Ghost hunters trail

With Hallowe’en almost here, ghostbusters can now investigate Scotland’s bloody past using a new ghost trail created by VisitScotland.

From ghostly graveyards to creepy castles there are plenty of places spirits may lurk and visitors now have a handy map to get ghost hunting.

Myth, legend, landscape and history combine, taking in landmarks and lesser-known hotspots along the way. Spooks include the Ghost of Glen Coe, the Phantom Harpist of Inveraray Castle, two green ladies, Jacobite soldiers, a terrifying train and a headless drummer.

Scotland is arguably the home of Hallowe’en – or Samhain as it was originally known. The celebration of all things spooky originates from the ancient Celts’ celebrations and is based on their Feast of Samhain. The eve became known as All Saints’ Eve, All Hallows’ Eve, or Hallowe’en.

Scotland’s Ghost Trail features a collection of places believed to be haunted by soldiers, sailors, pipers, dogs and even trains so visitors can enjoy some fright-seeing on their next trip to Scotland.

One such hotspot is Glen Coe, reputedly haunted by the ghosts of Clan Macdonald.

On the 13 February 1692, one of the most harrowing incidents in Scottish history took place. In the early hours of the morning, government soldiers – who were posing as friendly visitors – killed 38 men, women and children from the Macdonald of Glen Coe clan. Many others died from exposure after fleeing into the bitter cold.

In recent times, people have reported hearing screams in Glen Coe or seeing re-enactments of the massacre, particularly around the anniversary.

Director of customer and cause at the National Trust for Scotland Mark Bishop said: ‘Scotland’s history and heritage provides plenty of stories that make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and we know that visitors love hearing about the darker side. Our Hallowe’en events, like the Stoats Creepy Crawl, are inspired by the stories of the places we protect and are all the more powerful for that.’

Explore castles, battlefields, graveyards and more and stay on the lookout for any unexplained goings on.

The macabre map will be available to download at www. visitscotland.com/ghosttrail and launches in time for the fearsome festivities.