Watherstone, nr Stow, Lothian
A phantom lorry has been seen travelling along the A7 from Stow towards Edinburgh and local inhabitants have noticed the speedy but silent approach of this rather old-fashioned looking vehicle, driven by what has been described as a rather evil-looking man, travelling along an old sheep track on the approach to Watherstone Hill, before joining the main road.
Several accidents have been caused by motorists swerving to avoid this apparition.

Penkaet Castle, nr Tranent, Lothian
Penkaet Castle, or Fountainhall House, is haunted by the ghost of John Cockburn, who once owned the property some centuries ago and who murdered a man there; Alexander Hamilton, a beggar who was hanged for witchcraft, and a haunted bed that was once occupied by King Charles I. Sir Andrew Lauder, who at one time owned the property, was said to have been absolutely terrified when, as a child, he saw an apparition near one of the fireplaces in an upper room.
The manifestations associated with a bed, once used by Charles I, seem to have started in 1923 when the four-poster, upon which there is a reproduction of King Charles' death mask, was moved into the house after it had been presented to the then owner, Professor Holbourn, by some of his students.

In 1924 a visitor was shown into the room and the bedclothes were found in a disarranged state as if the bed had been slept in. The housekeeper was not at all disturbed about the matter for, although she had only just left the room a short while previously, when the bed had been perfectly tidy, she had seen this happen many times before with that particular bed in the short time that it has been at Penkaet. Repeatedly, even though precautions were taken to ensure that nobody could enter the room, the bedclothes on the bed were found as if the bed had been slept in. Noises, comparable with somebody moving about the room, using the bed and moving furniture, and even of a person falling out of bed, were heard coming from the room although at the time the room was locked and unused. On one occasion, when a lady visitor was asleep in the bed at night, worried occupants of the house raced to the room to help her as they thought that they had just heard her fall out of bed, only to find her still sleeping peacefully in the bed.
Many years ago, Alexander Hamilton, a local beggar who practised wizardry, called at Penkaet and was turned away empty-handed. In revenge the spiteful Hamilton is said to have returned to Penkaet at the dead of night and bound the gates with blue thread, an act of witchcraft. Two days later Lady Ormiston, the lady of the house, and her eldest daughter, were both dead as a result of a mysterious illness. But Hamilton did not escape and was brought to trial and confessed to being responsible for the two deaths and other felonies and was hanged at Castle Hill, Edinburgh. On certain nights of the year Hamilton's ghost returns to Penkaet, his shadowy form being seen hanging around the gates to repeat his wicked deed, but it no longer has any effect.
The apparition of a small man dressed in a cloak has been seen emerging from a cupboard and walking the whole length of the room before disappearing through a wall. This is thought to be the ghost of John Cockburn, a previous owner who murdered a man called Deton there. However, in spite of his brutal deed he is known as "Gentleman John" because whenever the occupants hear sounds that can be attributed to him they call out "stop it John" and the ghost kindly obliges.

Culzean Castle, nr Dunure, Strathclyde
Culzean Castle was the scene of the roasting to death of a member of the Stuart Clan in 1570 and echoes of this gruesome act have been witnessed even in recent years.
In the 16th century the castle was the home of the Kennedy Family and it was Gilbert Kennedy, fourth Earl of Cassillie, who had Alan Stuart, Commendator of Crossraguel Abbey, seized. Alan Stuart was taken to the Black Vault, stripped naked and bound to a spit and then roasted in front of a great fire. Under such pressure he signed a document giving the lands of Crossraguel Abbey to the Earl, but six days later was roasted again before he could sign a confirmation document. For this act, which nearly cost Alan Stuart his life, Gilbert Kennedy was fined the sum of £2,000 by the Privy Council but kept the lands he had forcibly acquired. He paid Alan Stuart a life pension.
Since that time the crackling and roaring sounds of a great fire have been heard coming from within the walls of the castle, accompanied by screams and sobs that fade away into the silence. Strangely enough the sounds have been heard mainly on Sunday mornings.
In 1972, three servants of the castle independently saw an indistinct shape in the dungeons but it is though that this is the ghost of a Kennedy piper who was murdered at the castle.

