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.
The ghost stories add a layer of mystery and human element to the castle's history. They remind us that the castle has been a place of many events and emotions. For example, the stories of soldiers' ghosts show the military significance of the castle throughout history.
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.
Some of them could be. There are many accounts from people who claim to have had strange experiences while in the vaults. These personal testimonies suggest that there might be something more to the stories than just made - up tales.
The vanishing piper is also quite popular. The idea of him disappearing in the tunnels while playing his pipes is both mysterious and a bit terrifying. It makes people wonder what could have happened to him down there in the dark.
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.
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 well - known Edinburgh ghost story is about the Greyfriars Bobby. While not a typical 'ghost' in the spooky sense, the loyal dog's story has an otherworldly feel. Bobby guarded his master's grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14 years until he died. People say his spirit still lingers there. Another is the Mackenzie Poltergeist in the Edinburgh Vaults. It's said that a man named George Mackenzie was buried there and his angry spirit haunts the vaults, causing strange noises and feelings of unease among those who visit.
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.
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.