Haunted Perthshire – 5 Spooky Stories from Scotland for Hallowe’en

Haunted Perthshire

Perthshire is one of Scotland’s largest counties by land mass but has a relatively small population. However, it is filled with tales of witches, ghosts and ghouls dating back centuries. Here are a few of our favourite stories from haunted Perthshire to get you in the mood for All Hallows een.

Hallowe’en in Scotland can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhuinn. This was held on the 1st November and marked the conclusion of summer and the harvest period with the onset of winter. Many of the customs are pagan in origin and have survived the advent of Christianity.

While pumpkin carving is a popular tradition in the US, this may have originated in Scotland. However, we used the humble neep (turnip) to ward off malevolent entities.

Guising is a typical tradition for children in Scotland on Hallowe’en. Children disguise themselves as evil spirits with the idea that this will stop them from being detected by wicked ghouls. Guisers don’t simply chap on the doors of their neighbours threatening ‘trick-or-treat’ and expect sweets. They must perform a ‘trick’ first – something like reciting a song, poem or joke – before receiving any treats.

Haunted Perthshire

So, on to our spooky tales of haunted Perthshire. Growing up here, we have heard many different accounts of the same stories, and even experienced a few first hand. Many of these legends have not been officially recorded but have been passed down through generations.

The Dunning witch

Just outside the quaint village of Dunning, lies a memorial to Maggie Wall. According to the stone, she was burned here as a witch in 1657. The stone cross stands on top of a pile of rocks and reaches nearly 20 feet tall, making it quite an imposing monument.

Between 1563 and 1736 almost 4,000 people, mainly women, were tried for witchcraft in Scotland.  Most of these were executed as witches. Often they were put in no win situations as part of the trial, such as being held under water for 5 minutes. If they survived, they must be assumed to be a witch and were subsequently executed. Of course, they didn’t survive.

Records show that six suspected witches were executed near Dunning in 1663, and that an alleged warlock, Johnnie Gothrie, was tried here in 1657. However, there are no records of Maggie Wall and no one knows who erected the monument or when. But, it is a chilling reminder of the barbaric treatment of people living on the outskirts of society in years gone by.

Kate McNiven

The town of Crieff sits on the side of Knock hill in the southern highlands. To the back of the Upper Knock lies Kate McNivens Crags.

The story goes that Kate McNiven worked as a nurse near the hamlet of Monzie (pronounced Mon- ee). Her family had come from the neighbouring town of Muthill – around 7 or 8km away – so she was considered to be an outsider. Along with her skills as a healer, she also had a talent as a prophetess. She was accused of witchcraft and subsequently sentenced to death.

As children of Strathearn, we were always told that Kate was sealed into a barrel and rolled down the face of the Crags. Should she survive, she is most certainly a witch! However, there are a few different variations to this story.

Our own experience of haunted Perthshire

The following is a true experience we had in haunted Perthshire. One day, when out walking our dog up the Knock, we walked through the dark pine trees and out the other side to the crags. Suddenly, my sister (then about 10 or 11) became very frightened of a dead tree at the top of the crags and our dog would not go near this black and empty trunk. So, we turned back and went another direction and thought nothing more of it.

A few days later, our Dad was chatting to the land owner and mentioned what had happened on our walk. He was told that Kate was, in fact, hung from that tree in the 1500s and the tree has stood dead for centuries after being cursed by the ‘witch’ before she died.

When doing a bit of research, years later, it seems that neither of these stories might be true. Accused of witchcraft by the local landowners at the time, Kate McNiven might have been burned at the stake erected at the top of the Crags. Locals and visitors reportedly gathered to watch her burn.

Either way, Kate met a sticky end. Her name is still evident throughout Monzie but there are no solid records of her death or trial as a witch.

The Haunted Huntingtower Castle

Huntingtower castle sits about 5 km North West of the city of Perth in Scotland. The castle dates back to the 15^th century and has a long and dark history. As well as being the scene for conspiring kidnap and murder of royalty in the 1500s, and guarding the crown for a spell, this castle is thought to be home to the ghostly Lady Greensleeves.

Dorothea was the daughter of the 1st Earl of Gowrie and lived in Huntingtower Castle. She was in love with a servant and would meet up with him at night in the castle’s East Tower. Legend has it, that one night her mother came looking for her in the servant’s quarters. Her only escape was to jump from the roof of the east tower, to the roof of the family’s quarters in the west tower. Some say she made the leap, others say she plummeted to her death.

Whatever happened to Dorothea, there are reports of a tall lady in a green silk dress wandering the halls of Huntingtower. If she is seen, it is said to be a bad omen and disaster will strike. In the 1930s, a traveller is reported to have seen Lady Greensleeves in a corridor of the castle. The next day he continued his journey to Fife and was drowned when he fell from the ferry taking him across the River Tay.

The guys at Scottish Paranormal recently did an investigation at the castle and caught some weird voices on record. Have a listen HERE to see what you make of it.

St Mackessog’s Church and Churchyard, Perthshire

This small graveyard and ruined church in Strathearn dates back hundreds of years. The grave stones are worn and sinking into the earth while bits of bones and teeth are slowly making their way to the surface. Less of a ghost story and more of, perhaps, some divine intervention, this tale doesn’t appear to be recorded online.

Every Sunday during the 17th century, the God fearing folk of Auchterarder would make their way to the small church outside the town. One Sunday morning, the whole roof collapsed and landed where the congregation had been sitting and the building was destroyed. This happened minutes after the last worshiper had left the church and so, fortunately, no one was hurt. Had this happened moments sooner, the whole population of the town could have been killed.

As kids, we used to play hide and seek in the graveyard. One day my brother was hiding in the doorway of the tomb. He must have leaned back on the rusted padlock as the door swung open. Of course, he ran away screaming. The council was called to come and reseal the chamber.

A93 north of Blairgowrie

The A93 is a road that runs north of Blairgowrie in Perthshire. A large ghost dog has been sighted here and is said to frighten other dogs and horses. It has been likened to a ‘Hellhound’ – mythological dogs used as guardians of the entrances to the underworld – with harsh, tangled fur and glowing, red eyes. According to legend, if you stare straight into their eyes three times you will die.

Haunted Perthshire

There are many more ghost stories and spooky tales from haunted Perthshire. But this is also the most beautiful and charming part of Scotland, in my opinion. When you visit, just make sure to check under your bed before you go to sleep at night.

Want to read a bit more? Try our blog about the Secret Village of Craignavar, Scotland or read Fascinating Tales and Mythical Creatures from Balkan Folklore.

Have you visited Perthshire or Scotland generally? Do you know any great stories or terrifying creatures? Drop a comment in the box, we’d love to hear from you!