Barbreck, nr Ford, Strathclyde
A mysterious hooded maiden has been seen at Barbreck Estate, on Loch Craignish, in the valley of the River Barbreck, standing on the road from Ardfern to Ford. She invariably wears a dark unidentified tartan. She has long hair and a hood hides her features.
It is not known who she is or what she is waiting for. As soon as she is approached, she disappears.

Glen Aray, nr Inverary, Strathclyde
On a warm and sunny day in 1765, a farmer and his son walked from their home in Glen Aray to neighbouring Glen Shira, where both had business to attend to. As they walked over the hills on their return journey they decided to walk home the longer but easier route through Inverary. They had just turned northwards when they were astonished to see a great number of soldiers marching in regular order towards them.
Both farmer and son watched the marching columns for a considerable time, marching six and seven abreast. The rear ranks were observed to be continually running forward in order to catch up with those in the front of them. The farmer remarked at the time that this invariably happened on a long march and advised his son that should he ever join the Army he should always volunteer for the front ranks, where the pace was always that much more leisurely. Accompanying the soldiers were women and children on either side, carrying pots and pans and other items of culinary. The soldiers were clothed in red and the sun was seen to gleam on their muskets and bayonets. They were led by an officer on a horse, the only mounted man in the large convoy. He was wearing a gold-laced hat with a blue Hussar jacket, boots and spurs, and was riding a grey dragoon horse.
The father, who had served with the Argyllshire Highlanders twenty years previously and had actually fought at the Battle of Culloden, said that the troops must have come from Ireland and were probably on their way to England. In his experience he had never seen such a large army and estimated the number to be far greater than the total combatants at the decisive battle in 1746.

Both men watched for a considerable period of time until the younger man, fearing possibly that he might be taken with them if he remained in view, climbed over a stone wall to hide. The older man, being far too old for military service, had no such fears and remained watching the endless convoy of Redcoats. Then suddenly the army vanished. Both men were completely astounded at the sudden disappearance of such a large body of men.
On their way home they met an old man called Stuart, from Glen Shira, an old friend of the farmer. They asked him if he knew what had happened to the mysterious army. The old man was startled at the question because, although the army must have passed him, indeed it had not.
No other person had seen the phantom army and there was no record of any troop movements of such a large number of men in that area at that time. Both men were regarded as being totally honest and incapable of telling a lie. They had both only drunk milk that day.

Inverary Castle, Inverary, Strathclyde
Inverary Castle, the seat of the Dukes of Argyll, is haunted by "The Harper of Inverary", who was hanged by Montrose's men on the site of the castle before it was built. His music has been heard and he has been seen in various parts of the castle, including the Green Library, and on the stairs. He always wears the Campbell tartan and never seems to harm or frighten people who see him. He is normally seen and heard by women, very rarely men.
Before the death of a chief of the Campbell Clan, or a near relative, a ghostly galley, bearing a strong resemblance to the ship on the Campbell's' coat of arms, is seen on the Loch, with three spectral figures on board. It is said to pass up the Loch and then disappear overland.
Inverary Castle was once the scene of a martial vision during the fighting in North America between the British and the French. Sir William Bart, a noted doctor of his day, was walking with a friend in the grounds on 10th July, 1758, accompanied by a servant. Suddenly, he and his two companions saw the enactment of a battle in the sky in which men in the uniform of a Highland Regiment appeared to be attacking a fort defended by French troops. After a short fight, they were to witness the Highlanders retreating, leaving behind them a large number of dead. The same scene was simultaneously witnessed by two ladies on the road to Kilmalieu.
Weeks later news came from Canada that on that same day a British force of 15,000 men, under General Abercromby, had attacked the French fort of Ticonderoga, held by the Marquis de Montcalm, and after a bitter action had been forced to withdraw leaving behind 1,994 dead. In this action, the 42nd Regiment Black Watch lost half of it's men, including 25 officers killed or wounded.

