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Scotland wears its history proudly on its sleeve- castles perched on windswept hills, cobbled streets with centuries of stories, and inns that have outlasted kings and clans alike. I personally find that Scotland comes into itself in the Autumn and Winter months, embracing its gothic element as the nights draw in and the autumn mists roll over its hills and lochs. Leaves turn a golden amber as the grey skies and swirls of fog come rolling in for the season.
With such a dramatic past comes tales that are a little darker. For those with a love of history (and perhaps a taste for the uncanny), Scotland offers no shortage of places where luxury meets lore. From castles once besieged by monarchs to inns that have played host to drovers, soldiers, and outlaws, the past lingers not just in the walls, but in the shadows too. Whispers of ghostly figures in draughty halls, footsteps echoing in empty staircases, and rooms that never quite feel empty are all part of the charm.
These are our favourite luxury gothic stays in Scotland that also have a ghostly edge to their past.
Location: Gorebridge
Booking and info: Click here.
Regal and rich in history, Borthwick Castle has played a heavy hand in Scotland’s turbulent past. After the suspicious death of Mary Queen of Scots’ second husband, Lord Darnley, Mary and her third husband, the Earl of Bothwell, quickly became prime suspects. Fearing persecution from the nobles who wanted them captured, the couple fled Edinburgh in 1567 and sought refuge at Borthwick. Their sanctuary was short-lived: the castle was soon besieged, forcing Mary to disguise herself as a pageboy and escape through a window in the Great Hall. Though she slipped away that night, her freedom did not last. Captured soon after and imprisoned at Loch Leven, Borthwick would prove to be her final Scottish refuge before her ill-fated plea for support from Queen Elizabeth I.
Many believe Mary still returns to the castle, with numerous reports of her spectral figure drifting through the halls. But she is not the only spirit said to linger here. Borthwick’s infamous Red Room is at the centre of countless eerie tales, avoided by many visitors altogether. Echoes of disembodied voices, scratching behind the bed, and sudden cold spots have all been reported within its walls. Legend claims the room once housed a young village maid who, along with her unborn child, was murdered by the Borthwick lord who had fathered the baby. Some say her restless spirit has never left, while others whisper of an exorcism once performed to rid the room of its unwanted inhabitants.
The castle operates as an exclusive-use venue, meaning each booking enjoys private use of the full castle and its accommodations, making it the perfect getaway for celebrating with loved-ones.
Location: Moffat
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Auchen Castle truly feels like a fairy tale destination. Hidden away in the rolling countryside of Dumfries and Galloway, Auchen Castle looks every inch the romantic Scottish retreat. Originally built in the 13th century and later transformed into a grand baronial home, the castle has welcomed royalty, nobility, and countless guests over the centuries. These days it serves as a fairy tale wedding venue and hotel, but beneath the romance lies a spookier reputation.
One of the most enduring tales connected to Auchen is that of the Grey Lady, a spectral figure said to haunt its grounds. Many believe she was a bride-to-be who tragically died before her wedding day, and her spirit is often linked with the castle’s association with romance and marriage. Guests and staff have spoken of a faint figure drifting through corridors in a long dress, while others describe sudden cold gusts sweeping across otherwise warm rooms.
The castle grounds also add to its ghostly lore. Stories of strange lights flickering in the gardens, unexplained shadows on staircases, and whispers that seem to come from nowhere have long been shared among those who work and stay here. Despite these chilling encounters, the spirits of Auchen Castle are thought to be more sorrowful than sinister, their presence adding a touch of mystery to an otherwise enchanting stay.
Location: Edinburgh
Booking and info: Click here.
