after a good nights ghost hunting we discovered a hand print bruise on his arm …. havent a scooby how or who done it but well worth a tour to anyone comin to edinburgh and wanting a wee fright .
They also do tours of the haunted pubs as well were u can have a wee dram and calm yer nerves … just incase something does happen ,, ye never know x

 

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