Glamis Castle, the childhood ahome of Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the Queen Mother, is reputed to be Scotland’s most haunted castle, with whispers of at least nine spirits roaming its corridors.
The castle as we see it today was largely constructed in the 14th century, but its history stretches back much further. In 1034, King Malcolm II of Scotland (then Alba) met a violent end at Glamis and was succeeded by King Duncan I.
The connection between the two monarchs remains a mystery, though some speculate that Duncan may have been Malcolm’s grandson. Duncan’s reign was cut short when he fell in battle against Macbeth, who then ascended to the throne.
These historical events inspired Shakespeare’s renowned tragedy, Macbeth, with the character residing in Glamis Castle in the play. Whether the real Macbeth had any ties to Glamis Castle is uncertain, but some believe his ghost haunts the castle, along with the spirits of King Malcolm and King Duncan.
Another eerie tale linked to Glamis involves a ‘sleeping vampire’. According to legend, a female servant was discovered attacking a male guest and consuming his blood.
This horrifying act led to her being chased away by other guests, eventually leading to her capture. The story takes an even more sinister turn as it’s claimed she was subsequently sealed within a room where she continues to slumber to this day.
A second story detailing hidden rooms and secrets is the tale of the Monster of Glamis unfurls a chilling legend attached to the Lyon family from the 1800s, wherein it’s said that a grotesquely disfigured child was born into the clan.
This unfortunate soul, despite being the firstborn son, never took over the castle or the accompanying Earldom. Rumour has it that during his lifetime he was kept concealed within the castle walls. And following his death, the chamber of his confinement was reportedly sealed off permanently.
Another eerie narrative associated with Glamis Castle involves none other than the devil himself. It is whispered that a man known as “Earl Beardie”, who may have been either Alexander Lyon, 2nd Lord Glamis, or Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford, enticed his visitors for a game of cards on the Sabbath day.
Met by refusal due to the holy day, the Earl is alleged to have angrily replied that he would play cards until doomsday or with the devil himself. Subsequently, a stranger joined him for a card game and ultimately disclosed that he was indeed the devil, seizing the Earl’s soul for eternity – with some claiming he was indeed cursed to play cards until doomsday.
Spectral sightings at Glamis don’t end there; one involves a woman deprived of her tongue, accused of stumbling upon a dark secret so pivotal to the Lyon family that she was rendered mute to ensure her silence. Visitors have reported visions of this silent spectre streaking through the grounds, blood flowing whilst her finger tragically points to where her tongue once was.
The chapel at Glamis is also believed to be haunted by a ‘Grey Lady’, thought by some to be the ghost of Janet Douglas, Lady Glamis. In 1537, she was accused of trying to poison King James V of Scotland and was subsequently burned at the stake at Edinburgh Castle.
For details on admission and guided tours, check out their website https://www.glamis-castle.co.uk/