Plan a quick, car-free trip and reach Scotland’s spookiest sites easily by rail this Halloween.This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
With Halloween during half term, Trainline highlights five of Scotland’s most haunted locations, all easily reachable by train.(Image: Getty Images)
With Halloween falling during the school half term, families across Scotland are planning eerie adventures to celebrate the spooky season. Trainline has spotlighted five of the country’s most haunted locations that can be reached easily by rail, each promising a chilling experience just a short walk from the station.
Sarah Helppi, UK Country Director at Trainline, said: “Scotland does spooky season like nowhere else with its atmospheric landscapes and architecture, and with Trainline it’s simple to build a day out around them by train.
“Halloween is the perfect excuse to go exploring together: plan the whole trip in a few taps, get real-time info on the move, and arrive within minutes of Scotland’s most chilling legends – keeping things easy, car-free and fun.”
From ancient kirkyards and misty castles to eerie burial grounds, these are the top haunted spots to explore by rail this October.
Greyfriars Kirkyard Cemetery, Edinburgh
Arguably the most haunted site in the capital, Greyfriars Kirkyard is home to the infamous Mackenzie Poltergeist. Inside the locked Covenanters’ Prison, visitors on official night tours have reported sudden temperature drops, unexplained bruises and strange bursts of energy near the “Black Mausoleum.”
The stories centre on Sir George “Bluidy” Mackenzie, the 17th-century lawyer notorious for his persecution of the Covenanters, whose tomb stands close by. The kirkyard’s narrow vaults and weathered gravestones create an unsettling backdrop for ghostly encounters. How to get there: Take the train to Edinburgh Waverley; it’s an 11-minute walk from the station.
Greyfriars Kirkyard known as Edinburgh’s most haunted site(Image: Getty Images)Stirling Castle, Stirling
One of Scotland’s most famous fortresses, Stirling Castle is said to be haunted by the Green Lady, believed to have been a servant of Mary, Queen of Scots. Legend says she once saved the young queen from a fire, and her spirit is often spotted near the King’s Old Building, the Chapel Royal, and the former regimental quarters.
The castle’s hilltop views and echoing stone courtyards only add to its mysterious allure. How to get there: Alight at Stirling station and walk for around 16 minutes uphill.
Stirling Castle is said to be haunted by the Green Lady, a servant of Mary, Queen of Scots(Image: Getty Images)Glasgow Necropolis, Glasgow
Opened in 1833, this dramatic Victorian cemetery overlooks the city and holds more than 50,000 burials. Reached by the Bridge of Sighs behind the cathedral, it is filled with gothic monuments and legends of ghostly figures drifting among the tombs.
The site was even linked to the “Gorbals vampire” panic of 1954, a story still told on guided walks today.
The views from the top make the atmosphere even more haunting when the city lies beneath a mist. How to get there: Travel to Glasgow High Street; the gates are about 15 minutes away on foot.
Glasgow Necropolis at night in Glasgow, Scotland. The Glasgow Necropolis is a large Victorian-era cemetery.(Image: Getty Images)Linlithgow Palace, Linlithgow
Once the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, Linlithgow Palace is now an imposing ruin after being gutted by fire in the 18th century. Locals speak of a white-robed figure, said to be Mary of Guise, who roams the loch-side walkways.
Visitors and staff have also reported faint voices and footsteps echoing through the palace’s shadowy corridors. How to get there: Take the train to Linlithgow; the site is a seven-minute walk through the park beside the loch.
The Howff Burial Ground, Dundee
Hidden just off the High Street, this walled 16th-century cemetery is famous for its skull carvings, plague-era burials and reputation for paranormal activity.
Some visitors claim to have heard whispers or seen brief flashes of movement between the gravestones, especially at dusk. How to get there: Take the train to Dundee; it’s around a 12-minute walk through the city centre.
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Top Tips for Saving Money This October Half Term
Families can save with digital Railcards, including the Family & Friends Railcard, which gives one-third off adult fares and 60 per cent off children’s tickets. Other options such as the 16–25 or Two Together Railcard are ideal for couples or friends planning a Halloween trip.
Groups of three to nine people can also save up to a third with GroupSave when booking together. For eligible journeys, the Trainline app prompts users to apply the discount at checkout.