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Ghosts and
Monsters
Your Detailed Itinerary
Day 1
trumpeter. From Fyvie, take rural
roads cross-country north-east to
reach Fraserburgh, home of the
Start your spooky encounter in
unique Museum of Scottish
Edinburgh in The Real Mary King’s Lighthouses. Adjacent is the 16th
Close. Your tour guide will show
century Wine Tower, from where,
you where some of the apparitions according to local legend the lovehave appeared in this atmospheric struck daughter of the local laird
old setting. Then head north via
jumped to her death. However, it is
the Forth Bridge and Dundee, for
the piper she fell in love with who is
the A92 and Montrose.
said to play below the tower – but
only on dark and stormy nights!
At the north end of the town, the
old aerodrome was the scene of a
fatal accident involving a pilot who
fell out of a plane (without a
parachute), precipitating the first of Head west along the coast of the
several ghost stories involving
Moray Firth, taking the A95 west of
airmen here. Visit the heritage
Banff for Speyside via Keith and
museum in one of the original
Grantown-on-Spey. This leads on to
buildings for more information.
the edge of the Cairngorms by
Aviemore. Overnight here for a
closer view of Ben Macdui, secondhighest mountain in Scotland, and
the haunt of the tall and fearful
Continue north along the coast for
Grey Man of Ben Macdui.
Aberdeen and ‘Castle Country’. A
signposted castle trail will point you
to some of its finest castles,
including Fyvie Castle. Part
fortress, part stately home, it is also Take the A9 north via Inverness for
the setting for a number of
Golspie and visit Dunrobin Castle,
hauntings, including a phantom
which resembles a French chateâu
Day 3
Day 2
Day 4
To search over 7,000 quality assured
accommodations, from bed and breakfasts
to castles go to: www.visitscotland.com
with its fairytale turrets. The castle's
Seamstress's Room is thought to be
haunted by the ghost of a girl who
fell to her death trying to escape
out of the tower window. It is said
that you can still hear her weeping
and wailing.
Day 5/6
Return to the A9, continuing north
for Scrabster, ferry port for Orkney.
Skaill House, by Skara Brae, on the
main island is a handsome 17th
century mansion house with
notable ghostly goings-on.
Overnight on Orkney with the
option of staying an extra night to
explore the island.
Day 7
Return to Scrabster and head west,
turning south at Durness, enjoying
the wild landscapes. Look for signs
for Kinlochbervie, taking the road
beyond to park near Sheigra. Walk
to Sandwood Bay, 8 miles (13km),
which some say is haunted but is
certainly one of the most
enchanted and beautiful stretches
of coast on the north-west
seaboard. Rejoin the main road,
continuing south and over the
handsome Kylesku Bridge on the
A837. You will pass the ruin of
Ardvreck Castle on the shores of
wild Loch Assynt. This old fortress is
also haunted.
Day 8
Continue south via Ullapool, taking
the A832 round the coast past
Little Loch Broom and Gruinard
Bay. At Laide, look for a sign for
Mellon Udrigle. Follow this sign and
a few minutes drive brings you to a
small loch (left). In the mid-19th
century, local people began to see a
dark shape like an upturned boat
rise out of the loch on several
occasions. Their landlord tried to
drain the loch – but after two years
gave up! By coincidence, the
stretch of water was called Loch na
Beiste (loch of the monster) – a
name it had been given long before
the sightings and still carries today.
For information, inspiration and more
itineraries online check out:
www.visitscotland.com
Ghosts and
Monsters
Day 9
There are many other tales of
strange events along this west
coast and even another monster or
two! If you return to Inverness, take
the road down the Great Glen
watching out for the Loch Ness
Monster as you pass, then go west
from Fort William. On the way to
Mallaig you will pass dark and
mysterious Loch Morar, where in
the 1960s a very curious large
creature in the loch is said to have
bumped into an angler’s boat!
The information contained in this publication is as supplied
to VisitScotland and to the best of VisitScotland’s knowledge
is correct at the time of going to press. VisitScotland can
accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions.
April 2015.
VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our natural
environment and built heritage, upon which tourism is so
dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.
Cover: Ramsay Garden, Edinburgh © Paul Tomkins,
VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Additional photography: National Trust for Scotland
Ghosts and
Monsters
Old streets, ruined castles, empty moors and dark and silent lochs – no wonder the mind can play strange
tricks sometimes, as you may find while exploring some of Scotland’s more atmospheric settings.
The imagination of the Celts long ago populated this landscape with all kinds of other-worldly beings,
from fairies to full-scale monsters. Take this tour to discover places where tales are still told which
defy explanation!
