10 Most haunted castles in Scotland

Wind rushes in from the North Sea and whistles through the weathered stones, seabirds circle and cry overhead, while the waves crash against the cliffs. Tantallon Castle, perched on a dramatic rocky crag overlooking the Bass Rock, feels like the perfect setting for a ghost story.

The castle has witnessed centuries of battles and sieges. Look towards the battlements and imagine the ruins alive with soldiers and noble families. But also keep an eye out for the mysterious figure of the Green Lady, reported by visitors as appearing in photographs taken with the castle walls, adding to its reputation as one of Scotland's eeriest historic sites. You might find yourself wondering whether that movement in the corner of your eye was really just the wind.

Things to do nearby: Tantallon Castle sits near the seaside town of North Berwick in East Lothian. While in the area you can visit the Scottish Seabird Centre which offers boat trips to the immense Bass Rock, explore sandy beaches or discover the other atmospheric ruin of Dirleton Castle which has its own Green Lady.

Plan a visit to Tantallon Castle

Rising from the shores of the Firth of Forth, Blackness Castle is dark and imposing, with its thick walls and stark towers giving it an eerie atmosphere. Often nicknamed ‘the ship that never sailed’ because of its distinctive shape, Blackness has served as a fortress, royal residence and prison.

Inside, you'll find creaking doors, narrow passages, and shadowy chambers with daylight filtering only through tiny windows. Its dark past has inspired stories of ghostly presences lingering within the castle’s stone corridors. Legend has it that a phantom knight in armour guards the prison tower, occasionally leaping out on visitors and giving them a fright. Will you look twice at a darkened doorway before continuing deeper into the castle?

Things to do nearby: Located on the shores of the Firth of Forth in West Lothian, the castle is close to Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Visitors can also explore Linlithgow’s historic town centre and enjoy scenic walks around Linlithgow Loch. 

Plan your trip to Blackness Castle

At first glance, Falkland Palace feels grander rather than gloomy, with its elegant Renaissance architecture and historic gardens. But stay for a while exploring its ornate rooms and you'll discover a darker side to its history.

A favourite country residence of the Stewart kings, imagine kings and queens who once lived here. At night-time, candles illuminate the rooms, a cold draft sweeps through an open gallery, and a window is blown shut by the wind. Spooky? Today, visitors and staff have occasionally reported unexplained footsteps and mysterious sightings within the palace rooms – especially the Tapestry Gallery. It’s haunted by the ghost of a lady emitting a grey glow, mourning her beloved dead soldier, who rode off into battle never to return. Will you dare to visit?

Things to do nearby: The idyllic village of Falkland in Fife is famed for being an Outlander filming location and is also close to the Lomond Hills Regional Park where you’ll find scenic walking routes and sweeping views.  

Discover Falkland Palace

The foreboding Hermitage Castle has an eerie presence. Set amongst the remote hills of the Scottish Borders, its monolithic stone walls rise from the wild, open landscape.

Built in the 13th century to control access to the border between Scotland and England, the castle was later dubbed the ‘guardhouse to the bloodiest valley in Britain’. Step through the old entrance and you'll instantly feel the outside world slip away. Listen to the silence echoing across its walls as you explore, while the few small windows give this building a sinister aspect with tales of occult rituals and heinous torture unfolding inside. No wonder restless spirits are said to reside within… is every sound you hear really coming from the wind?

Things to do nearby: Explore nearby abbeys in Jedburgh and Melrose, visit charming market towns such as Hawick, or enjoy walking routes through the rolling hills of the Scottish Borders. 

Experience Hermitage Castle

With its turrets, towers and romantic setting along the picturesque Loch Fyne in Argyll, Inverary Castle looks as if it belongs in a fairytale.

But behind the elegant facade, in the year 1644, as civil war raged throughout Britain, Inveraray Castle was ransacked and burned. The brutal attack saw many lose their lives including the castle’s harp player – and to this day many attest that they have heard ethereal harp music in the castle library. Despite this grim fate, the piper is far from a menacing presence, with those who have encountered him describing a charming apparition with impeccable manners. Listen as you wander through the rooms for the faint sound of music drifting through the corridors... can you hear it?

Things to do nearby: The picturesque town of Inveraray sits on the shores of Loch Fyne. You can explore Inveraray Jail, stroll along the waterfront or use the town as a base to discover more of the surrounding Highlands and islands. 

