It's the spookiest time of year and for those of you looking for an added adventure, perhaps to seek out some restless spirits and ghosts, then a trip to one of Scotland's haunted castles could be in order. With centuries of gruesome murders, bloody battles and cruel assassinations behind them, many of these majestic strongholds come with a ghastly tale or two.
With that in mind, tombola bingo has analysed 134,194 TripAdvisor reviews across 43 of the UK and Ireland’s most haunted castles and totalled up the number of times the reviews mentioned the words ‘spooky’, ‘scary’, ‘ghost’ and ‘haunted’.
Three Scottish castles made the top 10 across the UK and Ireland, with Tulloch Castle in Dingwall ranking highest in second place, while Glamis Castle in Angus (seventh) and Dalhousie Castle in Midlothian (eighth) also featured, but they are far from the only haunted castles you'll find dotted around Scotland.
Read more: Scotland's scariest places according to supernatural expert Ghost Finder General
Read more: Scots ghost shouts 'yer a bawbag' at spirit hunting team during paranormal investigation
Glamis Castle, Angus
Glamis Castle was once the talk of the courts around Europe due to its supposed dark and terrible secret.
The childhood home of the Queen Mother was also once said to be home to not only the usual array of ghosts but also a monster.
At the turn of the 20th century, the rumours of a secret chamber and a monstrous heir were so strong that many accounts were written of the Monster of Glamis.
Said to be the deformed son and heir of the 12th Earl of Strathmore, the unnamed Bowes-Lyon child is was recorded as having died on the day of his birth but many believed he actually survived to become a "barrel-chested" monster with "toy-like" arms and legs.
The mystery left a dark and terrible stain on not only the reputation of the family but also put an immense strain on them.
The grandfather of the Queen Mother, Claude Bowes-Lyon and the 13th Earl of Strathmore once reportedly said: “If you could even guess the nature of this castle’s secret, you would get down on your knees and thank God it was not yours.”
Tulloch Castle, Dingwall
The historic home of Clan Davidson, Tulloch Castle is haunted by a ghost known as the Green Lady, thought to be the ghost of a woman called Elizabeth Davidson whose portrait hangs in the great hall.
The daughter of a former Laird, Elizabeth was running from the shock of seeing her father with another woman when she tripped and fell down the stairs to her death.
Now, her restless soul has been seen by numerous guests who have stayed at the castle turned hotel.
Earlshall Castle, Fife
Built by Sir William Bruce in the 16th century, this castle was originally owned by the Earls of Fife, the relatives of King Robert.
The ghost of Sir Andrew the 'Bloody Bruce', a descendant of the original owner and the most notorious Baron of Earlshall, is said to still stalk the spiral stairs of the stronghold to this day.
The interesting nickname was given to him due to the fact he was known to "hack off" the hands and heads of the enemies he had just slain in battle.
Castle of Park, Aberdeenshire
Incorporating a 16th-century tower house, the beautiful pink stronghold was said to have provided accommodation for Robert the Bruce when he ventured north during his reign as King of Scotland.
It's also home to a green woman, the ghost of a servant girl who led a tragic life and is said to appear at the upstairs window.
Not only that, a monk was said to have been walled up inside one of the original rooms and now residents say they feel as though they are being watched and objects sometimes mysteriously move from one room to another.
Ackergill Tower, Caithness
Located near Wick in Caithness on Scotland's northern coast, the remote and idyllic Ackergill Tower is said to be haunted by a red lady.
Helen Gunn, also known as the Beauty of Braemore, was said to have been stolen away from her home on her wedding night, by the cruel local laird, Dugald Keith.
Feuding between the Gunns and the Keiths had been rife at the time and this was just the latest in a long list of violent clashes between the clans.
To escape her abductor’s advances, the lady is said to have flung herself from the battlements.
To this day, the castle is said to be haunted by many ghosts but the most famous is the beautiful woman in red, with long flowing raven hair.
Airth Castle, Stirlingshire
Considered to be one of Scotland's most haunted places, Airth Castle in Stirlingshire has a variety of ghosts including a phantom groundskeeper and even the spectre of a dog.
Snapped by best man Stuart White during Nigel and Jane Sleath’s 2007 wedding, an extra, unexpected guest was captured in one of the photos - thought to be the aforementioned 'green phantom'.
Scarier still is the story behind a few of the rooms in the castle which is now a hotel.
One is allegedly haunted by a nanny and two children who died in a fire, with the children still heard laughing running along the corridors, while yet another by screaming maids who were said to have been abused by one of the castle's former masters.
Dalhousie Castle, Midlothian
Lady Catherine is said to be the primary ghost who regularly appears to guests of the striking Dalhousie Castle in Midlothian. She is said to have died of a broken heart and become trapped between the turreted walls of this 13th-century fortress. A rustle of skirts is the first clue to her presence then often, a pinch to the neck of people who stay here is the final giveaway.
Now a luxury hotel, Lady C has become a fun and spooky addition to the popular offering at this incredible castle.
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