West Bow, a historic street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, connects the Grassmarket to the Royal Mile. Dating back to medieval times, it was once part of the main route into the city. The street’s distinctive curved shape follows the original city walls.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, West Bow was known for its metalworkers and goldsmiths. The area gained notoriety during the witch trials of the 1590s, as several accused witches were imprisoned and executed nearby.

One of West Bow’s most infamous residents was Major Thomas Weir, known as the “Wizard of West Bow.” In 1670, Weir confessed to witchcraft and various crimes, leading to his execution. His house, believed to have stood at the foot of West Bow, became the subject of numerous ghost stories. Locals reported strange lights, eerie sounds, and apparitions in and around the property for years after his death.

Another haunted location on West Bow is the Bow Bar, a historic pub. Staff and patrons have reported glimpses of a ghostly figure believed to be a former owner. Unexplained footsteps and the sound of glasses clinking have also been heard when the bar is empty.

The curved nature of the street itself has given rise to tales of a phantom carriage that appears on foggy nights, its spectral horses and occupants visible only briefly before vanishing into the mist.

West Bow’s dark history and atmospheric setting have contributed to its reputation as one of Edinburgh’s most haunted locations, with centuries of ghost stories and supernatural encounters woven into its cobblestones.