Spooky Scotland: Where to Hunt Witches, Ghosts and Ghouls

Secret chambers, tales of un-avenged murder, and ghastly apparitions -- Scotland has more than its share of spooky stories, supernatural sightings, and strange occurrences. From the major cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow to the Highlands and islands, ghost stories have been passed down in Scotland for centuries. What better time than Halloween to research the validity of these so-called myths? Below, a selection of “haunted” locations and castles to get the two of you started on your hunt:

Edinburgh’s Old Town holds many of Scotland’s secrets from bygone centuries: narrow closes (streets), witch execution and murder sites. Legend has it that when the plague struck Edinburgh in the mid-1600s, citizens who weren’t killed by the epidemic were forced out by the Burgh Council, when then built a new city on top of their old homes. Tours of the closes than line the Royal Mile are now available to the public. the newest is the Real Mary King’s Close, which takes visitors through the life of Mary King, an actual resident of one of the townhouses in the 17th century.

Walking tours of torture sites, scandalous murders and executions are available to the public as well through The Witchery Tours in Edinburgh. Guides dress in character garb, but be warned! There are a few “surprises” that jump out from dark corners, so it is not for the faint-of-heart! [see related story on The Witchery]

The Isle of Iona, a tiny island off the western coast of Scotland, has a burial ground containing the tombs of more than 60 Scottish, Irish, and Norwegian Kings. It has been said that ghost sightings on this island include silent Viking ghost ships, massacred monks roaming the beach, phantom bells, ghostly music and twinkling blue lights.

No ghost-hunting trip to Scotland would be complete without visiting a haunted castle. One of the most famous castles in Scotland is also supposedly one of the most haunted. Glamis Castle, located approximately 80 miles north of Edinburgh, is the legendary setting for one of Shakespeare’s most tragic plays: Macbeth. King Malcolm II was also murdered here--leaving a bloodstain on the floor so resistant to every effort to be removed it eventually had to be boarded over. Glamis is said to have secret rooms, believed to house a monster, the “Grey Lady,” the ghosts of men left to starve, and/or a vampire, depending on which story you choose to believe!

Stirling Castle, in the town of Stirling between Edinburgh and Glasgow, is said to house the ghost of a “Green Lady” who was believed to be an attendant to Mary, Queen of Scots. Legend has it that one night the attendant saved the Queen from death when the draperies of her four-poster bed caught on fire. Today, any appearance of the “Green Lady” is taken very seriously, as it is supposed to be a bad omen, heralding disaster or bad fortune.

This is just a sampling of the many stories of the supernatural that you can unearth in Scotland. For more information on Scotland, including packages and accommodations, please visit www.toscotland.com.