MacKenzie Poltergeist: The Sinister Edinburgh spook terrorising tourists

The MacKenzie Poltergeist is a chilling phenomenon reported to haunt the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The restless spirit belongs to George MacKenzie, a ruthless 17th-century lawyer and Lord Advocate who earned the nickname “Bloody MacKenzie” due to his brutal persecution of the Covenanters, a group who sought religious freedom during the reign of Charles II.

As a result of his cruel actions, it is believed that MacKenzie was responsible for the deaths of approximately 18,000 Covenanters, a period known as ‘The Killing Time’ in Scottish history.

Visitors to Greyfriars Kirkyard have reported a wide range of disturbing experiences, including unexplained bruises, scratches, bites and even blackouts, leading many to believe that the Mackenzie Poltergeist is the most active and malevolent paranormal entity in existence… although the Black Monk at 30 East Drive may have something to say about that!

MacKenzie Poltergeist

Sir George MacKenzie was a lawyer and the Lord Advocate during the rule of Charles II. He quickly earned a reputation as one of the most vicious persecutors of the Covenanters, who were the people who rose up in defence of the National Covenant and Presbyterianism.

MacKenzie started his career defending Covenanters to make a name for himself. However, once established, he switched sides, defending the King and the Scottish Church.

Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is the site of one of the most bloody religious persecutions carried out in the 17th century by Sir George MacKenzie against the rebellious Presbyterian Covenanters. After the Battle of Bothwell Bridge, many Covenanters were imprisoned within the Covenanter’s Prison in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

The MacKenzie Poltergeist is said to haunt the Black Mausoleum in Greyfriars Kirkyard. This poltergeist is considered one of the best-documented and longest-running cases in history.

The Black Mausoleum and Crypt

The Black Mausoleum is the final resting place of George MacKenzie, who died on May 8, 1691, and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, close to the site of his atrocities against the Scottish Covenanters.

Designed by architect James Smith, the imposing tomb has become notorious for its connection to the mysterious and violent MacKenzie Poltergeist.

A event took place on a stormy night when a homeless man sought shelter in the graveyard near the Black Mausoleum. With no other option, he broke the lock on the door and ventured inside the crypt, unaware of the malevolent entity he was about to awaken.

In the years since the homeless man’s fateful encounter, over 500 incidents of the poltergeist’s attacks have been recorded around the Black Mausoleum and the nearby Covenanters’ prison. This eerie area has become a focal point for those interested in the paranormal, who often experience strange and terrifying phenomena when visiting.

One account from centuries ago tells the story of John Hayes, a fugitive criminal who hid from the law in the Black Mausoleum for six months, emerging only to scavenge for food.

When the police finally captured him, the once sane man had gone mad, claiming that the coffins within the mausoleum moved every night. This, along with other bone-chilling incidents, has solidified the reputation of the Black Mausoleum and the crypt as one of the most haunted locations in the world.

Poltergeist Phenomena

The MacKenzie Poltergeist has been reported to cause various physical marks on those who encounter it, such as scratches, ghostly bites and bruises.

Visitors to Greyfriars Kirkyard, the area where the poltergeist is said to reside, have experienced injuries they cannot recall sustaining. These injuries range from small cuts to more significant bruising, and it is not uncommon for individuals to feel strange sensations while in the presence of the alleged poltergeist.

One theory explaining these phenomena points to the location’s dark history, particularly the brutal treatment of prisoners during the 17th century. Torture was a common practice in this period, and it is believed that such violent events could contribute to the manifestation of paranormal activity, particularly in the form of a poltergeist.

City of the Dead Tours

Greyfriar’s Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a place of great historical importance and is said to be home home to the infamous MacKenzie Poltergeist. One popular activity among locals and tourists alike is to explore the haunting legend by taking part in the City of the Dead Tour. This tour takes visitors through the city’s spooky past whilst narrating the tale of George MacKenzie, the man at the centre of the poltergeist’s legend.

These tours are led by knowledgeable guides who take groups through the cemetery and into the ancient Covenanters’ Prison, the very place where the homeless man unintentionally unleashed the poltergeist in 1998.

Since then, countless visitors have reported scratches, burns, and even unexplained collapses during these tours, making the City of the Dead experience unlike any other.

In addition to the City of the Dead Tours, there are also other ghost tours in Edinburgh that incorporate the MacKenzie Poltergeist story. These tours not only delve into the history of George MacKenzie and his persecution of the Covenanters but also explore other paranormal hotspots and haunted locations throughout the city. Ghost tours take participants on a fascinating journey through the city’s dark history, showcasing the grim and mysterious events that have shaped Edinburgh’s spooky reputation.

If you are in Edinburgh for a few days and want to check out a number of other spooky sites, it’s worth visiting Edinburgh Castle, Mary King’s Close and the Edinburgh Vaults.

The dark and spooky vaults are regarded as the most haunted place in Edinburgh and several award winning tour companies run underground ghost tours in the many vaults below the South Bridge.

Photo Credit: Harry McGregor, Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)