TOP 5 GHOULISH PLACES IN EDINBURGH
Situated among the world's most historically significant and breathtaking cities, the medieval wonder that is Edinburgh stands out, not only for its beauty but also for its reputation as one of the most haunted cities globally.
Given its dark and chilling history, it's hardly astonishing that Auld Reekie has earned the distinction of being labeled as the world's most ghostly city! Now, let's delve into the top 5 spookiest places in Edinburgh.
EDINBURGH CASTLE
Photo by Ben Guerin
The site upon which Edinburgh Castle is constructed predates even the time of Jesus and has witnessed hundreds, if not thousands, of gruesome deaths across the centuries.
Significant bloodshed had occurred on these grounds, with many lives lost long before Mary Queen of Scots embarked on the castle's reconstruction before her exile from the country.
Due to its blood-soaked history, it comes as no surprise that Edinburgh Castle is believed to be the abode of a considerable number of spirits and spectres. Paranormal activity on the premises is so frequent that the castle's staff and regular visitors have no choice but to become accustomed to it.
Visitors have recounted their encounters with the forlorn apparitions of prisoners from both French and American wars, mourning the fact that even in death, they remain trapped within the walls of Edinburgh Castle.
Several individuals have also made assertions of encountering musical phantoms, such as a phantom piper and a headless drummer.
Additional paranormal incidents at Edinburgh Castle encompass sudden and unexplained drops in temperature, disembodied voices, and footsteps, as well as an unseen entity tugging at the clothing and hair of guests.
EDINBURGH VAULTS, SOUTH BRIDGE
EDINBURGH VAULTS, SOUTH BRIDGE
Among all of Edinburgh's haunted sites, the Edinburgh Vaults stand out as the most popular, with the level of reported paranormal occurrences almost unheard of.
These vaults were initially opened in the 18th Century during a period of remarkable growth for Edinburgh.
Originally, the vaults were designated to house legitimate businesses like taverns and cobblers, despite their paradoxical subterranean location. Nevertheless, things took a dark turn around 1795 when flooding forced a mass evacuation, leading to the Vaults' abandonment.
Over time, these underground spaces became home to less-than-legal enterprises, including brothels.
Many of the city's impoverished residents were compelled to seek shelter in these vaults. It's been rumored that infamous serial killers Burke and Hare used one section of the vaults to locate victims and another to conceal their victims' remains. Though this assertion lacks concrete evidence, the daily surge of paranormal activity suggests that malevolent deeds have indeed transpired beneath Edinburgh over the past few centuries.
Numerous reports of poltergeist activity have surfaced, particularly in a room that remains perpetually dark, as any lightbulb installed there would inexplicably shatter upon activation.
An examination of the wiring provided no rational explanation for this persistent resistance to illumination. The prevailing belief within the paranormal community is that a single spirit, known for pushing and pulling anyone daring to venture into its domain, is responsible for this phenomenon.
GREYFRIARS KIRKYARD, OLD TOWN
Photo by Eduardo Madrid
Greyfriars Kirkyard, situated in Old Town, could very well be considered one of the most haunted locations in all of Edinburgh, and that's truly saying something.
Since its first interment in the 16th Century, Greyfriars Kirkyard has become the final resting place for numerous notable individuals, including Sir James Stirling, Allan Ramsay, and Sir Harry Munro.
Notably, Greyfriars Kirkyard is where Greyfriars Bobby, a beloved canine renowned for faithfully guarding his owner's grave for over a decade after the owner's passing, was laid to rest. Following Bobby's own demise, he was interred in an unconsecrated section within the cemetery gates.
Even today, there are accounts of Bobby's spectral barking reverberating through the graveyard, and some passersby claim to have glimpsed the loyal dog, still dutifully watching over his long-departed master's grave.
Arguably the most famous spirit said to haunt Greyfriars Kirkyard is George McKenzie, a lawyer responsible for the deaths of thousands of Covenanters. McKenzie's remains rest within a grand, ebony mausoleum on the premises, an apt hue for a man who wrought such suffering during his earthly existence.
Numerous instances of poltergeist activity reported within Greyfriars Kirkyard have been attributed to the turbulent spirit of George McKenzie. Many visitors to the cemetery recount experiences of being pushed or struck while passing by his mausoleum. Some have even been forcefully knocked to the ground by the formidable ghost.
It's said that sometime in the late 1990s, a homeless man illicitly entered McKenzie's mausoleum, seeking shelter from the harsh Edinburgh weather. Once inside, the man decided to engage in a bit of grave-robbing, hoping to find something of value to sell.
After forcibly opening several coffins within the structure, the homeless man arrived at the coffin where McKenzie's decaying body lay. Just before he could pry it open, a sinkhole materialised beneath him, causing him to plummet into a pit filled with the remains of commoners carelessly disposed of in a mass grave during the Plague.
Considering grave robbing is one of the most abhorrent crimes one can commit, this incident can be seen as a rare act of justice by George McKenzie.
THE SCOTSMAN HOTEL, NORTH BRIDGE
The Scotsman Hotel
Situated on North Bridge in Old Town, the erstwhile offices of The Scotsman newspaper and Edinburgh Evening News have been transformed into a luxurious 5-star hotel.
Having once served as the hub of Edinburgh's news industry, the building now harbours the apparitions of several individuals who once toiled within its walls.
One of the most notable specters at the Scotsman Hotel is a former printer from the Evening News. Even in the afterlife, he remains diligently engaged in his tasks, with numerous sightings of his ghost as he wanders the hotel's corridors and rooms.
BORTHWICK CASTLE
Borthwick Castle
A dozen miles southeast of Edinburgh, you'll find Borthwick Castle, a 15th-century fortress with a rich history that includes being a refuge for Mary, Queen of Scots, during the 16th century.
This formidable castle boasts one of Scotland's best-preserved 15th-century keeps and is renowned for its haunted reputation.
Within its imposing walls reside no fewer than five apparitions, with one of the most famous being the ghost of Mary Queen of Scots. Her ethereal presence is believed to wander through the structure in the stillness of the night, clad in a page boy attire, the disguise she once used in an escape attempt from the castle.
Another spectral resident of Borthwick Castle is a lady who haunts the Red Room. The tale tells of her tragic fate, as she fell pregnant at the hands of one of the Lords of the castle and met a gruesome end, stabbed through her pregnant belly with a sword, left to perish within that very room.
As one of the most haunted castles in Scotland, visitors staying at Borthwick have reported a constant sensation of being watched, and some have even encountered sudden and severe nausea, which fills them with terror.
These ghoulish places in Edinburgh offer a blend of history, legend, and eerie encounters that make the city a must-visit for those with a taste for the supernatural and a fascination with the darker side of history. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, these locations are sure to send shivers down your spine.