The castle is one of the UK’s most haunted sites and is said to be home to a host of restless spirits, with visitors reporting a range of ghostly encounters
Edinburgh Castle, perched on Castle Rock, is famous for its haunted history(Image: Getty Images)
October has arrived, and with it comes the official start of the spooky season. What better time to delve into the eerie depths of history and explore the macabre?
Perched atop Castle Rock, a renowned fortress in Scotland, Edinburgh Castle is infamous for its haunted past. With its imposing stature, it dominates the city skyline and holds centuries of history within its thick, ancient stone walls.
This iconic fortress, rumoured to be home to restless spirits, isn’t just a must-see tourist attraction; it’s also considered one of Britain’s most haunted sites.
The BBC even ranked it among the UK’s top five most haunted places, thanks to its long and spine-tingling history of ghostly encounters.
The castle is notorious for its haunted past(Image: Getty)
Upon entering, you might immediately notice a sudden drop in temperature. Strange knocks, whispers, and footsteps echo through the castle’s deserted corridors.
Visitors have reported feeling cold hands brushing their shoulders, seeing shadows flicker just out of sight, and catching glimpses of figures dressed in historical attire, like phantoms from centuries ago. Flickering lights seem to lure visitors further into the castle’s mysterious, shadowy corners, reports the Express.
Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline and houses centuries of history within its stone walls(Image: Getty)
The dungeons are widely regarded as the most terrifying part of the castle. The cold, damp stone walls seem to still resonate with the anguished cries of long-gone prisoners.
Visitors have reported hearing chains dragging across the floor, even when no one else is around.
One infamous prisoner reportedly tried to escape the castle’s dungeons in a wheelbarrow, only to tragically fall from the battlements.
Some visitors have even reported smelling the distinct scent of manure or seeing the ghostly figure of a man frozen mid-fall, caught between life and death.
These aren’t just ghost stories, many of the castle’s apparitions have names and detailed histories.
The Grey Lady, believed to be Janet Douglas who was executed in 1537, is said to wander the corridors, her mournful cries and soft sobbing sending genuine chills down the spines of those nearby.
The headless drummer silently patrols the battlements, his rhythmic drumming growing louder and faster as if signalling some impending danger.
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And the phantom black dog, with its glowing eyes, is said to prowl the grounds, terrifying anyone who crosses its path.
Other guests have reported spectral soldiers marching through the hallways, guards in ancient uniforms who disappear when approached, and torches flickering in deserted halls, as if the castle’s bloody battles are eternally replayed.
Travel experts Ski Vertigo have also highlighted some of the unforgettable experiences awaiting those brave enough to explore the fortress.
Even sceptics find Edinburgh Castle almost alive after dark. Visitors frequently spot shadowy figures, hear faint cries, or feel an unseen presence trailing closely behind them as they explore its haunted corners.