Sina Schoppmeier, Cheng Cheng and Victoria Laline - University of the West of Scotland - December 2014
Contents Foreword Map of Scotland Glamis Castle Stirling Castle Fyvie Castle Barcaldine Castle Edinburgh Castle Airth Castle
Welcome in scary Scotland…
Scotland is the perfect setting for telling a spooky story - and not just at the end of October when Halloween is in full celebration. With its isolated woodlands, remote castles, and mysterious glens and lochs, Scotland creates the ideal atmosphere for the most bloodcurdling legends of ghosts. These hauntings seem to have no set boundaries - from graveyards to theatres to bridges and bays, ghosts have taken up residence in all kinds of scary corners in Scotland. H o w e v e r, i t i s p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e o l d , s e c l u d e d c a s t l e s o f Scotland that have a precedence for spawning the creepiest myths and legends. On this site, we will talk about a few of these eerie castles and the stories behind them. Scotland is a nation of great storytelling, with legends passed on by narration over many years. The creepy stories surrounding S c o t l a n d ’s c a s t l e s o f t e n d e t a i l p e o p l e w h o d i e d i n d i s a s t r o u s and horrendous circumstances and of the inexplicable apparitions that come and go at night. So when you think you are ready for a visit to Scotland, be prepared to experience the scary side !
Scottish Castle Map
Fyvie Castle
Glamis Castle Barcaldine Castle S5rling Castle
Airth Castle
Edinburgh Castle
In in
Glamis Castle, Ghosts secret rooms...
are
screaming
“Hello ladies and gentlemen, allow us to introduce ourselves. We are the ghosts who live in the most haunted castle of Scotland. Some say it is the most haunted castle of the world, too. We hope so! We have so much to scare in our castle that we can unfortunately not clarify this point for you. Seven of us ghosts have been documented and referenced - but we can assure you we are more. Some of us have been here for centuries. Others move in each year: uncertain brides, lost tourists… You can not imagine how numerous they are! But enough about how quickly our ensemble of ghosts is growing, I would first like to introduce myself before I give my castlemates the floor. I am Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford, also known under the name of Earl Beardie. I am the most infamous phantom of Glamis Castle. People say I was a cruel and twisted man who drank heavily, but I was not. I was only a party-animal and a moody man - up to the day a stranger came knocking to my door. It was a tall gentleman in a long dark coat. He proposed to me that we have a game of cards. And I say YES. Do not blame me for that ! I have been a game addict for centuries… I was drunk, returning to my room, without anybody to play cards with... My passion overrode my suspicion. We played during days and nights. We were practically POSSESSED by the game. The only signs of life we gave were the screams my servants could detect. One Sunday, the day of God, one of my servants came to beg us to stop playing. I knew the game was forbidden in this sacred day but I did not care anymore. I did not want to stop playing, even if I had to gamble with EVIL. People think we were possessed and they were right… They entombed us alive in our playing room! Ever since this moment, I have kept playing in a secret room. That is why people say they saw, heard or felt me. I am still HERE. I wake up children in the middle of the night to play with them, but I am here for adults, too… Do not worry, there is enough time for me to play a game with everyone. Now I will let my castlemates introduce themselves.”
The Earl Beardie Ghost
In Glamis Castle, POISONING YOU...
