Dating back to the 12th century, it’s no surprise that Edinburgh Castle has many grisly tales and legends surrounding it.
The fortress has been the site of many deaths, tortures and executions in its time - some of which are said to have led to the spirits that walk the grounds to this day. Many visitors to the castle have claimed to have got more than they bargained for when they bought a ticket, but who exactly are people bumping into?
It’s said that Edinburgh Castle is one of the most haunted locations in Scotland, and if we’re to believe some of these stories then it must be true. From feeling unwelcome presences to seeing shadowy beings, the reports are endless.
READ MORE - 12 Edinburgh ghost sightings to make your blood curdle ahead of Halloween
Here are just some of the creepy characters that visitors have had an unwanted experience with.
The Grey Lady
Said to roam the halls of the castle in a mournful fashion, the Grey Lady is thought by some to be Janet Douglas. Otherwise known as Lady Glamis, she was accused of witchcraft by King James V.
The King hated her brother, Archibald Douglas, who had imprisoned James in his younger years. After his release, he took his anger out on the whole family.
He accused Lady Glamis of treason and witchcraft, claims that everyone around them knew were baseless. Regardless, she was burned at the stake on the grounds of the castle in July 1537 - in front of her 16-year-old son.
If that doesn’t justify her haunting the castle, what does.
Others claim the Grey Lady could be Marie de Guide, the Catholic mother and regent of Mary Queen of Scots. She found herself on the losing side of the Scottish Reformation, and died in June 1560.
Her corpse was kept at Edinburgh Castle for months, and supposedly walks the halls to this day.
The Unluckiest Prisoner
Sometimes labelled the Dung Man, one prisoner of Edinburgh Castle's dungeons met a very unfortunate end.
Imprisoned in the castle’s dark and rat infested dungeons, he made an attempt to escape by crawling into a wheelbarrow full of muck hoping to be carried from the castle and emptied out with a soft landing. Unfortunately for him, the wheelbarrow was thrown from the battlements instead, and he broke his neck on Castle Rock.
Several visitors to the castle have claimed to see a ghostly man, who smells of manure and attempts to push people off the battlements to meet the same end that he did. Talk about being bitter.
The Piper
As legend has it, there was an underground tunnel into the castle that was discovered in the depths of the fortress. A regimental bagpiper was sent down into the tunnel, playing his pipes as he went.
His comrades heard the instrument for some time, until it stopped. They went down to try to find him, but he was nowhere to be found.
The tunnels were sealed, and the faint sound of bagpipes underneath the Old Town are supposedly heard to this day.
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The Drummer
Another military apparition seen on the grounds of the castle are that of a headless drummer.
First seen in 1650, it was thought to be a warning sign after Oliver Cromwell attacked the castle soon after. Ever since, the sight of the headless drummer is considered a signal of danger.
The Black Dog
On the grounds of Edinburgh Castle sits a pet cemetery, apparently not unlike Stephen King’s version.
Regimental mascots or distinguished soldiers' pets were buried there, and according to some visitors one little pup wanders around above ground. Several have spotted a scruffy black dog trotting around, with a ghostly look.
As spirits go, this one wouldn’t be too bad to bump into.
The Leather Apron Man
One of the lesser seen apparitions, this one was spotted by a group of volunteers in 2001.
Working for a research project, 240 volunteers headed into the depths of Edinburgh Castle to see what experiences they may encounter. Several reported feeling a burning sensation on their arm, and feeling as if they were being watched.
They claimed to see a man in a leather apron walk through one of the doorways.
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