Mysterious Britain & Ireland

Country and County: Mid Lothian

Apparitions / Haunted Hotels / Haunted Pubs / Hauntings

Marriott Dalmahoy Hotel & Country Club

The Dalmahoy Hotel, now part of the Marriott group is a Georgian Mansion dating from 1720 and it is reputedly haunted by the second daughter of the 8th Earl of Morton. The name Dalmahoy refers to the family that held the land from the start of the fourteenth century right up to it passing to the Dalrymples in the mid seventeenth century.

Apparitions / Green Ladies / Hauntings

Caroline Park House

Caroline Park House dates from 1685. It was commissioned for Sir George Mackenzie, 1st Lord Tarbat (1630 – 1714) and has a reputation for being haunted. In 1683, George Mackenzie had bought the Royston Barony and had originally named this building Royston House.

Apparitions / Hauntings

The Ghost of John Chiesly

For three hundred years Dalry was reputedly haunted by the apparition of a screaming (and sometimes manically laughing) man with a bloody stump for his right arm. This ghost was known as ‘Johnny One-Arm’ or, more correctly John Chiesly. John was an unhappy husband who petitioned for a divorce in 1688.

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Folklore

The Grey Brother

Sir Walter Scott wrote The Grey Brother whilst living at Lasswade Cottage between 1798 and 1804.

A being whom no blessed word
To ghostly peace can bring,
A wretch at whose approach abhorred
Recoils each holy thing.

Up, up, unhappy! haste, arise!
My adjuration fear!
I charge thee not to stop my voice,

Apparitions / Hauntings

Bell’s Wynd

According to tradition, a house on Bell’s Wynd had supposedly stood empty for twenty one years and no-one was aware that the body of Mrs Guthrie, who had died two decades earlier, was still inside. A locksmith who lived either close by or immediately above the Mrs Guthrie’s decided to break in and see why it was empty.

Hauntings / Poltergiests

Learmonth Hotel, Edinburgh

The Learmonth Hotel is reputedly haunted by what has been described as a poltergeist . The hotel is on the tree lined 19th Century Learmonth Terrace. Activity in the hotel is said to include doors that open and close by themselves, whistling being heard by staff and visitors in the corridors and interference with electrical devices such as hairdryers and kettles.

Ancient Sites / Apparitions / Early Christianity / Featured Sites / Hauntings / Legends

Rosslyn Chapel & Roslin Castle

Rosslyn Chapel is touted as being one of the most mysterious places in Scotland, especially with the current gloat of books purporting to show how hidden secrets lurk within every crack of stone at this venerated place. Anybody who has ever visited the chapel may feel that it deserves its current status, and I must confess the atmosphere even on a busy day is something to be experienced.

Apparitions / Hauntings

Mary King’s Close

A close such as Mary King’s Close is a narrow lane or passage that runs between two buildings or a route that would give access to the rear of a building.