03-GHOSTS_MONSTERS_SCOTLAND_MAP_FINAL.pdf
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ROUSAY
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© MFAtech Maps
www.digital-map.org
[email protected]
+44 (0) 207 871 1332
Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011
THE REAL MARY KING’S CLOSE
0
12.5
0
5 10
20
7
Port of Ness
A857
BERNERAY
MONTROSE AIR STATION – Now with an
ch
in
Tarbert
A868
8
Lochinver
A897
Loch
Shin
Otternish
on-site Heritage Museum, this aerodrome
was haunted by the ghost of Lt. Desmond
Arthur whose World War I biplane had a
botched repair and crashed. Apparitions of
other airmen have also been reported.
i
Lochmaddy L
t
e
tl
Gairloch
Lairg
A839
A837
Ullapool
Aultbea
Ghosts and
Monsters
Dunbeath
Ardvreck Castle
A835
Mellon Udrigle
SCALPAY
ch
Leverburgh
in
M
Wick
A99
Altnaharra
Th
HARRIS
A882
A894
e
A859
John o’ Groats
A99
A836
A894
A866
Callanish
M
LEWIS
Stornoway
A961SOUTH
Burwick RONALDSAY
Thurso
Tongue
Scourie
A960
St Margaret’s Hope
A836
Melvich
Bettyhill
A838
Arnol
A858
A964
Gills Bay
Scrabster
Durness
A9 Helmsdale
A839
A949
A836
Poolewe
STRONSAY
A965 Kirkwall ORKNEY
Stromness
Sandwood
Bay
Eday
A986
HOY
40 Miles
30
Below Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, a longabandoned street or ‘close’ with its own
selection of ghostly presences, most notably
the ghost of a little girl called Annie.
2
Skaill A967
House 6
50 Kilometers
25
A966
Brora
Golspie
Dornoch
The Wine Tower
Tain
rt
Fi
A835
A832
h Lossiemouth
4
Cullen
Cromarty
Fraserburgh
Banff Macduff
y
A941 Buckie
ora
A990
Dingwall A832 MNairn Forres Elgin
A98 Gardenstown
A95
Fochabers
A87
A96
A981 A90
A941
North
A890
Keith A97 Turriff
A850
Kessock
A940
Muir of Ord
A950
Dunvegan
EY Craigellachie
Beauly
A947
L
A890
L
Portree
A948
INVERNESS
Lochcarron
A865
RAASAY
A952 Peterhead
VA A95
A920
Fyvie
Daviot
Y
A82
Dufftown Huntly
E
A863
A833
A939
SKYE
Castle
Sconser Kyle of
Urquhart Castle
A9 Grantown- SP
A831
Ellon A975
Carbost
A941
3
Lochalsh
on-Spey A95
SOUTH
A920
A920
Drumnadrochit Urquhart
A87
A96
Inverurie
UIST
Glenelg
Castle Carrbridge A938
A97
A90
Broadford
Alford
Shiel Bridge
Lochboisdale
Loch
Kylerhea
Boat of
C
Aviemore Garten Tomintoul
A939
Ness
A887
A87
A851
ABERDEEN
A944
Elgol
Isle of Eriskay
A944
Augustus
Fort
Canna
A980
Kincraig A9
Cairngorms
Armadale
M
Newtonmore
Aboyne
A888
Kingussie National Park
Invergarry
Rum
Castlebay
Banchory
Mallaig
BARRA
Ballater
Loch
Ralia
Braemar
Y
Crathie
A957 A90
A889
Morar
A86
Eigg
Arisaig
Spean Bridge
Stonehaven
A830
CM
FYVIE CASTLE – Plenty of ghostly activity
Glenshee
Muck
A82
A90
Loch
Loch
A93
at this 13th century castle, including a green
A861
Ardnamurchan
Ericht
Fort William
Blair
Shiel
Edzell
Spittal of
Acharacle
lady who has been seen gliding along theMY
Atholl
Corran
Glenshee
Kinloch
A937
Laga
A924
corridors!
