Scotland, widely considered one of the most spooky countries in Europe, offers several chilling hotels with famous ghosts believed to haunt the premises. Those brave enough to stay the night can book in for an evening and await their fate, with four locations standing out for their paranormal reputations.
After centuries of clan warfare, bloody battles, plagues and witch trials, a deep layer of tragic history across the country has left behind ghost stories, folklore and active paranormal tourism. One of these famous locations even featured on the iconic 2000s reality programme, Most Haunted, as Yvette Fielding and her team explored this terrifying castle.
The Coylet Inn, Dunoon
Nestled on the shores of Loch Eck, this popular inn dates back to the 1650s and has kept many guests wide awake throughout the years. The former coaching inn is said to be haunted by the ghost of a young boy who drowned in the loch and has reportedly appeared before in bedroom 4.
Its paranormal reputation has grown so significant that ghost hunters and enthusiasts travel from across the globe to experience it firsthand. In 1994 Emma Thompson starred in a BBC programme documenting its hauntings.
The Drovers Inn, Argyll
Guests at another of Scotland's most celebrated pubs, The Drovers Inn, have reportedly been woken from their sleep by the agonised cries of a young man. The screams are believed to belong to Angus, a cattle driver who was robbed at the Inn before being brutally murdered when he attempted to seek revenge.
His body was reportedly strung up from an old tree behind the Inn, his blood drained in the same manner as the cattle stolen from him the previous evening. Situated on the northern shore of Loch Lomond, the pub remains a sought-after destination, where the spirits lurking within go far beyond those found behind the bar.
Culzean Castle, South Ayrshire
Culzean Castle is widely believed to be one of Scotland's most haunted locations with a series of alleged ghost sightings at the historical site. The 18th-century country house is said to be haunted by up to seven different ghosts, although the legend of the phantom bagpiper and the Grey Lady are the most famous spirits.
As the legend goes, a local piper and his loyal dog were sent to the sea caves beneath the castle to prove that they were haunted. When the piper walked underground, people above could hear the music echoing up through the castle. However, halfway through, the piping abruptly stopped, followed by the faint barks of his dog. Neither the piper nor his dog ever re-emerged.
It's claimed that the mournful sound of bagpipes can sometimes still be heard drifting from the caves, or a lone figure can be spotted standing in the mist. Meanwhile, the Grey Lady is believed to be the spirit of Lady Cassillis who was wife of the 10th Earl of Cassillis. According to local tradition, she tragically died after complications from giving birth.
Culzean Castle famously appeared in the first series of the British 2000s reality show, Most Haunted, as Yvette Fielding and her team investigated the spooky building.
Dalhousie Castle Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh
This luxurious castle hotel near Edinburgh has built its reputation on its premium offerings. Visitors seeking accommodation close to the capital have frequently praised its excellent service.
Yet, it also conceals a dark history with a former resident, young Lady Catherine, who died of a broken heart aged just 16, and is still said to haunt the hotel's corridors. Banished to the castle tower after falling in love with one of the stable hands, her heartbroken spirit is still regularly spotted searching for her lost love.
She's been photographed several times, including in one eerie image from a wedding in 2004. Many guests have mistaken her for a member of staff in her grey dress, until she vanishes through a locked door.
