Terrifying Ghost Stories From The Most Haunted City In The World

Some say Edinburgh has more ghosts per square foot than anywhere else on Earth. The city is believed to host a headless drummer, a demented shopkeeper, and an apparition known as the Dung Prisoner, and that's just the beginning. We’ve dug up some of the most sinister supernatural stories from Scotland’s capital. Read on, if you dare!

1. Greyfriars Bobby – the ghost dog

The tale of Greyfriars Bobby is a touching story of a man and his faithful hound. Let's first set the scene. The Greyfriars in question is a church – or kirk as they call it in Scotland – surrounded by a graveyard. Dating back to 1620, the kirk is set in Edinburgh’s Old Town, not far from the Royal Mile. Our story begins after one John Gray, a nightwatchman, was buried in the kirk’s graveyard in 1858.

Faithful 'til the end

During his life, Gray owned a Skye Terrier, Bobby, a dog that was truly devoted to him. And after Gray’s death, the loyal hound would turn up at the kirkyard every day to sit and grieve by his master’s grave. Bobby became famous in the city and continued his daily visits until he too passed away in 1872. Today you can visit Greyfriars and admire a handsome statue of the loyal hound. Best do so in daylight, though, since the graveyard’s said to be haunted by fearsome spirits of the night.

2. A ghostly bagpiper

Most Scots get a patriotic tingle up the spine when they hear the notes of a bagpipe. But there’s one Edinburgh bagpiper who’s more likely to strike fear into the hearts of listeners. He’s a young lad who, so the tale goes, came to an unfortunate end in the labyrinthine tunnels that run beneath Edinburgh Castle. These subterranean passages extend all along the Royal Mile.

Listen for the music

Apparently, some folks were curious about the extent of the mysterious tunnels. An entrance had been uncovered at the castle. It was only large enough for a child, though, so a young piper was sent down. He was to play his pipes as he progressed so those above could trace his route. But the pipes fell silent outside the Tron Kirk, about half a mile down the Royal Mile. The lad was never seen again. And ever since, many have reported hearing strains of ghostly piping coming from beneath that very street.