Regardless of whether or not you’re a believer in the paranormal, it never hurts to get into the ‘spirit’ of ghosts and ghouls especially around Halloween as this ancient festival was deeply traditional to Scotland even before being celebrated worldwide.
What’s more, there’s no better place to do this than Edinburgh as the Capital city holds a dark history that would send chills down your spine - and with ghost tours, occult spots and haunted buildings aplenty it’s the best place at the best time to explore its spooky underbelly. After all, locations like Greyfriars Kirkyard alone still contain at least half a million bodies packed beneath the thin crusts of its soil.
With all that said, here are ten of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations.
9. Banshee Labyrinth
A banshee (a female ghost that foretells death) is rumoured to haunt Banshee Labyrinth found on Niddry Street. It is said that this spirit befell a tragedy from Lord Nicol Edwards that was unjustifiably inflicted onto her. Guests of the pub have reported drinks flying off their tables and shrilling screams being heard in the underground corridors of the building. Photo: Submitted
10. The Scotsman Hotel
The Scotsman Hotel in Edinburgh opened for business in 2001, however the Edwardian building itself was built in 1905 and it was the home for The Scotsman newspaper for almost a century. The hotel is situated on the site of Strichen's close, which is where Bloody George Mackenzie, or the "Mackenzie Poltergeist", once lived. The area was plagued by unexplained fires that were thought to be caused by his enraged spirit. Photo: Tony Hisgett via Wikimedia Commons