It's no secret that Scotland is home to some of the most stunning and fascinating castles and ruins anywhere in the world.
From Edinburgh Castle and Balmoral to Glamis Castle, every single one is worth seeing and has their own story to tell. Given how many of these castles there are, and how much violence many of them saw in their heyday, it is also no surprise that there are countless tales and legends of ghosts.
One of the more picturesque and fascinating castles in the country is Kilchurn, located on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe in Argyll and Bute.
The ruined structure dates back to the mid-15th century, when it was constructed as the base of the Campbells of Glenorchy.
Kilchurn Castle remained the base of the Campbells for around 150 years, before being converted into a garrison for redcoat troops following the first Jacobite Rising of 1689. After a fire caused by a lightning strike in the 1760s, the castle was abandoned and left to decay.
One of the most fascinating — and spooky — aspects of the castle is that it is believed to be haunted by two different ghosts.
According to locals, one of these is referred to as the Witch of Kilchurn. It is believed that this is the spirit of a homeless woman who took refuge in the castle after it was abandoned, with some reportedly seeing her in town filling up her pipe tobacco.
Others believe Kilchurn is haunted by the ghost of a child who was locked away high up in the castle centuries ago. Some visitors have even reported hearing childlike sobs and cries while exploring the ruins.
Today, the interior of Kilchurn Castle is undergoing renovation works and so is closed to the public. However, it is still worth visiting to see the structure and it remains one of the most photographed castles in Scotland for good reason.
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