One of the strongest and most significant of castles in Scotland is Edinburgh Castle, which is situated on an impressive rocky foundation , thick in the historic heartbeat of the country. The kings and queens of Scotland have long called Edinburgh Castle their home. The castle situated in Midlothian has seen its fair share of inhabitants since the 9th century. Over time, the castle has undergone a wealth of upgrades that add to the overall allure of the original construction.
Over the years, the Edinburgh Castle wore many different hats. Sometimes, it was used as a palace, while other times it was a strong fortress. The castle has also been called a chapel, barracks, and even a war memorial at one time. It is also at the castle that the Scottish crown jewels are safely kept away. Inside of the Crown Room, one would find the displays of ancient Honors of Scotland , the Scepter, the Crown, and the Sword of State. The Great Hall houses an assortment of armor and weapons dating back to medieval days.
When it comes to hauntings at Edinburgh Castle, it is said that a ghostly drummer claims the grounds. However, few have caught sight of the ghost, as it is believed to appear only when the castle is facing a threat. The first report of the ghost drummer came before Cromwell’s attack on the castle in 1650. The ghost is said to have appeared as a young lad with no head. The identity of the boy and why he chose to haunt the castle is unknown.
Other ghosts said to wander about Edinburgh Castle are believed to originate from the dungeons that held prisoners. The captives were often tortured and often lost their lives due to their ordeal. The ghostly victims supposedly haunt the dungeons and have been known to appear as colorful orbs that visitors have captured with their cameras.
One tale of a desperate prisoner kept in the castle involves him hiding in a dung barrow. He had hopes of being carried out of the castle and closer to where he could escape. However, the man died when the barrow was emptied down the rocky slopes of the castle. He plummeted to his death. Visitors of the castle have reported the strong scent of dung and claims that a ghostly man attempts to push them from the battlements.
During a research project conducted by a Dr Richard Wiseman in 2001, it was proven that the presence of something odd was found in the Edinburgh castle dungeons. A study involved the reactions of people who paid a visit to the castle and had no previous knowledge of haunted ghost tales. However, they claimed to have felt sensations when traveling to some parts of the castle.