Duntrune Castle, Lochgilphead, Strathclyde
Until 1729, 12th century Duntrune Castle was the home of the Campbells of Duntrune and is haunted by the ghost of a piper who was sent to spy out the land and was killed violently as a result.
In the 17th century Ulsterman MacDonnel Coll Ciotach, known as "The Left-Handed One", landed at Kintyre and marched northwards, destroying everything in his path that was associated with the Campbells. Finally he reached Duntrune and sent his piper in to spy out the strength of the castle's fortifications and garrison.
The piper was admitted immediately locked in one of the turrets. Realising the Duntrune was impregnable and that he himself had no way of escape, the piper decided that the only way to warn his Irish Lord was to signal him with his pipes. Looking from the turret window he saw MacDonnel Coll Ciotach's ship at anchor on the Loch and immediately began playing the Pibroch - "The Piper's Warning". The Irishman heard the warning and turned his ship about. Realising what the piper had done the Campbells cut off his fingers and then had him butchered.
For many years the castle was haunted by the sound of the Pibroch. In 1910, during alterations, the fingerless skeleton of a man was found hidden in the ancient walls. In the 1960's, whilst the kitchens were being modernised, workmen found the skeletal remains of two hands under the kitchen floor. Although the skeleton, minus hands, was given a "Christian burial" in 1910 by the then tenant, who was a Scottish clergyman, this does not appear to have stopped strange happenings that have occurred from time to time since. Strange knockings on doors have been reported, pictures have fallen from walls for no apparent reason, and on one occasion a number of heavy pewter pots were thrown to the floor as if by invisible hands.
It is thought that one reason for the continued phenomena is that the piper was almost certainly a Roman Catholic and being buried in accordance with Protestant Rites has probably done nothing to ease his peace of mind. Perhaps the intervention of a Catholic priest is what he wants.

Dustaffnage Castle, nr Oban, Strathclyde
Dustaffnage Castle, situated on Loch Etive, was built on the site of an old fortress that was certainly in existence before the Roman Occupation of Britain. The castle is haunted by the ghost of a lady known as "The Scanniag" or "Elle Maid". She has been seen sometimes dressed in white, sometimes in green.
The reason for her haunting is unknown but she often appeared when the Campbells controlled Dustaffnage and showed signs of sorrow immediately before the death of members of the Campbell Family, and joy before an event that was to bring them happiness. She also used to annoy people by pulling off their bedclothes and often woke up family and guests by stamping up and down the floor. In particularly, she seemed to enjoy teasing children in their beds.

Inverawe House, Taynuilt, Strathclyde
One of the earliest known ghosts of Inverawe, which has been owned by the Campbells for over 400 years, is that of Donald Campbell, brother of Duncan Campbell. Donald had been stabbed to death near Balcadine Castle by a Stuart of Appin, who was cunningly to escape the consequences of his action by taking sanctuary at Inverawe. Donald's ghost indicted Stuart but Highland hospitality could not be broken and as Stuart had entered Inverawe as a guest he could not be harmed, not even for the murder of a member of the family, and could only expect to be allowed safe conduct without fear of harm. The ghost of Donald was to visit Duncan three times and after Duncan had refused to take revenge, which would have broken the strict code of hospitality which was expected of him as a Highland chief, the ghost finally told his brother that he would "meet him at Ticonderoga", words that meant absolutely nothing to Duncan at the time as he had absolutely no idea where the place might be.
Years later, Duncan Campbell, Lord of Inverawe, was a major in the Black Watch Regiment and was sent to North America in 1758 to fight against the French. On 17th July, 1758, the Black Watch went into action against the fort of St Louis. The regiment suffered horrendous casualties and Major Campbell was killed in the first attack. It was only just before the attack began that he was to learn that the Indian name for the fort was Ticonderoga. At the time of his death he appeared at Inverawe and the family knew instantly that he was dead, a fact that was to be confirmed weeks later when the news of the battle arrived from America. The Ticonderoga Room was named as a memorial to him. Donald Campbell was never seen again at Inverawe but the ghost of Duncan Campbell is said to have haunted the house ever since.
The ghost of a woman, with golden hair and wearing a long green dress, has been seen many times at Inverawe and is thought to appear only before bona-fide members of the Campbell Family. There is strong local opinion that she is the legendary Maid of Collard, but it is more likely that she was the mistress of one of the Campbells many years ago who, for some unknown misdemeanour, had her buried alive.
Her hauntings seem to centre on the Ticonderoga Room, which she must have enjoyed during her lifetime on this Plane. In 1912, loud screams were heard coming from that room, which had just been emptied of all it's furniture prior to the new owners moving in, the very night before they were due to arrive. Shortly after the Second World War a guest, who had been out fishing all day, was putting up his rods upon his return to Inverawe, when he noticed "Green Jean", as she was known, walking along the gallery that overlooks the hall. She went into the Ticonderoga Room and vanished.
In August, 1967, a guest was rather rudely awakened when she actually turned him over in bed. She has been known to be very helpful, on one occasion actually laying out soap and towels for a guest.
"Green Jean" has also been seen outside the house. A shepherd was astonished to see her ghost and even more astonished to see his sheep actually making way for her as she passed through their ranks. On another occasion she is said to have scared workers at a nearby hydro-electric project when she was seen walking along the Inverawe Road towards the house, where in full view of the men she vanished.

