The Ghosts of Huntly Castle: Echoes of Power, Betrayal, and Restless Spirits



Standing in quiet ruin at the edge of the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Huntly Castle is a hauntingly beautiful reminder of Scotland’s turbulent past. Once the grand seat of the powerful Clan Gordon, the castle’s rich architectural detail and carved inscriptions still impress visitors today. But beneath its weathered stones and shattered battlements lie whispers of bloodshed, betrayal and ghosts that never left.

As with many ancient Scottish strongholds, Huntly Castle is not just a historical landmark but a deeply haunted site, with tales of restless spirits echoing through the remnants of its once-mighty halls.

A Legacy of Violence

Huntly Castle’s history is soaked in conflict. Originally built in the 12th century as the motte-and-bailey stronghold of the Earls of Fife, it passed into the hands of the Gordons in the 14th century, who turned it into a lavish Renaissance residence. The castle was repeatedly attacked, seized, and burned most notably during the Reformation and later by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. Executions, religious persecution, and political intrigue stained the soil around the castle. It’s no surprise that many believe the violence of the past left an imprint on the present, in the form of ghostly apparitions and strange phenomena.

The Weeping Woman of Huntly

The most frequently reported ghost at Huntly Castle is a mysterious weeping woman, said to be seen in the lower levels of the ruin particularly near what was once the dungeons or holding cells. No one knows her identity for sure, but folklore suggests she may have been:

• A prisoner during the castle's use as a military garrison
• A noblewoman executed during a period of political upheaval
• A Gordon wife mourning her executed husband

Visitors who encounter her describe:

• Hearing soft sobbing echoing through the corridors
• Feeling an intense wave of sadness or despair
• Seeing a faint silhouette of a woman in dark robes, who vanishes when approached

The Phantom Soldier

Another frequent apparition is that of a ghostly soldier, clad in what appears to be 17th-century armor. Witnesses have spotted him near the ruined entranceway or standing silently by the remains of the great hall. He is believed to be a remnant from the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, possibly a Royalist soldier executed when the castle fell to Cromwell’s men.

Visitors report:

• Footsteps on stone staircases, where none now remain
• Cold gusts of wind on still days
• The clank of metal, as if a sword or armor is being moved

Some have even claimed to see the soldier vanish into a wall, as though still standing guard in a world long gone.

Curses and Ghostly Echoes

The Gordon family’s involvement in Catholic resistance during the Protestant Reformation may also play a role in the castle’s haunted atmosphere. Huntly Castle was a site of secret masses and political plots, leading to intense scrutiny and persecution. Locals speak of a “curse on the Gordons”, possibly linked to these religious struggles. While this is mostly folklore, it adds a supernatural weight to the many ghost sightings.

Other strange phenomena reported by visitors include:

• Whispering voices, especially near the ruins of the chapel
• Shadows moving without a source of light
• Animals acting strangely, especially dogs refusing to enter certain parts of the ruins

Paranormal Investigations

While Huntly Castle remains a ruin today and isn’t inhabited like many haunted castles, it has drawn the attention of ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. Many bring EMF meters and recording equipment, often capturing:

• Sudden spikes in electromagnetic activity
• Unexplained orbs or light anomalies in photos
• EVPs (electronic voice phenomena) of crying, whispering, and indistinct voices

Even skeptics have admitted feeling a “heavy presence” or unexplained dread when standing alone in certain parts of the castle.

A Ghost Hunter’s Warning

One local legend warns visitors not to linger in the castle after dark. While the site is technically closed at night, curious thrill-seekers sometimes sneak in. Some have returned with tales of disorientation, missing time, and terrifying sightings while others refuse to speak of their experience at all. Whether it’s psychological suggestion or something truly paranormal, Huntly Castle commands a powerful presence, both in its history and in its lingering mysteries.

Final Thoughts

Though the grandeur of Huntly Castle has faded, its ghosts remain, spectral echoes of a time when power was won and lost in blood. The weeping woman, the silent soldier, the haunted chapel they are reminders that in places like Huntly, the past never truly dies. If you visit, tread carefully. You may come seeking history but you could leave with a story of your own.