GLAMIS CASTLE, FORFAR

The Angus castle has often been described as one of Scotland’s most haunted locations and ghost hunters will be spoilt for choice, with a raft of ghoulish goings-on.

Resident spirits include the Grey Lady, believed to be Lady Janet Douglas of Glamis, who was burned at the stake for witchcraft in 1537. She is said to haunt the chapel. Another restless soul is a woman without a tongue, who it is claimed can be seen wandering the grounds pointing to her badly wounded face.

Then there’s King Malcolm II of Scotland who was wounded in battle near Glamis in 1034 and died in the Royal Hunting Lodge, which sat at the site of the present castle, leaving a large bloodstain. According to legend, no matter how many times the floor was scrubbed, said bloody mark would always reappear and eventually had to be covered with new boards.

Perhaps the nastiest of the castle’s supernatural crew, however, is Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford, aka Earl Beardie, who was known for his cruel streak and heavy drinking. The story goes that while visiting the castle, the earl flew into a rage because nobody would play cards with him on the Sabbath, saying he would happily play with the devil himself if need be.

Shortly afterwards a tall gentleman in a long dark coat knocked at the door and asked if the earl still needed an opponent. They retired to a room and played cards long into the night.

The story goes that a servant who peeked through the keyhole to watch their game was blinded. When the earl left to attend to the commotion and reprimand the servant for spying, he returned to find the room empty. The mysterious man – the devil – took with him Earl Beardie’s soul.

Many believe the earl remains in a secret room gambling with the devil for all eternity. Nor is that the only concealed space that Glamis Castle is said to boast. Another is claimed to hide a monster – the son of the 11th Earl of Strathmore – who was horribly deformed and still emerges from his makeshift prison to roam at night. Visit glamiscastle.co.uk