Explore Inverary Castle

When you approach Fyvie Castle in Turriff, its grand Baronial towers begin to peer through the canopy of trees. By day, beautiful and romantic – by night, mysterious and spooky.

Few castles in Scotland have as many ghost stories attached to them as Fyvie Castle. The most famous is the spirit of Dame Lilias Drummond or Green Lady. Imprisoned in the castle by her husband in the 16th century, her green-clad spirit has been seen wandering the corridors and grand staircase ever since. Visitors and staff have reported strange footsteps echoing through the halls and mysterious sounds in empty rooms. Could the Green Lady still be searching for justice centuries later? Perhaps it's just the old building settling.

Things to do nearby: Fyvie Castle lies along the North East Castle Trail, which links several impressive castles across the region. Visitors can also explore nearby Haddo House. 

Visit Fyvie Castle

Follow the North East Castle Trail

On the rugged west coast of Orkney, the former 17th century mansion house of Skaill sits within a lonely, windswept landscape. Inside, it feels as if time has stopped – its rooms filled with historic furniture, family portraits and intricate decorations passed down through generations. As you move from room to room, floorboards creak underfoot, the wind howls, and something sends a shiver down your spine.

Skaill House has been the source of countless reports of poltergeist activity, ranging from disembodied footsteps late at night to peculiar sights, doors opening and closing of their own accord, and objects moving by themselves. Could the culprit be the spirit of Bishop George Graham forever watching over the treasure he hid on the premises, or could it have more ancient roots in the Norse burial ground unearthed beneath the floorboards in the 1990s? Pay a visit and decide for yourself.   

Things to do nearby: Skaill House is located close to some of Scotland’s most remarkable prehistoric sites including the neolithic village of Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar and the Standing Stones of Stenness. 

Visit Skaill House

High above Dollar Glen, Castle Campbell proudly emerges from woodland and steep-sided hills. As you follow the path, leaves gently rustle overhead and birds call, turning your head to the skies and sending a spine-tingling feeling over you.

Long before it became the stronghold of Clan Campbell, the fortress was known as ‘Castle Gloom’, a name thought to reflect the deep gorges and shadowy ravines surrounding the site. Local legend tells of the daughter of a Pictish king imprisoned in the ancient fort on which the castle now stands, after promising her hand in marriage to a lowly commoner. Her tragic story is said to have inspired the name for Burn of Sorrow, which cascades like tears down the glen on either side of the castle.

Things to do nearby: Campbell Castle is close to many scenic walking routes found in the Forth Valley region which takes in the Ochil Hills and Dollar Glen.

Visit Campbell Castle

The crumbling towers of Balvenie Castle tell stories without saying a word. Stories of ancient battles, royal ambition, and secrets of those who called it once their home.

One of Scotland’s oldest stone castles, it’s witnessed centuries of intrigue and conflict, including occupation by Mary Queen of Scots. Visitors have long described an eerie stillness within its cavernous shell, with reports of unexplained sounds and shadowy figures – including a white lady and horses – glimpsed in the castle’s towers and courtyards after dusk. Is it simply the atmosphere of a powerful, ruined medieval stronghold, or could echoes of the past still linger here?

Things to do nearby: Balvenie Castle sits close to the whisky town of Dufftown in Moray Speyside, one of Scotland’s most famous whisky regions, and the Cairngorms National Park. 

Visit Balvenie Castle

Huntingtower Castle, also known as the House of Ruthven, began as two separate tower houses, standing side by side, divided by a space wide enough for a horse and carriage. But these two separate buildings were eventually joined to form one larger home. Why?

Scotland has no shortage of tragic maiden ghost stories, but the Green Lady of Huntingtower Castle is among the most enduring. The Green Lady in question is said to be the spirit of Lady Barbara Stewart. According to legend, she fell in love with a man her family disapproved of and was imprisoned in one of the castle towers. When their secret meetings were discovered, she attempted a desperate escape by leaping from the tower window, falling to her death. The two towers were later connected by a building to prevent such an escape from ever happening again. Her apparition is said to be either an omen of impending death or good fortune, depending on the witness. If you hear something moving... pause before you turn around.

Things to do nearby: Located just outside of Perth, make your way afterwards to Scone Palace, the traditional crowning place of Scotland's kings before heading to the stunning Perth Museum to see the original Stone of Destiny.

See inside Huntingtower Castle

This list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.