The Witchery is an absolute gem of the capital's town center. Located off the Royal Mile, the hotel acts as a neighbour to the famed Edinburgh Castle. Maybe it's the close proximity to the castle dungeons that helped the Witchery earn its title as one of the city's oldest and most haunted hotels. Edinburgh's old town has been historically rife with talks of ghostly occurrence. From the underground Mary King's Close of a forgotten city, the maze of alleyways where Burke and Hare once lurked, and the infamous Grassmarket, a.k.a. the go-to spot for a public execution. The Witchery, specifically, is only a short distance away from The Witches Well on the Castle Esplanade. This is precisely where James VI saw to the deaths of over 300 individuals as per his infamous Witch Trials. More people were put to death on Castlehill than the rest of the country. Of course, this left behind a residual echo of lives once innocently lost, and the hotel itself confirms that guests have been known to 'report unusual sightings in the dead of night'.
The Witchery has truly leaned into their gothic past through their dark wood interiors and eccentric furnishings. I'm sure James VI would have loved it, with regal décor flourishing throughout the hotel. Dining at the Witchery is a whole experience of its own (and you don't need to be a guest to pay the restaurant a visit!). Their menu pays homage to the historic roots of the hotel, and showcases timeless dishes that have remained classical staples throughout the ages.
Location: Bonnyrigg
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Dalhousie Castle Hotel is more than familiar with ghostly going-ons. On the surface, a smart, pristine fairytale venue and a bit beneath, a location rich with stories from the past. Found in Bonnyrigg, the castle sits on the outskirts of Edinburgh and will only take around half an hour to drive there from the city centre. First constructed in 1140, the origins of the building have seen centuries of action and has a lengthy history. As well as being home to the Clan Ramsay, Dalhousie has seen guests such as Edward I, Sir Walter Scott, and Mary Queen of Scots, and has even been under siege by Henry VIII himself.
Dotted with several secret staircases and passages, you can actually find a secret bar behind one of the bookcases in the library room. Another slightly eerie feature of the castle is the bottle-formed dungeon, making escape by prisoners pretty much impossible. What's so creepy I hear you ask? Well, the rope marks from lowering prisoners to the cold, stone depths are still visible on the stonework of the dungeon.
Dalhousie Castle is said to be home to, not one ghost, but several. Most frequently seen and reported is The Grey Lady, also known as Lady Catherine, the young mistress of one of the Ramsay clan lairds. Once the lairds wife found out about the goings-on occurring right under her nose, it is said she locked Lady Catherine in one of the castle turrets where she subsequently starved to death. Whether its the rustling of her dress, tapping on shoulders, or creepy visions at night- there have been numerous reportings of the Grey Lady's presence in the castle. One of her more amusing tricks is her disdain for bagpipes, ensuring all instruments be out of tune in her presence to deter the musical instrument being played around the castle.
The other big character is Sir Alexander Ramsay, whose remains were found a century and a half after he passed. Generally speaking, Catherine and Alexander seem pretty harmless apart from reports of the occasional hair pull!
Location: Dornoch
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Sitting proudly opposite the striking Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch Castle Hotel has stood since the 15th century and carries with it centuries of history. Originally built as the Bishop’s Palace, the castle has worn many hats, from a stronghold to a courthouse and even a prison before eventually becoming the hotel it is today. While guests now come for its warm Highland welcome, fine whisky selection, and cosy stone interiors, the building’s past lingers in more ways than one.
Over the years, many have reported strange happenings in and around the castle, particularly in the older wings. Footsteps echoing in empty hallways, faint whispers carried on the wind, and mysterious shadows crossing rooms have all been noted by visitors. One tale often told is of a spirit said to be linked to the old prison days, a restless figure seen pacing at night as though still trapped by the castle walls. Staff, meanwhile, sometimes mention the unnerving sensation of being watched while working alone- only to turn around and find no one there.
Despite the eerie accounts, Dornoch Castle balances its ghostly lore with the comfort of roaring fires, candlelit dinners, and the charm of a historic Highland escape. Still, those with a taste for the uncanny might find the castle’s after-dark atmosphere adds a memorable twist to their stay.
Location: Edinburgh
Booking and info:Click here.
Heading back to Edinburgh's city centre, The Scotsman Hotel sits on Southbridge, right next to the Waverley train station on Princes Street. Once home to The Scotsman newspaper, the building dates back to 1905 and still carries the grandeur of its press days. The now-hotel was once the headquarters of the operation, and housed the editorial offices, printing house, and advertisement spaces. Why is this so important? Well, to understand the origins of the ghosts that are said to still reside here, it's essential to know the building's history.
