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Apparition

Ghost of Mary, Queen of Scots

Beheaded by Elizabeth I in 1587, Mary Stuart haunts numerous locations: Fotheringhay, Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace. The executioner needed three blows—her lips moved for fifteen minutes after.

1587 - Present
Multiple locations, UK
500+ witnesses

Mary, Queen of Scots haunts many locations across Britain.

The History

According to historical records:

Mary Stuart:

  • Queen of Scotland
  • Rival to Elizabeth I
  • Imprisoned 19 years
  • Executed for treason
  • February 8, 1587

The Execution

The horror:

  • Three blows needed
  • First missed
  • Second struck back of head
  • Third severed
  • Lips moved afterward

Haunted Locations

She haunts:

  • Fotheringhay Castle (execution site)
  • Edinburgh Castle
  • Holyrood Palace
  • Bolton Castle
  • Other imprisonments

Edinburgh Castle

At Edinburgh:

  • Seen in Queen Mary’s apartments
  • Where her son was born
  • Cold spots
  • Apparition sightings
  • Strange feelings

Holyrood Palace

At Holyrood:

  • Her secretary Rizzio murdered
  • Blood stain won’t fade
  • Her ghost seen
  • In private chambers
  • Near the bloodstain

Fotheringhay

Where she died:

  • Castle now ruined
  • But presence felt
  • Execution site haunted
  • Village reports
  • Memory persists

The Ghost

Appearances include:

  • Regal woman
  • Tudor dress
  • Sometimes headless
  • Sorrowful demeanor
  • Dignified bearing

Sources