Scottish Ghosts&Castles

It is amazing that many of Scotland's castles are associated with apparitions, strange noises and ghosts,  - they have histories in some cases going back as far as over 600 years. Here you have some of them. It has been very difficult to select from a list of 150. There are also links to castle web sites where you can learn more about the castles and see illustrations of the buildings (but probably not the ghosts...)

Culzean Castle, Ayrshire

There had been a castle here on the cliffs overlooking the Firth of Clyde. The earlier castle had been built by Sir Thomas Kennedy (who was murdered on the sands at Ayr in 1602).  In the 18th century, Robert Adam designed his masterpiece for the Earl of Cassillis  - incorporating some of remaining parts of the former castle. Whenever one of the Kennedy family is about to get married a ghostly piper is said to play there. He is also supposed to play on stormy nights. There is also a ghost of a young woman in a ball-gown (reported as recently as 1972), but no-one seems to know who she is.

Ackergill Tower, Caithness

Ackergill Tower has had a terrible history over the last 600 years. It was owned by the Keith family who was always fighting with the Gunns and Sinclairs who came from the same part of the country. The castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of Helen Gunn who 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 captors.

Auchen Castle, Dumfries and Galloway

The original Auchen Castle dates back to 1220. The original Castle is now in ruins next to what was the home farm for the next Auchen Castle built in 1849. The castle is located near Beattock. This castle is reportedly haunted by a child with a transparent complexion who walks the corridors, main staircase and grounds in the very early hours of morning.

Balcomie Castle, Fife

Since the 16th century, the castle has had many owners . It is famous because Mary of Guise stayed there on her way to marry King James V. At one time it had fine plaster ceilings but these were taken to Ayrshire to be incorporated into Dean Castle. The ghost in Balcomie Castle is said to be of a young man who was starved to death in the castle because he would not stop whistling!

Baldoon Castle, Galloway

This castle was owned by the Dunbars of Westfield from 1530 to 1800. Now it is a ruin. Baldoon Castle's ghost became the subject of a novel by Sir Walter Scott - "The Bride of Lammermuir". Forced by her parents to abandon the man she loved, she married David Dunbar but became insane and killed him on her wedding night. Ever since those events in the 17th century, she is said to wander around the castle dressed in white, blood-spattered clothes but is most often seen on the anniversary of her death.

Brodick Castle, Isle of Arran

Much of the castle was created in the 19th century but incorporating parts which date back to the 13th century (though there may have been a Viking fort on the site even earlier than that). It was originally built by the Stewarts and was captured by the English during the Wars of Independence. In 1406 an English fleet sailed into the Clyde and destroyed much of the original castle. Considerable additions were made to the castle when Cromwell's forces occupied it in the middle of the 17th century. For much of its life the castle has been owned by members of the Hamilton family. The older part of the castle is said to be haunted by a "Grey Lady" who starved to death in the dungeons of the castle because she had the plague. A man has been reportedly seen sitting in the library and a White Deer is reputedly seen in the grounds of the castle whenever a chief of the Hamiltons is close to death.

Claypotts Castle, Angus

The oddly shaped Claypotts Castle (two of its round towers have projecting rectangular rooms at the top) dates from the 16th century. At one time the castle was owned by John Graham of Claverhouse, known as "Bonnie Dundee" or "Bloody Clavers" depending on which side you were on during the time of the Covenanters. The castle is said to be haunted by a "White Lady" who is seen at a window in the castle each 29 May. She is reputed to be the ghost of Marion Ogilvie who was the mistress of Cardinal Beaton who was murdered in St Andrews - on 29 May 1546.

Craigievar Castle, Aberdeenshire

Seven-storeys high, Craigievar Castle was owned initially by the Mortimer family and then the Forbes who completed the castle in 1626. It is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is said to be haunted by a member of the Gordon family who was murdered there by Sir John Forbes who forced him out of a high window at sword point. There is also said to be a fiddler - who is only ever seen by members of the Forbes family.

Craignethan Castle, Lanark

On an easily defensible position on a promontory overlooking the River Nethan, a tributary of the Clyde, Craignethan Castle had formidable defences - which were never put to the test. Originally owned by the Black Douglases it passed to the Hamiltons. Mary Queen of Scots is said to have spent the night there before the Battle of Langside and the castle is said to be haunted by her (minus her head, which was removed at her execution!). Other apparitions have been seen in the courtyard of the castle. In recent times, visitors to the castle have followed a a figure dressed in historical costume, thinking it was leading the way to a pageant - only to find the figure disappearing before their eyes...

Delgatie Castle, Turriff

Rising five storeys high, Delgatie Castle was the property of the Clan Hay who had a well-earned reputation for their fighting qualities. But the Clan supported the Jacobites in both 1715 and 1745 and forfeited the castle as a result. The castle is reputed to be haunted by a red haired woman and during the Second World War an entire detachment of troops who were billeted there fled from the castle in bare feet as they were confronted by the ghostly apparition.

Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire

Held by the Frasers since the 15th century, the castle is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland. While there are no reported ghosts in the castle, in the 19th century a young woman was murdered in the castle and her body dragged down the stairs. It was said that the stains on the stone stairs kept reappearing, despite strenuous efforts by the servants. The stair is now covered in wood.

Fyvie Castle, Aberdeenshire

Dating back to the 13th century, Fyvie Castle is highly decorated with towers and dormer windows. It has been owned by a number of wealthy families over the years - Lindsay, Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon, Leith, many of whom left their mark on the building. It is said to be haunted by several ghosts including a "Grey Lady". When building work was being carried out in the early part of this century a skeleton was found in a secret room. The Grey Lady was seen frequently thereafter - until the bones were returned to the room when things quietened down again. Another ghost, a "Green Lady" is said to be Dame Lillias Drummond who was starved to death by her husband, Sir Alexander Seton, who then remarried soon after. The ghost is said to have scratched her name on the window sill of the bedroom being used by the newlyweds - and the name can still be seen there.

Glamis Castle

Glamis has a reputation for being one of the most haunted castles in Scotland - and that is saying something! With its pointed turrets it looks more like a Disney creation than a Scottish castle. It was home to Queen Elizabeth, the mother of the present Queen. Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister was born in Glamis. Earlier in its history, however, the young and beautiful Lady Glamis was accused by King James V of being a witch and was burned at the stake in 1537. Her ghost is the "Grey Lady of Glamis". Another ghost is said to be the 4th Earl of Crawford who haunts a room where he played cards with the devil. The large bearded ghost of "Earl Beardie" is also said to have been seen on many occasions.

Lordscairnie Castle, Fife

Little remains of the original keep and tower of the 15/16th century building which was built for the Earls of Crawford. The loch which used to surround the castle has been drained and it is said that treasure is buried nearby. The 4th Earl of Crawford is said to be seen playing cards with the devil at midnight each New Year's Eve.

Castle of Park, Banff

This castle incorporates a 16th century tower house and a green lady is said to appear from an upstairs window. The story goes that she is a servant who was dismissed from her post because she was expecing a child and subsequently committed suicide. Yet another ghost in the castle is a monk who was reputedly murdered by being walled up in the castle. Residents say they feel as though they are being watched - and objects mysteriously move from one room to another but it is the former servant, the green lady who is given the blame for this!.