Haunted Locations

Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is situated on top of atop the Castle Hill in Stirling. It is one of the largest and most significant castles in Scotland. The site is surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs and was strategically positioned to guard the crossing of the River Forth.

Ghosts & Spirits

  The most active sighting is of the Highland ghost. Staff and visitors have often seen his apparition, often wearing a full traditional Scottish costume. Mistaken for a tour guide on many occasion, visitors have been shocked when they approach him, he simply turns and walks away, vanishing in front of their eyes.

  In 1935, the Highland ghost was apparently by an architect who was carrying out some surveying for upcoming building work. This phantom image also appears on the negative too.

One of the most popular of Stirling's ghosts is the Green Lady. It's believed that she was a servant to Mary Queen of Scots. One night the Queen was asleep in her chamber when her bed curtains were set alight by a candle at her bedside. The servant saved her life, only she lost her own in the process. Ever since her death, the Green Lady has been seen throughout the castle, possibly still looking to serve the Queen.

  Some stories suggest that Mary Queen of Scots herself is said to still haunt the castle. She has been linked to the ghost of the Pink Lady. She's seen wearing a flowing pink gown, often walking from the castle to the nearby Church of the Holyrood. Other stories suggest that the Pink Lady is a widow looking for her husband who lost his life during battle.

  Other reports are of phantom footsteps in the Governor's Block, believed to emanate from one of the empty chambers upstairs.

History

Stirling Castle has stood since the 12th century. Most of the current buildings of the Castle date from the late 15th and 16th centuries and were built between 1496 and 1583. The castle was home to Scottish Kings and Queens from the days of Alexander I, through James IV, James V, until the Union of the Crowns under James VI. Numerous Scottish Kings and Queens have been crowned at Stirling, including Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1543. The castle outer defences were built in the early 18th century. In 1746, Charles Edward Stuart, 'Bonnie Prince Charlie', and his Jacobite force unsuccessfully tried to take the castle. From 1800 until 1964, Stirling Castle was owned by the British Army and used as a barracks. During that time, many alterations were made - the Great Hall became an accommodation block; the Chapel Royal became a lecture theatre and dining hall; the King's Old Building became an infirmary; the Royal Palace became the Officer's Mess. These buildings are now being restored to their original state. Some new buildings were also constructed, including the prison and powder magazine in 1810. Stirling Castle is still the headquarters of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although the regiment is no longer garrisoned there.

There is a gatehouse providing entry from the outer defences to the Castle that originally extended across the whole width of the Rock. At either end were rectangular blockhouses, and in the centre, flanking the gateway, were four round towers with conical roofs. Of these structures round the entrance, still standing today is the southern blockhouse (the Prince's Tower), the adjoining curtain wall, the gateway and lower portion of the inner towers, and parts of the outer towers, and parts of the northern blockhouse. To the left of the gatehouse is the impressive Palace block with a mixture of renaissance and gothic detail. The ceiling of the King's Presence Chamber was originally decorated with famous portrait roundels known as The Stirling Heads. These were removed in 1777, and some are preserved in the castle and some in other museums. Beyond the Palace block is the Great Hall. The Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, and is now managed by Historic Scotland. The castle is open to the public and has a Cafe and shops available for visitors. The regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders is located within the castle.