Ghosts
are
“Nice to meet you! I am Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis or the Ghost Lady if you prefer. Maybe you know my first husband. He was John Lyon, Lord Glamis. I had my dear son with him, John. I lived like a Riley until his death, in 1528… People accused me of POISONING him! It made me mad but I was not late to be cleared of his crime. I could not mope around all the day. I married the majestic Archibald Campbell of Skipness. Whereas I thought I had found peace and love, he accused me of a second CRIME in 1537. I was blamed for planning to poison King James V of Scotland. But not only that, I was held responsible for communicating with my brothers, who had very bad intentions with the King… People really think that I was a WITCH. Two suspicious deaths resulting from the same poison are strange, I agree with you. So I was imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle dungeon with my husband and my son. Lucky for my husband, he escaped and was killed. But the unlucky James V did not find any evidence to convict me. In the aim to find my SECRET, he decided to torture me. The King ended up ordering to burn me alive at the stake as a witch. My dearest son was still alive when James V died. He was finally let free ! I tried to find him and I continue today. That is why you can meet me as a SPECTRE around the chapel of the Glamis castle… An eerie sound, a freezing wind and me. Me, sad and pretty in my XVI century long grey dress. Unfortunately, if you see me, this means a tragedy will soon fall upon you… So see you NEVER, I hope ! ”
The Ghost Lady
In Glamis Castle, the walls have ears... “Hi guys, I am Carrie ! Welcome to my horrifying castle. It has been an eternity since I began living here. I am actually the daughter of a previous chambermaid. But let’s get over with the boring introductions. Living in such an attractive castle is so wonderful, you can’t imagine ! Listening to the doors creak, discovering secrets to hide or reveal... I loved to be a little loud-mouth and to run everywhere and tell stories. Unluckily, one day I revealed a tale which I shouldn't have... My tongue has been cut off for speaking too much. I look so chilling now! Even if I cannot talk anymore, I can still hear you. I am wandering around the ground or standing behind barred windows and doors. Pay attention to what you say. The walls have ears here. ”
The Girl without a Tongue
Stirling Castle Stirling castle is one of the most important castles in Scottish history. Many kings and queens, including Mary Queen of Scots, have been crowned within this castle. And as the home to many kings and queens of Scotland, tragedy, embarrassment, intrigue and death were never far behind. Stirling is definitely not on a shortage of ghost stories. One of the many stories is of The Pink Lady. Some people describe her as a beautiful lady who became engaged to a brave knight. The knight tragically died of starvation inside the castle during the wars of independence, and ultimately the Pink Lady died as well - not of starvation, but of a broken heart. To this day her spirit still travels through the castle, longing for the day when they will join each other again. Others claim that Mary Queen of Scots also haunts the castle. She has been linked to the ghost of the Pink Lady, as she is often seen wearing a graceful pink robe, walking away from the castle to the Church of the Holdrood. The most active of the Stirling ghosts is the Highland Ghost. Staff and tourists have frequently seen this ghost wearing a full traditional outfit with a kilt. On many events, visitors have been upset when they approach him and he only turns around and walks away, disappearing in front of their eyes. Not as frequently encountered, but perhaps the most famous Stirling ghost, is the Green Lady. People believe that she was an attendant to Mary Queen of Scots. One night the queen was asleep in her chamber when her bed set alight by a candle at her bedside. The servant saved the queen’s life, but unfortunately perished through her selfless act. Ever since her death,the Green Lady has been seen at the castle, probably in search for the queen.
Fyvie Castle Fyvie Castle has been the home of five different Clans – the Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Leith families. Some say its foundation was in place as early as 1066 and is believed to have been built around the 13th Century by William the Lion. In the 13th century, Lady Meldrum died and her body was sealed in the wall of a secret room in the Meldrum Tower at her request. She reportedly cursed anyone who entered the room. During renovations in the 1920s, her remains were uncovered. The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery, and from that day forward, the castle has experienced several strange noises and unexplained occurrences, and her ghost, known as the “Grey Lady”, is frequently seen. A second ghost in Fyvie is the Green Lady, who many believe to have been starved to death by her husband, who wished to marry her cousin. Others say that she died of a broken heart upon hearing her husband’s plan. The Green Lady supposdely carved her name on the stone window sill of her husband’s bedroom on the night that he took a new bride, and it is said to be visible to this day. Her ghost is said to roam the corridors of the castle, mourning the disloyalty of her husband, and leaving behind a trail of rose petals. Another legend of Fyvie castle is that of the phantom trumpeter, who can be heard throughout the castle. This trumpeter is thought to be the ghost of Andrew Lammie, who died of a broken heart after finding out about the death of his beloved Agnes. Andrew is also said to appear dressed in rich tartan near the castle war. On several occasions, the figure of a man has been seen only to disappear when approached, with a trumpet sounding when death is near.
