These ghostly tales of the Highlands and Northern Isles have been supplied by Dylan Jones
Fort George, Ardersier
Fort George was built to pacify the Scottish Highlands in the aftermath of the Jacobite rising of 1745. It replaced an earlier Fort George in Inverness, which was constructed after the 1715 Jacobite rising in order to control the area. The current fortress has never been attacked and has remained in continuous use as a garrison. The fort is based on a star design by William Skinner, remaining virtually unaltered since its construction. Parts of it are under the care of Historic Environment Scotland and open to the public.
It is reputedly haunted by a spectral soldier that has been sighted in what was the jail, and also in the guardroom next door. Some have suggested that these may be different apparitions. However, the appearance of the ghostly soldier has led to him being known as Abernathy, following the imprisonment of a soldier named David Abernathy for the offence of drunkenness on duty. He carved a message into the wall, and this is still visible today. The exterior walls of the fort are said to be the haunt of a phantom piper.
It is reputedly haunted by a spectral soldier that has been sighted in what was the jail, and also in the guardroom next door. Some have suggested that these may be different apparitions. However, the appearance of the ghostly soldier has led to him being known as Abernathy, following the imprisonment of a soldier named David Abernathy for the offence of drunkenness on duty. He carved a message into the wall, and this is still visible today. The exterior walls of the fort are said to be the haunt of a phantom piper.
Busta House Hotel, Shetland
Situated to the north of the Shetland mainland, parts of the Busta House Hotel date back to 1588 when it was built by the Gifford family. It has seen its share of sorrow and is reputedly haunted as a result. On 14th May, 1748, tragedy stuck the then owners, Thomas Gifford and his wife Margaret. All four of their sons were drowned in a boating accident, leaving no male heir. They were approached by Barbara Pitcairn, a maid at the house, who informed them that she was legitimately married and pregnant with the child of one of their sons. When she gave birth to a son, named Gideon, she was repudiated and banished from the property. She died in poverty aged just 36. The ghost of Barbara Pitcairn is said to be regularly seen by guests. The apparition of a grey-haired woman wearing a lace cap and brown dress has been reported in the Linga Room. Other phenomenon include disembodied footsteps, as well as lights and electrical items being switched off and on. Dare you visit and stay in this fine old house?
Tulloch Castle, Dingwall
Tulloch Castle likely dates to the mid 16th century, when Duncan Bane (Bain, Bayne) was granted the barony of Tulloch in 1542. However, it has been suggested that it may have origins as far back at the mid-12th century. During World War 2 it served as a hospital., but is now as a hotel. It is reputedly haunted by the ghost of one Elizabeth Davidson, known as the Green Lady who frequents parts of the castle, but particularly Room 8. Other phenomena reported in the room are temperature drops and knocking on the door.
Skibo Castle, Dornoch
Skibo Castle is largely of 19th and early 20th century origin, and was the home of industrialist Andrew Carnegie. However, the first record of Skibo Castle is a charter from 1211, when the castle was a residence of the Bishops of Caithness until 1565. It is now operated as The Carnegie Club, a members-only residential club, offering members and their guests accommodation in both the castle and estate lodges.
Local legend states that the castle was haunted by a ghostly partially-clothed Lady in White, who walked the building during the hours of darkness frightening people with her moaning and screaming. In life, she was apparently a local girl who was invited to the castle by the steward, yet was never seen again. It was believed that she had been murdered and her body hidden in the grounds, but no evidence was found to implicate the steward in her disappearance. When it was purchased by Carnegie, the castle underwent renovations, during which the remains of a women were reportedly discovered behind a wall. Once given a Christian burial, the hauntings halted.
Local legend states that the castle was haunted by a ghostly partially-clothed Lady in White, who walked the building during the hours of darkness frightening people with her moaning and screaming. In life, she was apparently a local girl who was invited to the castle by the steward, yet was never seen again. It was believed that she had been murdered and her body hidden in the grounds, but no evidence was found to implicate the steward in her disappearance. When it was purchased by Carnegie, the castle underwent renovations, during which the remains of a women were reportedly discovered behind a wall. Once given a Christian burial, the hauntings halted.
CullodenThe 16th April, 1746 witnessed one of the most bloody battles in Scotland - The Battle of Culloden Moor. The 5,000 weary men of Bonnie Prince Charlie faced the 9,000 well-trained and equipped English army under the command of the Duke of Cumberland. What swiftly followed was a rout, leaving thousands of Scots dead and dying on the moor. Furthermore, no quarter was given to the wounded Scots, many being brutally slaughtered in the aftermath.
|
|
Some have claimed that the violence has left a permanent spectral stain upon the surrounding landscape. Legend states that birds do not sing and heather will not grow at the battle site or near the graves of the fallen. On the anniversary of the battle, witnesses have reported seeing phantom soldiers and hearing the sounds of anguished men and weaponry. One such account dates back to 1896, when an American businessman named Ian MacDonald, who was a descendant of a Jacobite soldier, experienced a vision at the battlefield. Whilst riding his horse across the site, it bolted and ran across the moor. MacDonald reported suddenly being surrounded by two armies in the heat of battle, the deafening musket fire and clashing of swords reverberating mercilessly around him. He then felt a wound to the chest and fell from his horse, before slipping in unconsciousness. When he came to, he was back in his hotel room being tended to by a doctor. When he recounted his experience, he found that he was not the first to report such an experience. Maybe descendants are sensitive to phenomenon?
