Edinburgh Castle

Perched atop Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle has witnessed over 900 years of warfare, executions, and imprisonment. The dead have never left.

Centuries of Bloodshed

The castle has seen:

• Countless sieges and battles
• Witch burnings and executions
• Prisoners of war from multiple conflicts
• Royal intrigue and murder

The Headless Drummer

Since the 1650s, a phantom drummer has been heard before momentous events:

• Sighted before Cromwell’s attack in 1650
• Drums heard before both World Wars
• Witnesses describe a headless figure in period military dress

The drumming is said to warn of impending attack or significant change.

The Lone Piper

A young piper was sent into the tunnels beneath the castle to explore their extent. Playing his bagpipes, he ventured into the darkness—and never returned. To this day:

• Faint bagpipe music emanates from underground
• The sound moves beneath the Royal Mile
• He was never found

Other Spirits

The Phantom Dog

In the castle’s dog cemetery, visitors report:

• Feeling something brush against their legs
• A spectral dog walking among the graves
• Phantom barking at night

Lady Janet Douglas

Burned as a witch in 1537, her ghost wanders the castle grounds in flames.

The Dungeon Prisoners

French prisoners from the Napoleonic Wars still pace their cells:

• Scratching sounds from empty dungeons
• Apparitions in period clothing
• Cold spots that defy heating

Scientific Investigation

In 2001, Dr. Richard Wiseman conducted a study with 240 volunteers:

• 51% reported paranormal experiences
• Highest activity in areas with known ghost stories
• Results published in the British Journal of Psychology

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Edinburgh Castle remains Scotland’s most visited attraction—and most haunted.