Haunted Castles of Scotland
Scotland's Haunted Castles
The Haunted Castles of Scotland are some of the spookiest in the world. From the most famous to the lesser known Scotland's haunted castles are plentiful. This is hardly surprising when you begin to learn about the history of Scotland which is, even at the best of times, embroiled in murder and intrigue, slaughter and conspiracy. While some of the most famous people in the world have their origins in Scotland it is also true that some of the world's most vile characters are also Scottish. From the cannibalistic Sawney Bean to the lovable Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, Scotland has produced some of the most interesting characters in human history.
Of all the haunted places in Scotland the castles of Scotland provide us with some of the most interesting. Maybe this is because of their spectacular surrounding or, more likely, because they were the places most associated with violent death. Mary Queen of Scotssecretary and close friend, David Rizzio, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the food of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, to forlorn unknown piper heard along the route from the castle, Edinburgh has a large number of interesting paranormal ghosts and ghouls. So, therefore we shall first take a look at Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh Castle
It is said that long ago during one of those, many periods, when the castle was undergoing building work, some workemen discovered the entrance to a hidden tunnel. The creepy tunnel seemed to lead deep below Castle Rock, on which Edinburgh Castle is built. None of the builders was willing to venture more than a few yards into the tunnel and, as each worker took it in turns to explore, they each felt more and more fear. Eventually it was decided that such a dangerous mission could only be carried out by the bravest of soldiers and the word went out for volunteers.
Now modern miracles of technology, such as GPS devices, were not available at that time so an ingenious plan was put into operation. A brave piper would progress slowly into the tunnel playing his pipes as loudly as he could as he progressed down into the bowels of the earth. Stepping into the tunnel the sound of his pipes could still be heard from a great distance. The soldiers above ground would listen carefully and try to determine where underground he was at the time.
As the piper disappeared from view the workmen shook with fear as his lights seemed to dim as he grew progressively smaller until he was gone. The plan was working exceedingly well and the soldiers above could easily tell that the piper was moving down the Royal Mile towards the Palace of Holyroodhouse. A line of soldiers with their ears firmly to the ground listened carefully while he slowly progressed. The piper piped so strongly that even those stood around watching the spectacle could clearly hear his expertly played tunes until suddenl, about halfway down the Royal Mile, the piper stopped playing.
Little more is known about that brave piper but it would appear that nobody was willing to venture below ground to investigate what had happened. Maybe the workmen had created such a panic that imaginations got the better of folk but they were certainly pleased to obey orders to seal up the entrance. Little more was said about the events of that day and it was soon forgotten about by the soldiers.
Maybe the workmen had been relaying the story to friends, maybe they had embellished the story while under the influence of alcohol. Maybe they even exaggerated the dangers or spookiness of the tunnel to hide their shame of not being brave enough to go check on the poor piper, but it would appear that the story would not die. Over time interest was lost in the story and it was virtually forgotten but, strangely, people started to report that, when they were about halfway down the Royal Mile they had become aware of the feint sounds of piping. Interestingly it would appear that most witnesses said that it sounded as though the sound was actually coming from underground.
It is said, that if you listen carefully, about halfway down the Royal Mile, you can occasionally hear the gentle sound of distant subterranean piping can be heard, even above the noise of Edinburgh's traffic and other noise. It has also been said that even those who are unaware of the story of the phantom piper have borne witness to the pipers soulful tunes.
Other Ghosts of Haunted Castles
The story of the phantom piper described above is not unique to Edinburgh Castle. Other haunted castles of Scotland, such as that at Gight Castle, have their own spooky piper. Over the coming winter months I will be adding more stories of the ghosts of Scotland's many haunted castles so, if you have enjoyed this story of the phantom piper please call back soon when I, hopefully, will have added a few more interesting spooky tales.