The Ghosts of Dalhousie Castle: Spirits in Scotland’s Oldest Inhabited Fortress



Just eight miles south of Edinburgh, nestled along the banks of the River Esk, stands Dalhousie Castle, a majestic red sandstone fortress with a lineage stretching back to the 13th century. Once the stronghold of the Ramsay family, who lived there for over 800 years, the castle is now a luxury hotel and spa though many say it remains just as full of spirits as it is of guests.

With its ancient dungeons, towering turrets, and long corridors that whisper secrets of the past, Dalhousie Castle is home to more than one ghost. And while its lush surroundings and elegant interiors may suggest peace and comfort, the supernatural activity within these walls tells a very different story.

The Lady in Grey: The Castle’s Most Famous Ghost

The most well-known specter at Dalhousie Castle is the Lady in Grey, believed to be the spirit of Lady Catherine Ramsay. According to legend, Catherine was a young woman who fell in love with a man considered beneath her station. Her family, enraged by the romance, locked her in one of the castle’s towers as punishment.

Trapped and heartbroken, Catherine eventually died in confinement, her spirit, it seems, never left.

Guests and staff have reported seeing her wandering the upper floors of the castle, particularly near the turrets and stairwells. She is often described as wearing a flowing grey dress, her face pale and sad, with eyes that seem to search for something or someone she lost long ago.

Common reports include:

• Sudden cold drafts, even in sealed rooms
• The soft rustling of skirts, with no one in sight
• A presence felt at the foot of the bed in certain guest rooms
• Electrical disturbances, especially in rooms associated with the tower

The Dungeon’s Dark Energy

Dalhousie Castle features an authentic medieval dungeon, now transformed into the castle’s atmospheric dining area: the Dungeon Restaurant. While the fine cuisine draws guests, the space itself often delivers more than they expect.

Some diners have reported feeling watched while eating. Others have experienced:

• Utensils moving slightly on their own
• Unseen fingers touching shoulders or hair
• Photos capturing strange orbs or misty anomalies

Psychics and paranormal investigators who’ve visited the dungeon describe it as a place with residual energy, possibly from centuries of imprisonment, torture, or punishment during the castle's more violent past.
Phantom Footsteps and Unseen Guests

Across the castle’s many levels, guests frequently report phantom footsteps echoing down hallways, particularly at night. Some have heard doors creaking open by themselves or heavy knocks on their doors, only to find no one there.

One frequently haunted area is the Library Bar, where staff have reported books falling from shelves without explanation and an antique clock that sometimes chimes at the wrong time or not at all.

Other Reported Spirits

While the Lady in Grey is the most commonly seen apparition, there are rumors of other entities:

• A male figure in medieval armor, thought to be one of the early Ramsay lords
• A child’s laughter, occasionally heard near the staircase but never traced to a source
• Shadowy figures glimpsed in the mirrors or crossing the hallways at twilight

These apparitions are fleeting but consistent enough to form a rich tapestry of paranormal lore.

A Castle That Embraces Its Haunting

Unlike some locations that shy away from their haunted history, Dalhousie Castle leans into its ghostly reputation. Staff are well aware of the spirits said to inhabit the grounds, and some long-time employees even refer to the Lady in Grey by name.

Guests with an interest in the paranormal can request rooms in the castle’s older sections or dine in the dungeon for a uniquely haunted experience. Some couples even choose the castle as a wedding venue perhaps drawn by the romance of a love story that never died, even in death.

Final Thoughts

Dalhousie Castle is more than a luxurious escape into Scottish history, it’s a living, breathing museum of emotion, energy, and the unexplained. Whether you’re sipping whisky in the library or lying awake in one of its four-poster beds, don’t be surprised if you feel the brush of the past because here, the past never truly leaves.

And if you hear soft footsteps outside your door in the middle of the night… maybe let the Lady in Grey pass by undisturbed.