10 weird and spooky places to visit in Scotland

Ruggedly romantic Scotland has more than its fair share of mysterious landscapes, tales and myths to entertain visitors. If you’re seeking something scarier than the famed Loch Ness Monster, these 10 weird and spooky places to visit in Scotland won’t fail to send a shiver down your spine.

1. Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel gained widespread fame via The Da Vinci Code but this chapel, located around 6 miles from Edinburgh, has another claim to fame with its ghostly goings-on. The story tells of an apprentice mason whose master had been commissioned to carve a pillar in the chapel. The apprentice undertook the job himself while his master mason was away in Rome. The apprentice did an exceptional job but his master is said to have killed him in a fit of jealous anger and ever since there have been reports of a ghostly figure standing and crying next to what is now called the Apprentice Pillar. And this is not all of the supernatural goings on in the chapel: ghostly flames are said to flicker in the vault when a member of the Sinclair family, who founded the chapel, is going to die.

2. Flannan Isles lighthouse

This small group of islands in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland is probably most well-known for the mysterious disappearance of three lighthouse keepers in 1900. Nobody knows what happened to them and they simply disappeared from the Flannan Isles lighthouse which was discovered empty with the beds unmade and the clock stopped. There have been speculations that they were perhaps blown off the cliffs or washed into the sea by a large wave but their disappearance remains a mystery to this day.

3. Gilmerton Cove

Delve underground to explore the mysterious Gilmerton Cove located within Gilmerton in Edinburgh. This series of sandstone passageways and chambers was carved by hand and theories suggest the cove may have been an illegal drinking den, a place for Covenanters to hide, a smuggler’s lair, or even the resting place of the Holy Grail. The original purpose of Gilmerton Cove remains a mystery to this today.

4. Glamis Castle

Myths and legends abound at impressive Glamis Castle. It was the childhood home of the Queen Mother and featured in Shakespeare’s Macbeth but its residents are also rumoured to be supernatural, one of which is the Lady in White who is reputed to be the ghost of the Lady of Glamis who was burned at the stake on false witchcraft accusations. There is also supposedly a secret room where the Earl of Crawford plays cards with Satan. There are rumours of a monster whose rooms were bricked up, vampire children born to each generation and a host of other ghostly goings on. Eek!

5. Overtoun Bridge

Overtoun Bridge is associated with a dark tale for dog lovers as it is the location for a number of dog “suicides”. Around 50 dogs have jumped from the bridge without any prior warning to their owners. One theory is that the dogs who jump have been attracted by a smell, likely that of mink, and were unaware of the height of the bridge until it was too late.

6. Ring of Brodgar

Situated in the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and steeped in history, the Ring of Brodgar stone circle and henge is thought to date from 2500 BC to 2000 BC. The Ring of Brodgar is unusual in that its layout is a true circle and it is considered one of the best examples of a stone circle in the British Isles.

7. Culloden Moor

Culloden Moor is the site of the Culloden Battle where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s army was defeated by Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland. The battle lasted less than an hour but was incredibly bloody and this violent event seems to have stretched into the present, with people having reported hearing sounds of fighting on the moor, from battle cries to clashing swords. Ghosts are said to appear at the memorial cairns and it is reputed that birds don’t sing close to the cairns.

8. Rothiemurchus Forest

The beautiful Forest of Rothiemurchus in Inverness-shire is a picturesque place for walks but wander too deep and you may attract the attention of the spirit of the Chief of Clan Shaw who is buried in the forest. Some visitors claim to have been pursued by an invisible being and heard the sound of hooves chasing them as they fled.

9. Fyvie Castle

Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire is a remarkable sight to be seen but just as remarkable is the tale of Lilias Drummond. She died at the castle in 1601, with differing accounts claiming that she died of a broken heart or that her husband starved her to death. Her ghost reputedly carved her name on her husband’s windowsill when he remarried and the writing is still visible. Her ghost is said to appear when trouble is brewing for the owners of Fyvie Castle. A drummer and a trumpeter also haunt the castle.

10. Edinburgh

Edinburgh is undoubtedly the spookiest city in Scotland. The city is the location of the infamous Burke and Hare murders as well as Greyfriars Cemetery which is claimed to be haunted. However, Mary King’s Close is widely regarded as the most haunted place in Edinburgh. This street, which used to be bricked up due to an outbreak of the plague, is the source for several strange sightings and sounds. Edinburgh Castle is also reputed to have its share of ghosts, particularly that of a headless drummer boy.

Weird and wonderful wanderings

Mystery and myth combine in these destinations to provide a frightfully delightful visit. The striking landscapes of Scotland combined with the myriad of strange and intriguing tales will furnish you with memories of your Scottish travels that are guaranteed to haunt your dreams.