The hotel’s newspaper roots are everywhere; from the carved stonework to the grand marble staircase once climbed daily by reporters and editors. But behind the scenes, the basement levels tell a darker tale. The warren of tunnels and passageways that connect to the old printing presses are rumoured to be particularly active after dark, and many staff over the years have spoken about icy chills, flickering lights, and the sensation of being followed when no one is there. One of the most often-reported figures is said to be a printer who tragically lost his life in an accident with the heavy machinery. Guests and staff alike claim to hear the rhythmic clanking of presses long silenced, along with phantom footsteps echoing across the tiled corridors. There are even whispers of shadowy figures appearing in mirrors and vanishing just as quickly.
Though unnerving, the spirits here don’t appear to mean any harm. If anything, it’s as though the newspaper staff never quite downed tools, carrying on with their work in the afterlife. Whether you’re staying the night or just popping in for a drink, don’t be surprised if you catch the faint eery whiff of ink and paper.
Location: North Loch Lomond
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The Drovers Inn, found at Inverarnan on the edge of Loch Lomond, is one of Scotland’s most legendary inns- and not just for its age. Established back in 1705, the inn has welcomed travellers, cattle drovers, and even outlaws for over 300 years. With its tartan-draped interiors, taxidermy-strewn walls, and flickering candlelight, it already feels like stepping back in time. Add in its reputation as one of the most haunted pubs in the country, and it’s little wonder the Drovers has become a destination for ghost hunters as much as hikers.
Guests often speak of doors opening on their own, furniture shifting in the night, and ghostly figures drifting through the old bedrooms. One of the most famous stories involves the spirit of a girl who tragically drowned in the nearby loch, said to appear weeping in one of the rooms upstairs. Others mention soldiers and drovers from centuries past still making their presence felt, sometimes seen as fleeting shadows in the corridors.
Even with its spooky reputation, the Drovers Inn is as lively as ever, with hearty meals, music, and a roaring fire welcoming visitors each evening.
Location: Dingwall
Booking and info: Click here.
Tulloch Castle Hotel, tucked away in the town of Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands, is every bit the classic Scottish stronghold. With parts of the building dating back to the 12th century, it has seen clan feuds, royal visits, and even use as a hospital during World War II. Today, it’s a charming hotel with sweeping staircases, open fireplaces, and views across the surrounding countryside.
Tulloch Castle has a great claim to fame as home to one of the most well-recognised Scottish ghouls- The Green Lady. They've even gone as far as to name the hotel bar after their famous resident. The Green Lady is said to be the ghost of Elizabeth Davidson, the daughter of a 17th- century Scottish laird. The story goes, that Elizabeth personally caught her father in the act of an affair with one of their maids. Upon this shocking discovery, Elizabeth fled, tripped, and fell down a spiral staircase to her death. The Green Lady sightings that have occurred at the castle take a variety of forms, from mysterious balls of white light to slamming doors and cold patches across the estate. One of Tulloch’s most distinctive features is its grand oak staircase, which has stood for centuries. It’s here that guests most often encounter the Green Lady. Guests have reported seeing her spectral figure, cloaked in green, vanishing into the walls as quickly as she appears.
The hotel also has its fair share of chilling stories connected to its dungeons and former secret passages, relics of more turbulent times. Over the years, staff and visitors alike have spoken of sudden drops in temperature, doors opening and closing by themselves, and strange footsteps pacing the corridors at night when no one is around. Despite her eerie reputation, the Green Lady is generally thought of as a watchful presence rather than a menacing one. Still, for those checking in to Tulloch Castle Hotel, a midnight stroll around the old halls might bring more than just Highland charm...
We hope reading this article sparked A) some curiosity surrounding Scotland's gothic history and B) a cosy vibe that's left you longing after a getaway of your own. Head to our Meander Magazine for our other recommendations on great places to stay in Scotland, and don't forget to tag us in your adventures @meanderapparel!
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