Ballechin House, Strathtay, nr Dunkeld, Tayside
Ballechin House was built in 1806 on the site of an old manor house which had been owned by the Stuart Family for over three centuries. In 1806 Robert Stuart was born in the new house. In 1825, at the age of 19, he went to India to seek his fortune with the East India Company and returned in 1850 after reaching the rank of Major, returning to Ballechin, which he had inherited 16 years previously in 1834. As the house had been let to tenants he lived in a small cottage in the grounds until their lease expired.
The local population regarded him as a bit of an eccentric. He was deeply religious but after 25 years service in India had added various oriental beliefs to his convictions, including the idea of transmigration of the soul. He vowed that when he died he would return to Ballechin in the body of his favourite black spaniel. He scorned the company of humans, preferring dogs, and he had 14 of them in the house. The only person with whom he associated was Sarah, his housekeeper, who died mysteriously at the age of 27, in 1873. It was not lost to local gossip that she had died in his bed, as opposed to the servants' quarters, where housekeepers normally slept. It was this master bedroom that was to become the most haunted room in the house.
Major Stuart died in 1874 and was buried at Logierait churchyard in the grave next to Sarah. His nephew, John Stuart, who took over Ballechin House, shot all the dogs, starting with the black spaniel, almost certainly to forestall Robert Stuart in his declared intention of returning to the house after his death. John Stuart was a devout Roman Catholic. His first task was to convert the cottage in the grounds into a retreat for nuns. Robert Stuart's sister, Isabella, had become a nun, taking the name of Sister Frances Helen. She died at a convent on 23rd February, 1880, and was to become a regular visitor to the house after her death.
The first sign of a haunting occurred shortly after Robert Stuart's death. John Stuart's wife, having just moved into Ballechin, was busy in the Major's old study one day when she noticed a strong smell of dogs in the room. Whilst she was opening the window to get rids of the "foul smell" she felt a nudge on her leg. Looking down she could see no animal but she described it as if an invisible dog had rubbed itself against her. This was to be followed a few days later by the sounds of knocking and also the distinct sound of a gun being fired. Quarrelling was to be heard later but the words were indistinct.
  By the end of the 1870's the situation had become that bad that the Stuart's governess left. A Jesuit priest, Father Hayden, who often stayed at Ballechin, heard the sounds on many occasions, including the sounds of screams. On one occasion he heard the sound of what appeared to be a dog banging on his bedroom door but when he opened the door to investigate there was nothing there. Later on Father Hayden was to meet the former governess, purely by chance, and upon discussing Ballechin learned that he had slept in the two worst rooms of the house.

In January, 1895, John Stuart was in the Major's old study one day, talking to his agent about estate business, when they were disturbed by three loud thudding sounds which were heard coming from inside the room. This must have been an omen because a short while later John Stuart died in London after being run over by a cab.