Witnesses have reported apparitions at various places in the area. These include a handsome, yet muddied, ghostly Jacobite soldier lying on top of a cairn. Another pitiful ghost addresses witnesses with a solitary word, “Defeated”, before disappearing. Others have seen Jacobite bodies strewn across the ground. A mounted officer in Hussar’s uniform is seen leading a troop of soldiers across the moor. At St Mary’s Well, dead highlanders have been sighted.
Also reputedly haunted is nearby Culloden House, where a phantom in green tartan has been spotted. Is this the ghost of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who reportedly spent the night before the battle there, as some have suggested?
Witnesses have reported apparitions at various places in the area. These include a handsome, yet muddied, ghostly Jacobite soldier lying on top of a cairn. Another pitiful ghost addresses witnesses with a solitary word, “Defeated”, before disappearing. Others have seen Jacobite bodies strewn across the ground. A mounted officer in Hussar’s uniform is seen leading a troop of soldiers across the moor. At St Mary’s Well, dead highlanders have been sighted.
Also reputedly haunted is nearby Culloden House, where a phantom in green tartan has been spotted. Is this the ghost of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who reportedly spent the night before the battle there, as some have suggested?
Dunrobin Castle, Golspie
|
Dunrobin Castle is a stately home and family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. Parts of the Castle date to the 1300's, but most of the present building and the gardens were added by Sir Charles Barry between 1835 and 1850.
The upper floors of the older part of the castle is supposedly haunted by the apparition of Margaret, daughter of the 14th Earl of Sutherland. Margaret fell in love with Jamie Gunn, son of one of the Earl’s tacks-men, and clearly beneath the station expected. When the earl discovered the courtship, he imprisoned the distraught Margaret in one of the attic rooms. Gunn decided to rescue his beloved, and had a rope smuggled into her cell to help her escape. As she attempted to lower herself from the attic, her father broke into the room and startled her, resulting in Margaret plummeting to her death. |
Other areas of the castle are said to be haunted by the apparition of a man, phantom footsteps pacing the gift shop, and in times past sobbing in the night from one particular room.
Balnagown Castle, Kildary
Balnagown Castle occupies a site that has had some form of fortification since the 14th century, and was the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan Ross. However, the present building was remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 1970s, it was purchased by the Egyptian-born businessman, Mohamed Al-Fayed. The castle is a category B listed building, and the grounds are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens.
It is reputedly haunted by two ghosts - those of a young girl and ‘Black' Andrew Munro. The apparition of the young girl has been sighted walking from the dining room to drawing room. She is described as having auburn hair, green eyes and a friendly smile, leaving those who have reported her to say that she has a pleasant demeanour. However, the second phantom is remarkably different. Known as ‘Black’ Andrew Munro, he was regarded as an evil man in life, with a vile temperament towards females. He is reputed to have inflicted wanton acts of violence against women, including rape and murder. He was eventually tried in 1522 and hung from a window on the Red Corridor of the castle. His ghost has been sighted within the Red Corridor, glaring at female visitors. Other phenomenon include the sound of soft footsteps that change to running ones, as if someone is being chased.
It is reputedly haunted by two ghosts - those of a young girl and ‘Black' Andrew Munro. The apparition of the young girl has been sighted walking from the dining room to drawing room. She is described as having auburn hair, green eyes and a friendly smile, leaving those who have reported her to say that she has a pleasant demeanour. However, the second phantom is remarkably different. Known as ‘Black’ Andrew Munro, he was regarded as an evil man in life, with a vile temperament towards females. He is reputed to have inflicted wanton acts of violence against women, including rape and murder. He was eventually tried in 1522 and hung from a window on the Red Corridor of the castle. His ghost has been sighted within the Red Corridor, glaring at female visitors. Other phenomenon include the sound of soft footsteps that change to running ones, as if someone is being chased.
Rait Castle, Nairn
Rait Castle is a ruined hall-house castle dating from the thirteenth century. It is claimed that the Duke of Cumberland stayed at the castle before the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The castle is reputedly haunted by a grisly spectre of a young woman with severed hands, her dress bloodstained from the wounds inflicted upon her by her own father. It is believed she is the daughter of the Cummings laird who lived in the castle in 1524. The story goes that the Cummings clan invited the Mackintoshes there for a feast, but had murder in mind. The intended victim’s of the ambush discovered the plan and came prepared for confrontation. After killing many of the Cummings clan, the Mackintoshes escaped the castle to safety. The enraged Cummings laird suspected his daughter as being responsible for the betrayal, as she was in love with one of the Mackintoshes. He chased her through the castle to the upper floors. As she hung out an upper in her attempt to escape, he hacked off her hands causing her to plunge to her death. Her apparition is said to haunt the castle ever since.