Reportedly haunted locations in Scotland facts for kids

There are many places in Scotland that people say are haunted. A "haunted" place is somewhere people believe a ghost or spirit might be seen or heard. These stories often come from old legends or mysterious events that happened long ago.

Famous Haunted Places in Scotland

Edinburgh Castle: A Piper's Tune and a Drummer's Warning

Edinburgh Castle, a famous haunted spot.

Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland's most famous haunted places. It's connected to the Royal Mile by secret tunnels. Long ago, a piper was sent to explore these tunnels. He was told to keep playing his bagpipes so people above ground could follow his path. But halfway down the Royal Mile, the music suddenly stopped. The piper was never seen again! Some people say you can still hear the faint sound of his pipes from inside the castle.

Another ghost at the castle is a drummer. This ghostly drummer only appears when the castle is about to be attacked. It's like a spooky warning!

Airth Castle: Nannies, Children, and a Ghost Dog

Airth Castle, known for its many ghost stories.

Airth Castle has many ghost stories. People have reported seeing a nanny with two young children. It's believed they died in a fire at the castle. The sound of children playing has been heard in certain rooms. Some also report hearing cries and screams, which are thought to be from a maid who was attacked long ago. There's even a story about a ghost dog that likes to nip at people's ankles as it roams the hallways!

Ackergill Tower: The Sad Story of Helen Gunn

Ackergill Tower, where Helen Gunn's ghost is said to roam.

Ackergill Tower in Wick is said to be haunted by the ghost of Helen Gunn. She was a beautiful woman who was taken by a man named John Keith. To escape him, she either jumped or fell from the highest tower. People say her ghost is still seen today, wearing a long red dress and with dark hair.

Glamis Castle: A Castle Full of Secrets

Glamis Castle, famous for its many ghost legends.

Glamis Castle is one of Scotland's most famous haunted castles. It has many legends, including stories of secret rooms and mysterious figures. One well-known tale is about a "Grey Lady" who is believed to be the ghost of Lady Janet Douglas. She was burned at the stake in 1537.

Holyrood Palace: The Ghost of Bald Agnes

Holyrood Palace, a royal residence with a ghostly resident.

Holyrood Palace is a royal residence in Edinburgh. It's said to be haunted by a ghost known as Bald Agnes. This is believed to be the spirit of Agnes Sampson, who was accused of witchcraft in the 16th century.

Mary King's Close: A Hidden Street with a Past

Mary King's Close, an underground street in Edinburgh.

Mary King's Close is an old, now underground, street in Edinburgh. Legend says that during the time of the plague, people who were sick were quarantined here. Many stories are told about the spirits of those who lived and died in this hidden close.

Fyvie Castle: A Skeleton in the Wall

Fyvie Castle, known for its hidden skeleton story.

Fyvie Castle has a very unusual ghost story. In 1920, during some building work, a skeleton of a woman was found hidden behind a bedroom wall. When her remains were buried in the local cemetery, strange noises and unexplained things started happening at the castle. The owner, fearing he had upset the spirit, had the skeleton dug up and put back behind the wall. After that, the strange events stopped!

Stirling Castle: The Green Lady and the Pink Lady

Stirling Castle, home to two famous lady ghosts.

Stirling Castle is said to be haunted by a "Green Lady." Many believe she is the ghost of one of Mary, Queen of Scots' servants. There are also sightings of a "Pink Lady" here, and some think this might even be Mary Queen of Scots herself!

Culloden Battlefield: Echoes of a Battle

Culloden Battlefield is a historic site where a famous battle took place. Many people believe that the spirits of the soldiers who fought and died there still linger. Visitors have reported feeling strange presences or hearing sounds of battle.

Greyfriars Kirkyard: The Mackenzie Poltergeist

Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a very old graveyard. It's known for stories about the spirit of George Mackenzie, who was a lawyer known for being very strict with people called Covenanters. Since the 1990s, some people have reported strange events in the churchyard, especially after someone broke into his tomb.

Inveraray Castle: The Harpist's Tune

Inveraray Castle is believed to be haunted by the ghost of a harpist. The story says he was hanged in 1644. Visitors to the castle have reported hearing the mysterious sound of a harp playing, even when no one is there.

Leith Hall: A Wounded Laird

Leith Hall is reportedly haunted by Laird John Leith III. He died in a fight on Christmas Day in 1763. People say his ghost appears looking hurt, with a bandage over his head and eyes, wearing dark green clothes. One guest in 1968 even woke up to see John in traditional Scottish dress, with bloody bandages, standing at the foot of their bed.

RAF Montrose: The Ghost of Desmond Arthur

RAF Montrose in 1917, now a heritage center.

RAF Montrose, which is now the Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre, is said to be haunted by the ghost of Desmond Arthur. He was a pilot who died in a plane crash there in 1913.

Tulloch Castle: Teen Girls and a Green Lady

Tulloch Castle has reports of several ghosts, including two teenage girls and another "Green Lady."

Other Haunted Locations

• The A75 between Annan and Dumfries is said to have frightening figures that appear and then vanish.
• Ardrossan Castle is said to be haunted by the ghost of William Wallace on stormy nights.
• Culzean Castle is believed to have at least seven ghosts, including a piper and a servant girl.
• Dalzell House has stories of three lady ghosts: a green, a white, and a grey lady.
• Dryburgh Abbey Hotel is reportedly haunted by a Grey Lady who drowned herself in the nearby River Tweed.
• The Edinburgh Vaults, also known as the Southbridge Vaults, are known for many ghostly encounters.
• Jedburgh Castle has many reports of ghosts, including a ghostly piper on the battlements.
• Pinkie House is said to be haunted by the "Green Lady," Lilias Drummond, sometimes with a child. She is also said to haunt Fyvie Castle.
• The Tolbooth, Aberdeen is considered one of Aberdeen's most haunted buildings.

Images for kids

• 

  Ardrossan Castle

• 

  Dryburgh Abbey Hotel

• 

  Edinburgh Vaults