The Ghosts of Tulloch Castle: Hauntings in the Highlands



Set on a hill overlooking the town of Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands, Tulloch Castle is a striking 12th-century stronghold with a long and storied past. Originally built as a family home for a line of Highland lairds, the castle has served many roles over the centuries including a hospital during World War II and a boarding school in the mid-20th century. Today, it operates as a hotel, offering guests both warm hospitality and chilling encounters with the supernatural.

Tulloch Castle is widely regarded as one of the most haunted locations in the Highlands, its centuries-old stone walls echoing with the sounds of the past and the whispers of restless spirits.

The Green Lady of Tulloch

The most famous ghost said to haunt Tulloch Castle is known simply as the Green Lady. Her identity remains a mystery, though many believe she may be the spirit of a member of the Davidson family, who once owned the estate. One theory suggests she was a daughter who died tragically, either from illness, heartbreak, or under suspicious circumstances.

Dressed in a flowing green gown, the ghost is most often seen in and around Room 8, one of the castle’s most requested—and most feared guest rooms. Witnesses report:

• Seeing a translucent woman in green standing at the foot of the bed or gliding through the hallway
• Feeling a sudden drop in temperature when she appears
• Hearing soft weeping in empty rooms
• Finding mirrors mysteriously fogged or smudged, as though touched by unseen hands

Some guests have even checked out early after an encounter with the Green Lady, describing an overwhelming sense of sadness or dread that lingers long after the experience.

The Haunted Halls and Hidden Rooms

Beyond Room 8, Tulloch Castle is riddled with tales of unexplained activity. The long, stone corridors seem to amplify footsteps that never reach their destination, and doors are known to open and close by themselves, sometimes with visible force.

The castle contains hidden chambers and secret staircases, many of which were uncovered during restorations. Some believe these forgotten areas harbor spirits from centuries past, including:

• A spectral child, heard laughing or running down hallways late at night
• Shadowy figures seen peering out of windows when no one is inside
• An old man in Victorian garb, occasionally seen near the fireplace in the lounge, who vanishes when approached

Staff and guests have also reported hearing their names whispered, especially in the early morning hours, despite no one else being present.

Wartime Echoes and the Schoolboy Ghost

Tulloch Castle served as a hospital during World War II and later as a boys’ boarding school, and some believe the energy from those eras contributes to the spiritual activity. One particularly unsettling legend tells of a young schoolboy who died tragically possibly from a fall down one of the castle’s steep staircases.

Visitors have claimed to:

• Hear childlike giggles followed by the sound of tumbling footsteps
• Spot a pale boy in a school uniform, only for him to disappear around a corner
• Feel a hand tug at their clothing, especially on the stairs

A Place of Beauty and Unease

Despite its ghostly reputation, Tulloch Castle remains a beloved destination for history lovers and paranormal enthusiasts alike. The hotel staff acknowledge the hauntings with a mixture of pride and reverence, often hosting ghost tours and paranormal investigation events throughout the year.

Whether you believe in spirits or not, there’s no denying that Tulloch Castle has an atmosphere unlike any other steeped in history, mystery, and memories that seem to resist the passage of time.

Final Thoughts

Tulloch Castle is more than a Highland retreat, it is a living, breathing remnant of Scotland’s turbulent past. And for those who spend a night within its ancient walls, it may also become a brush with the unknown.

So if you ever find yourself staying in Room 8, and you feel a cold breeze or see a flicker of green in the corner of your eye… don’t be too quick to dismiss it. You might just have met the Green Lady herself.