Coll
Bruar
Kilchoan
Rannoch
Brechin
Glencoe
Strontian
CY
Pitlochry
Kirriemuir
Montrose
A934
Tobermory Drimnin A884
Ballachulish
Aberfeldy
A867
NORTH
UIST
BENBECULA
A855
Uig
Achnasheen
Torridon A896
Strathpeffer
3
5
9
CMY
4
A848
Tiree
K
Lochaline A828
Fishnish
Craignure
MULL
A849
Iona
Fionnphort
Loch
Lismore
A816
Killin
Tyndrum
Oban A85
A85
Crianlarich
Loch
Awe
Tay A827
A926
A923
A826
Blairgowrie Dunkeld
A822
Lochearnhead
A928
2
Montrose
Air Station
Arbroath
A15
A923 DUNDEE
A94
A930 Carnoustie
PERTH
Scone
A85
A85
Forfar A933
Glamis
Crieff
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
National Park Loch Earn A822
A819
A919
St Andrews
Cupar A917
A83 A82
Callander A9 Auchterarder
Inveraray
A916
A816
Crail
A823
M90
A821 A84
Glenrothes
Ardgartan
Dunblane
Aberfoyle
A917 Anstruther
Tarbet
A81
Kinross
A83
Aberfoyle
A91
M9
Leven
A814
Crinan
A815
JURA
Colonsay
A92
Loch Lomond A811
i r t h o f Fo
Alva
Kirkcaldy F
rth
Drymen
A886
Dunfermline
A817
A875
Lochgilphead
North Berwick
STIRLINGBo'ness Rosyth Burntisland
Helensburgh
Balloch
A198 Dunbar
A880
EDINBURGH
Dunoon
Gourock Dumbarton
ISLAY
M9
A1087
Colintraive
A846
M80 Falkirk Linlithgow
Haddington
Greenock M8
Rhubodach
M8
Port Askaig Feolin
Old Craighall
A1
Portavadie
Wemyss Bay M8
Tarbert
Coatbridge
Dalkeith
M8
Eyemouth
A78
Paisley
Kennacraig
Newtongrange
Penicuik
Rothesay Largs
A6112
GLASGOW
Claonaig A844
Bowmore
A847
A1
Roslin
The Real Mary King’s A68
Close
Motherwell
A760
Bute
A846
A702
A706
Hamilton
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Millport
A6105
Gigha A83
A7
M77
Lochranza A78 A737
A701 A703
A698
A721
Tayinloan
Port Ellen
Ardrossan
Kilmarnock A71
ARRAN
M74 Lanark
Galashiels A6089 A698
Irvine
Peebles A72
Coldstream
Brodick
Carradale
Biggar
A699
Melrose
Troon
Kelso
A1
A699
Mauchline
A701
A841
Selkirk
Prestwick
Abington
A70
Ayr
A697
A70
Jedburgh
A698
A708
A76 Wanlockhead
Hawick
Campbeltown
A719 A77
Seil
Luing
A913
10
THE WINE TOWER – A local laird locked up
his daughter after she fell in love with a piper
– an unsuitable match. He murdered the piper
and his daughter jumped to her death.
A ghostly piper still plays on stormy nights!
1
5
A77
Sanquhar
Maybole
Girvan
Ballycastle
A713
A702
6
NORTHERN
IRELAND
A714 New Galloway
A77
Cairnryan
Stranraer
Portpatrick A77
Larne
8
7
BELFAST
A712
Newton Stewart
A751
A716
Port Logan
A75
Wigtown
A747
Mull Of
Galloway
A75
A76
Castle
Douglas
A75 A711
A755 Kirkcudbright
Whithorn
9
A701
A6088
A7
A709
SANDWOOD BAY – Beautiful and remote
beach in the north-west Highlands, accessible
only on foot. A great day’s walk – but watch out
for the ghost of an old sailor, as well as a
mermaid.
ARDVRECK CASTLE – Picturesquely-ruined
15th century castle said to be haunted by a
weeping figure, daughter of a Macleod chieftain
who tried to marry her off to the Devil!
A1068
E N G LA68AA696N D
M74
NEWCASTLE
UPON TYNE
A69
A194(M)
A689
A596
A595
A591
M6
10
A6
LOCH MORAR – This is home for a monster
called Morag. There is plenty of room for her
as Loch Morar, at 1017ft (310m), is the
deepest fresh water loch in Europe.
A167
A686
A689
A689
A592
M6
SKAILL HOUSE – 17th century mansion
house, complete with a ghost which terrifies
dogs, footsteps heard in empty rooms and
reports from guests that, while in bed, a
presence joins them and sits on the bed!
A1
A68
Langholm
Lockerbie A7
Gretna
Green
New A75
Abbey
A69
Gretna
Dalbeattie
Carlisle
A710
A712 Dumfries
A75
Gatehouse A762
of Fleet
A746
Moffat
Thornhill
URQUHART CASTLE – Historically
important castle, also famous as a monster
spotting vantage point, overlooking the
deepest part of Loch Ness.
A74(M)
A76 A702
A66
A688
A1(M)
ABERFOYLE – A marked trail leads to the top
of the Doon Hill near Aberfoyle. The local
minister, the Rev Robert Kirk, was taken into
Fairyland from here.