Tulloch Castle

Tulloch Castle stands on a hilltop overlooking Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands, a striking fortress dating to 1466. Built by the Bain family and later owned by the Clan Davidson, the castle has served various purposes over the centuries before becoming a luxury hotel. Its thick stone walls, turrets, and grand rooms retain the atmosphere of medieval Scotland—along with at least one permanent resident who refuses to leave.

The Castle’s History

The name “Tulloch” derives from the Gaelic “tulach,” meaning hillock or small hill, referring to the castle’s elevated position. Over more than 500 years, Tulloch has witnessed:

• Clan warfare and Highland politics
• The Jacobite uprisings
• Transformation from fortress to family home
• Use as a hospital during WWII
• Conversion to a hotel in the late 20th century

Each era has left its mark on the building’s character, creating layers of history within the stone walls.

The Green Lady

Tulloch Castle’s most famous ghost is the Green Lady, a tragic figure from the 16th century who haunts the Pink Tower (also called the Princess Tower):

The Legend

The Green Lady is believed to be Elizabeth Davidson, daughter of the castle’s owner Duncan Davidson. According to legend, Elizabeth fell in love with a man her father considered unsuitable—possibly a commoner or member of a rival clan.

Duncan Davidson forbade the relationship and locked Elizabeth in the Pink Tower to prevent her from seeing her lover. Heartbroken and desperate, Elizabeth attempted to escape by climbing down from her tower window. She fell to her death on the rocks below.

Since that tragic night, Elizabeth’s spirit has haunted Tulloch Castle, particularly the Pink Tower where she was imprisoned.

Her Manifestations

The Green Lady appears in several forms:

Visual Sightings:

• A woman in a long green gown
• Walking the corridors near the Pink Tower
• Standing at windows, looking out
• Appearing in guest rooms, particularly in the tower
• Sometimes seen descending the main staircase

The Pink Tower: This room, now a guest accommodation, experiences the most activity:

• Guests waking to see her standing by the bed
• The sensation of someone sitting on the bed
• Cold spots despite central heating
• Objects moved overnight
• The rustle of fabric when no one is present
• An overwhelming sense of sadness

Other Phenomena:

• The scent of roses when none are present
• Footsteps in empty corridors
• Doors opening and closing
• Cold drafts from sealed windows
• The feeling of being watched
• Electronic devices malfunctioning

Guest Experiences

Numerous hotel guests have reported encounters with the Green Lady:

Room 8 (The Pink Tower): This room generates the most reports:

• “I woke at 3 AM to see a woman in green standing by the window”
• “Something sat on the edge of my bed during the night”
• “I felt a presence in the room, sad but not threatening”
• “The temperature dropped suddenly, and I heard someone crying”

Other Locations:

• Sightings on the main staircase
• Encounters in the Great Hall
• Manifestations in corridors near the tower
• Experiences in the castle grounds

Most witnesses describe the Green Lady as melancholy rather than frightening. She seems to be reliving her tragedy, trapped in an eternal loop of sadness and longing.

Other Paranormal Activity

Beyond the Green Lady, Tulloch Castle experiences additional phenomena:

The Great Hall

The impressive dining hall has its own activity:

• The sound of medieval feasting
• Phantom conversations
• Cold spots in specific locations
• The sense of being watched while dining
• Figures seen from the corner of the eye

The Lower Floors

The older sections of the castle, including former servant areas:

• Footsteps echoing through corridors
• The clatter of dishes and kitchen sounds
• Voices speaking in Scots Gaelic
• Shadows moving along walls
• Doors that won’t stay closed

The Grounds

The castle grounds hold their own mysteries:

• The Green Lady seen walking in gardens
• Unexplained mist formations
• Cold spots in specific outdoor locations
• The sense of something watching from the woods
• Reports of seeing Elizabeth falling from the tower (a residual haunting)

The Davidson Connection

The Davidson family owned Tulloch for centuries, and their presence permeates the castle. Some researchers believe that family tragedy—Elizabeth’s death, clan conflicts, losses in battle—created strong emotional impressions that the building retains.

Scottish castles often have “family ghosts,” spirits connected to the bloodline and history of the clan. The Green Lady represents this tradition—a Davidson daughter who cannot leave her ancestral home.

Staff Experiences

Hotel employees report regular encounters:

Housekeeping:

• Finding Room 8 disturbed after cleaning
• Sensing a presence while working alone
• Hearing footsteps following them
• Objects moved in predictable patterns

Night Staff:

• Security seeing figures on monitors that aren’t present in person
• Reception staff glimpsing the Green Lady crossing the lobby
• Bar staff hearing sounds from empty rooms above
• Maintenance workers refusing to enter certain areas alone

Long-term Employees:

Those who have worked at Tulloch for years develop a relationship with the Green Lady:

• Some report warning her when they enter her tower
• Others claim she’s more active during certain times of year
• Staff members have their own encounters they share quietly

Highland Ghost Tradition

The Green Lady fits into Scottish Highland ghost traditions:

• Green is a significant color in Celtic mythology
• Fairy folk and supernatural beings often wear green
• “Green Ladies” appear in multiple Scottish castles
• The color may indicate Elizabeth’s connection to the land and ancient traditions

Some folklorists suggest “green ladies” represent an older tradition than historical ghosts—perhaps pre-Christian spirits that attached to castle locations.

Modern Investigations

Paranormal investigation teams have studied Tulloch Castle extensively:

Evidence Gathered:

• Photographs showing anomalous mist and light formations
• EVP recordings with female voices speaking Scots Gaelic
• Temperature fluctuations measured and documented
• EMF spikes in the Pink Tower
• Video footage showing unexplained shadows
• Witness testimonies from credible sources

Room 8 Studies:

The Pink Tower has been subject to overnight vigils:

• Investigators report feeling watched
• Recording equipment captures unexplained sounds
• Temperature drops measured repeatedly
• Participants experiencing emotional responses (sadness, anxiety)
• Some report seeing the Green Lady directly

The Hotel Experience

Tulloch Castle embraces its haunted reputation. The hotel offers:

• Ghost tours of the castle
• Paranormal investigation weekends
• Historical talks about Elizabeth Davidson
• The option to book Room 8 specifically
• Staff who will discuss (discreetly) the hauntings

Many guests book specifically hoping for an encounter with the Green Lady. Others request rooms away from the Pink Tower. The hotel accommodates both preferences.

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Tulloch Castle rises above Dingwall as it has for more than 500 years, its towers and turrets silhouetted against the Highland sky. Within its walls, Elizabeth Davidson continues her eternal vigil, the Green Lady of Tulloch, forever young, forever heartbroken, forever trapped by the tragedy that ended her life. Guests staying in the Pink Tower may glimpse her green gown as she passes through their room, or feel her sadness hanging in the air—a reminder that love lost can echo through the centuries, and some spirits never find rest.