Top Five Spookiest Spots in the Scottish Highlands

Scotland is home to a countless number of ghosts, and the Scottish Highlands are not only one of the most incredibly scenic places in the world, but they are also one of the spookiest destinations in Great Britain. The numerous battles that have taken place throughout history in Scotland are just part of the reason for the many stories of haunted spirits. Here is a look at ten of the spookiest places to visit in the most beautiful country on our planet.

Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle is located in one of the most wild and remote corners of the earth, sitting on the eastern shore of the Isle of Skye off Scotland's west coast. The island is rugged, yet stunning, looking as though an artist used his paint brush to create one of the most magnificent landscapes I have ever seen.

Dunvegan is the oldest inhabited castle in all of Scotland, and is the ancestral home of the Clan MacLeod, the same family who lives there today. The castle is also home to the Fairy Flag, given to the Clan for helping the Fairy Queen. The flag is said to have helped the MacLeods win several battles and is now stored in the castle's drawing room.

The drawing room is the location where beautiful ghostly music is heard, yet there is no source for the sound. Another ghost calls the South Tower home and is said to play the bagpipe, though the specter is not seen, only the sound of his bagpipe playing can be heard.

Knock Castle

While exploring the Isle of Skye, I came upon the ruins of Knock Castle. Though there isn't much left, its remains sit on a rocky headland on the edge of the Sleat Peninsula. The castle was a 15th century stronghold of the Clan MacDonald, and there is apparition here known as the "Green Lady," said to protect the cattle on the surrounding land as she did hundreds of years before.

Duntulm Castle

If those aren't spooky enough for you, Duntulm Castle is sure to frighten, and possibly terrify. Hugh MacDonald of the famed Clan MacDonald was imprisoned in the dungeon here. He tried to steal the lands from his own family, and as punishment, he was starved to death. As if that wasn't torture enough, he was fed only salted beef and given no water, dying a raving lunatic. It is said he tried to eat his own hands before he finally died, a horribly slow and cruel death.

It is said that the MacDonalds abandoned the castle because of its numerous ghosts, including Hugh, who was both seen and heard, screaming and raving like a mad man. Duntulm is in ruins, sitting at the edge of a steep rugged cliff on the north coast of Trotternish on the Isle of Skye.

I visited this area on a stormy, and rather blustery day. I thought I heard the howling winds, but it just might have been the screams of Hugh MacDonald.

Culloden Battlefield

Just outside the city of Inverness in the Highlands, is the location for one of the most famous battles in Scotland's history. And as you might imagine, the area is well known for is frightening ghostly encounters. On the anniversary of the battle, April 16, it is said that apparitions of the fallen soldiers suddenly appear on the landscape, and sounds of screams can be heard.

Some people have encountered the spirit of one of the Highlanders, who is said to be quite tall, and whispers the word, "defeated," to whomever he meets.

Fyvie Castle

Fyvie Castle is in the northeast Highlands in the village of Fyvie, north of Aberdeen. It was completed by William the Lion 900 years ago, in 1211. Lady Meldrum was one of the members of the Meldrum Clan who called the castle home back in its earliest years. When she died in the 13th century, she was laid to rest inside the castle, sealed in the wall of a secret room inside the Meldrum Tower.

Lady Meldrum had placed a curse on anyone that would enter the room, and in 1920, a construction worker who was involved in the castle's restoration, found her remains. Since then, there have been numerous unexplained events and strange noises. The ghost of Lady Meldrum is known as the "Grey Lady," and has been seen frequently over the last near century.

Fyvie Castle is also home to a "Green Lady" who scratched her name upside down on the window sill years after her death, and it is still there today. She is also known to leave the scent of roses where ever she goes.

K.C. Dermody is a freelance writer and a Featured Contributor for Yahoo!Travel. She has traveled to nearly all 50 states, and many countries worldwide, and has a passion for imparting what she has learned from her experiences to others.

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