Best haunted places in Scotland

06/10/2025

Reading time: 3 min

Ahhh, Scotland… if there is one destination that fits perfectly with Halloween vibes and autumn atmosphere, it's this one! Between its misty landscapes, rain-soaked cobblestones and castles with an unsettling charm, you instantly feel like you've stepped into a movie set.

And as you know, here we love mixing travel and pop culture. So if you share the same passion, feel free to subscribe to the newsletter: I regularly post about these themes, and you won't miss any of our trips and updates.

Anyway, for those lucky enough to fly to Scotland in October and looking for a good dose of chills (or a deliciously creepy atmosphere), I've found the perfect spots for you.

So, ready to make your getaway spooky?

1. The ghosts of Glamis Castle

Price: around €20

Glamis Castle is probably one of the most mysterious and haunted places in Scotland. Its reputation goes back centuries, even to Shakespeare's time: legend says the real Macbeth murdered King Duncan here, and that his spirit still haunts the castle, opening and closing doors at night. In King Malcolm's room, a blood stain is said to have marked the floor, impossible to remove despite repeated cleaning, until it was covered with wooden boards.

But Glamis goes far beyond that. The castle is filled with secret rooms and terrifying stories. One of the darkest legends tells of an earl who locked a group of the Lindsay family inside a room, condemning them to die behind those walls. For centuries, muffled cries and strange noises were said to echo through the corridors. One day, an earl dared to open a mysterious door where these sounds were coming from… what he saw made him faint, and the room was immediately sealed. He never spoke of it again.

The castle chapel is also known for apparitions. Visitors have repeatedly seen the figure of Lady Janet Douglas, "the Lady in Grey", wrongly accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake in the 16th century. Her ghost, dressed in grey, is said to still come and pray there. Even the Queen Mother herself reportedly witnessed this sighting.

And that's not all: vampires, monsters, a woman without a tongue… the list of spectres and creatures linked to Glamis seems endless. Today, the castle can be visited, majestic yet unsettling, and remains a must-see for anyone seeking a thrill in Scotland.

Tickets: https://tickets.glamis-castle.co.uk/#eventcalendar_1|681

Visitor testimonies: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ghosts/comments/1f9sskc/first_time_seeing_ghosts_of_glamis_castle/

2. The Edinburgh Vaults

Price: around €25

Beneath South Bridge in Edinburgh lies a labyrinth of mysterious vaults, built in 1788. Originally, these rooms served as workshops, taverns, and storage spaces for merchants. But soon, humidity and darkness made them uninhabitable, and they were abandoned to society's outcasts. The vaults then became a refuge for vagrants, smugglers, illegal whisky distillers, and even prostitutes.

Over time, darker activities moved in. Murderers hid their victims there, and body snatchers stored freshly dug-up corpses before selling them to medical schools. In overcrowded and unhealthy Edinburgh, the fear of a loved one disappearing onto a dissection table was very real.

The Vaults were rediscovered and cleaned in the 1990s. Since then, they have been partially opened to the public through guided tours… which promise plenty of chills. The BBC even named them the most haunted place in Great Britain.

Many spirits are said to still inhabit these underground chambers. Visitors report seeing the "Aristocrat", a bearded man in a hat often seen leaning against a wall. A darker presence, described as a man in a dirty blue coat, is said to be aggressive and threatening, sometimes shouting "Get out!".

There is also a woman in black, veiled in mourning, who conveys waves of sadness and grief (women reportedly feel her presence more strongly).

Visitors also mention a little boy, Jack or James, with blond curly hair, moving from room to room watching guests. But the most feared figure is Mr. Boots, known as "The Watcher". His footsteps echo through the corridors, his breath is felt behind you, and some even claim to sense him in the White Room, which he seems to protect.

Even today, thrown stones, oppressive sensations and apparitions continue to fuel the legend. Entering the Vaults means diving into a macabre past of misery, crime, and ghosts… a truly unique experience, reserved for the brave.

Tickets: https://www.visitscotland.com/info/tours/the-vaults-tour-6857aaf8

Visitor testimonies: https://www.reddit.com/r/Paranormal/comments/1g642ho/edinburgh_vaults/ and https://www.reddit.com/r/Thetruthishere/comments/gf013b/anyone_else_have_crazy_shit_happen_to_them_in_the/

3. Glasgow Necropolis

Price: around €23

The Glasgow Necropolis, literally "a city of the dead", sits on a green hill covering 15 hectares and offers a spectacular view over the city, the Clyde Valley, and the surrounding countryside. Since its creation, more than 50,000 people have been buried there.

A guided tour (book in advance) lets visitors discover fascinating legends and surprising stories.

Among them is the tale of a September night in 1954 when police officer Alex Deeprose found over 200 children armed with stakes and knives: they were taking part in a vampire hunt linked to the legendary Gorbals Vampire, "the iron-toothed vampire".

The Necropolis is also known for ghostly sightings: a lady in white, a boy seen near monuments, and statues that seem to change expression. Disembodied voices have been heard by some visitors, reinforcing its haunted reputation.

Book your guide here: https://www.getyourguide.com/glasgow-l438/glasgow-necropolis-small-group-tour-with-local-guide-t991027/?ranking_uuid=e9453082-141a-4516-9cf9-bf7798c41879

4. Skaill House

Price: around €12

Skaill House is located in Sandwick on Mainland in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It is a historic manor built on the Neolithic site of Skara Brae and Skaill Bay.

Major Malcolm Macrae decided to renovate the house and discovered human remains under the floor. Excavations revealed at least 15 additional skeletons dating back to a Celtic people from the late Iron Age and early Middle Ages.

While living there with his dog, Macrae experienced unexplained footsteps in the corridors with no visible presence. These phenomena are attributed to the ghost of Ubby, a man who built a small island in Skaill Lake by stacking stones during his lifetime. He died during one of his journeys and is said to have chosen Skaill House as his eternal home. Dogs are particularly sensitive to his presence, growling or howling near him, suggesting Ubby did not like dogs when he was alive.

Visitors have reported feeling someone sitting at the edge of the bed before vanishing instantly, while others have experienced strange noises, doors opening and closing on their own, and unusual smells such as cigarette smoke in the attic office with no source found. Despite these events, the spirits of Skaill House are said to be rather friendly. Would you dare to visit this historic building and perhaps feel these presences?

Booking: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/skara-brae/

5. Crathes Castle

Price: around €20

Located in the picturesque hills of Aberdeenshire, Crathes Castle is a stunning 16th-century structure known for its impressive architecture and ghost stories. It attracts many visitors not only for its beauty but also for its mysterious legends.

Among the most famous apparitions is the "White Lady", said to wander through corridors and staircases searching for someone or something lost. Visitors' accounts add to the castle's mystical aura, mentioning footsteps echoing through empty halls and unexplained whispers, especially on dark nights.

Guided tours are available for those who want to explore the castle and uncover its secrets. These visits offer a deep dive into its fascinating history while revealing its darkest mysteries. Paranormal enthusiasts will especially enjoy learning about the ghost stories that make this place so unique.

Booking: https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/crathes-castle

So, shall we go?

Scotland is a captivating destination promising adventure and unique discoveries. From mysterious castles to breathtaking landscapes and fascinating legends, every corner of the country invites exploration.

So, did this make you want to go? Paranormal stories are far from rare in this country. If you've had any paranormal experiences in Scotland, feel free to share them in the comments!

For those looking to plan their next trip to Scotland, don't hesitate to explore the site and let New Escapade help you organize your dream journey.

Ana from New Escapade