It is no secret that Scotland is home to many sites that are said to be haunted by ghosts or spirits.
From spooky ruined castles to historic city pubs, no matter where you are in the country, you aren't likely to be far from somewhere said to have a supernatural presence. While we commonly think of ghosts as being a constant presence at haunted locations, there are some places where spirits are only believed to appear on certain days of the year.
February and March both marked the arrival of mysterious figures in Scotland—from massacred clansmen to loch mermaids—and May also sees many unique spirits supposedly make an appearance. These include a woman dressed in white that waves from a Dundee castle window and the spirits of fallen soldiers said to re-enact their final battle.
The Paranormal Database has compiled a list of the ghosts across the UK that are believed to come out only during the fifth month of the year. Read on for a summary of some of the spirits that you may see this month in Scotland if you're in the right place at the right time.
Spectral Army at Loch Ashie
At the start of May every year, on the shores of Loch Ashie near Inverness, a manifestation of an army is said to appear. According to The Paranormal Database, this has occurred on the shores around, and to the moors east of, Loch Ashie.
These sightings date back over 100 years, with one notable incident said to have taken place during the First World War. At this time, a hiker was travelling along the moors near the loch when he is said to have seen a large and savage battle of soldiers and horsemen, before they suddenly and immediately disappeared.
While some believe that the warriors are from the army of folk hero Finn Mac Cumhail, the true identity of the mysterious soldiers has never been confirmed. Somehow, that makes it even spookier.
Magical holy well at Culloden
If you head to St. Mary’s Well near the battle site of Culloden in the Highlands this May, you may experience a miracle. At least, that is what many locals believe.
St. Mary’s Well, also known as Clootie Well or The Blue Well, is a circular pool of water at an ancient spring dedicated to Saint Curetán, in the heart of Culloden woods. Here, a tradition thought to be pagan and Celtic in origin has long taken place.
For centuries, people far and wide would travel to the well on the first Sunday in May to cure their ailments. Once there, they would dip a piece of cloth in the water before hanging it onto one of the nearby trees—which is why the branches are covered in fabric.
Lady waving handkerchief in Angus
Those who visit Claypotts Castle in Dundee later this month may be given a fright if they look up at one of the castle's windows. According to legend, every year on May 29, a woman dressed in white can be seen hysterically waving her arms high up in one of the rooms.
This 'White Lady' is supposedly the ghost of Marion Ogilvy, who was the mistress of Archbishop of St Andrews Cardinal David Beaton, and is said to have waited at her window and waved her handkerchief at him whenever he visited. However, he was brutally murdered in 1546, leaving her to spend the rest of her days waiting in vain.
The castle itself is well worth a visit, if the story of the White Lady hasn't put you off. The unique and striking structure looks like something out of a fairytale, and while you can't go inside it is the perfect spot to snap some pics.
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