Barcaldine Castle Barcaldine Castle, often referred to as the Black Castle, has a rich and bloody history. Sir Duncan Campbell built the castle between 1601 and 1609, and played an important role in the Massacre of Glencoe, 1692. Donald Campbell was the Laird of Barcaldine. He was the sworn enemy of Stewart of Appin. Stewart settled the matter by killing Donald with his sword. Then the shrewd Stewart escaped shortly after in order to avoid punishment from the Campbells. Before news of the killing leaked out, he hastened to Inverawe, where he found shelter in the house of Duncan Campbell, the brother of Donald, who hadn’t yet heard about his brother’s death. Duncan, following Highland tradition, provided his guest with food and board, not knowing the evil that Stewart had wrought. The ghost of Donald Campbell kept haunting his brother. It chastised Duncan for giving shelter to its murderer. Of course, this made no sense to Duncan, since he didn’t know his brother was dead. By the time the news reached him, Stewart had fled. Duncan could not avenge his brother’s death. Frustrated, Donald Campbell’s ghost returned to Barcaldine Castle. It has been sighted by some visitors. There is no precise data as to where and when it will make its next appearance.
Edinburgh Castle Edinburgh Castle, standing on an ex4nct volcano, takes an obvious place in the capital of Scotland. The history of Edinburgh Castle can date back to 850 BC. Parts of the castle itself date back to up to 900 years ago. It is also located in one of the most haunted ci4es in the world. Royalty lived and died in the castle which has inspired genera4ons of people. There were so many wars and bloody baHles figh4ng over it. These included the Wars of Independence and when the English and Scots fought for the ownership of Edinburgh Castle. So it is not en4rely unexpected that ghosts from every period of history enjoy wandering around in Edinburgh Castle. Large amount of visitors and staffs have claimed that they have seen or experienced strange things including spoNng phantoms, being touched and pulled, seeing shadowy figures, mist and green lights, feeling sudden temperature decline, and some4mes experiencing a burning sensa4on on the arm. The most common reports are the sigh4ngs of ghosts, which have been seen in different places by many people who had the same feelings and encounters. A headless drummer, the spirits of French prisoners and even the ghost of a dog have been on the list. The most famous one is a phantom bagpiper. It was said that one day people found a tunnel opening in the castle and decided to send a bagpiper to explore the road. It was believed that the road went through the High Street leading to the Palace of Holyrood House. The innocent piper was chosen and was sent to go through the tunnel while playing the bagpipe under the Royal Mile, and some other people would follow his music. As the music got weaker and weaker, suddenly the music stopped. No one knew what had happened then and could not find the piper anymore. Now it is said that some4mes a weak sound of bagpipes will be heard from the place under the Royal Mile.
Airth Castle Airth Castle has a history da4ng back to the 14th century. It is located in Falkirk, near the village Airth and river Forth. It’s regarded as one of the most important historical architectural sites in Scotland.The castle has connec4ons with two famous ScoNsh figures: William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. William Wallace went to rescue his uncle who was kept in the castle by the English, and that’s why there is a “Wallace Tower”. The Bruce family once owned the Airth Castle for a period. Like other haunted castles in Scotland, Airth Castle has its own stories and ghosts. It is said that in Room 3, 9, and 23, people can hear the sound of children playing -‐-‐ even when the rooms are empty. The story goes like this: in the 17th century, there was a housekeeper whose duty was to look a^er two children. Unfortunately due to her carelessness, the two children died in a fire. Now the ghost of this housekeeper walks through the castle to find the children and fulfill her du4es and relieve her worry. There is also a report about a phantom dog, which wanders around the hallways and nips at people’s ankles. It is also claimed that screams and cries have been heard during the night, which are considered to be a maid that was aHacked violently by her master. In 2005, Ghost Finders Scotland spent 10 hours making an inves4ga4on of Airth Castle. And the frightening results concluded that almost every room has a different spirit. Michael Roth
We wish you a good night ! Enjoy your nightmares...