What are some famous Edinburgh, Scotland ghost stories?

Some Edinburgh ghost stories may have a basis in real events. For example, the history of the Edinburgh Vaults was a real and often harsh one. There were poor living conditions, crime, and disease in those areas, and it's possible that the so - called hauntings are remnants of the strong emotions and tragedies that occurred there. The Greyfriars Kirkyard has a long and well - documented history, and the stories about the Covenanters' Prison could be related to the real suffering of those people.

One famous Edinburgh ghost story is about the Greyfriars Bobby. It's said that Bobby, a Skye Terrier, faithfully guarded his master's grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14 years. People believe his spirit still lingers there. Another is the story of the Mackenzie Poltergeist in the underground vaults of Edinburgh. There have been numerous reports of strange noises, cold spots, and even physical attacks on visitors in those vaults.

One famous story is about a phantom figure seen in the vaults. It's often described as a shadowy apparition that seems to move quickly through the passages. Some believe it could be the spirit of a long - dead criminal who was once hidden there.

The Edinburgh Dungeons are full of spooky tales. There's a story about a headless apparition. It is believed to be the spirit of a criminal who was beheaded long ago. Many visitors have reported seeing a shadowy figure moving around where the executions took place. It's a really creepy experience for those who believe in such things.

The most famous ghost story at Edinburgh Castle has to be that of the Headless Drummer. His drumming has been heard on numerous occasions, usually preceding some sort of calamity at the castle. Then there's the Grey Lady. She is thought to be a ghostly figure that haunts the hallways. There are also reports of seeing the spirits of soldiers who once defended or were imprisoned in the castle. These stories add to the castle's allure and mystery, and they also give a sense of the castle's long and eventful past filled with war, death, and sorrow.

A well - known Edinburgh ghost story involves the Witchery by the Castle. There are rumors of a headless drummer boy being seen in the area. It's thought to be related to the building's history. The building was once part of a complex with a dark past. Some say that at night, you can hear the faint sound of a drum being beaten by the headless apparition. And there are also tales of a female ghost who wanders the halls, perhaps a victim of some long - forgotten tragedy.

In the Greyfriars Bobby story, the most terrifying element might be the dog's unwavering loyalty even in death. It gives a sense of something that can't be broken, not even by death. For the Mackenzie Poltergeist, it's the physical manifestations like being touched by an unseen force. It makes you feel vulnerable and at the mercy of the unknown.

The Mackenzie Poltergeist in Edinburgh is quite famous. The story goes that Sir George Mackenzie was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. His tomb became associated with strange happenings. People claim to have been scratched, pushed, and felt an overall sense of unease in the area around his tomb. It is said that Mackenzie was a rather cruel figure in life, and his restless spirit seems to haunt the place even now. Many ghost tours in Edinburgh include a visit to this spooky location.

The Edinburgh Dungeon has many stories that are both scary and well - known. It's a place that re - creates the darker history of the city. There are stories of torture and execution that took place there. The actors in the dungeon do a great job of bringing these stories to life, making it a really spooky experience. And then there are the stories of the haunted closes (narrow alleyways) in Edinburgh. People say that the spirits of the past are trapped in these small, dark spaces and can be felt by those who pass by.

There are tales of a piper who was sent into the tunnels beneath the castle to explore. He played his pipes as he went so people above could track his progress. But then the piping suddenly stopped. He was never seen again, and some say his ghost still wanders the tunnels.