Dunnottar Castle, perched atop a rocky headland near Stonehaven, Scotland, boasts a rich history dating back to the Middle Ages. This dramatic fortress has witnessed centuries of conflict, including sieges during the Wars of Scottish Independence and Cromwell’s invasion. In 1297, William Wallace captured the castle from the English, and later it became a stronghold for the powerful Keith family.

The castle’s turbulent past has given rise to numerous ghostly tales. Visitors have reported encountering the spirit of a young woman dressed in green, believed to be searching for her lost children. Her mournful cries are said to echo through the ruins on stormy nights. Another frequently sighted apparition is that of a tall Scandinavian-looking man, often spotted in the brewery. Some speculate he may be a Viking from the castle’s earliest days.

The most infamous supernatural occurrence at Dunnottar is the inexplicable sound of drumming. Legend has it that a young drummer boy was sent into a tunnel beneath the castle to play his instrument, helping soldiers gauge the tunnel’s length. The boy never returned, and his ghostly drumming is still heard on occasion, particularly near May 23rd each year.

In the castle’s Whigs’ Vault, where Covenanters were imprisoned in the 17th century, visitors have reported feeling sudden cold spots and an overwhelming sense of despair. Some claim to have seen apparitions of emaciated prisoners or heard their anguished moans. These eerie experiences have cemented Dunnottar Castle’s reputation as one of Scotland’s most haunted locations.