We’re going to tell you about five spooky places to visit this October in Edinburgh for free.
If you visiting Edinburgh make sure to stop by these locations this October. If you've not booked your visit to Camera Obscura yet to participate in our Halloween trail, you can book online now here.
1. Greyfriars Kirkyard
You’ve likely heard of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier who kept watch over his master’s grave for 14 years. But few dare speak of bloody Mackenzie, the man who’s tormented soul is said to roam the kirkyard by night. In the 17th century, Mackenzie imprisoned over 1,000 covenanters for their faith, many perishing beside these very walls.
2. The Witches Well
This fountain, just before the Castle, marks the spot where between the 15th and 18th centuries, hundreds accused of witchcraft were burned at the stake. Few who pass today realise they walk over the same ground where many met their tragic end.
3. The Mercat Cross
In the 18th century visitors to Edinburgh gathered here to find a guide to show them around the city. But the cross was more than just a meeting place. Here, crowds gathered to witness executions for morbid entertainment. It remains a ghostly reminder of the city’s darker side.
4. Princes Street Gardens
Before the beauty of Princes Street Gardens we see today, there was the foul smelling Nor Loch, a man-made lake that once defended Edinburgh’s Old Town. Over time it became a dumping ground for the city’s waste. More then 300 people are believed to have been subjected to witch ducking here, their remains discovered centuries later.
5. Edinburgh Castle Esplanade
Many spooky tales surround Edinburgh Castle. One of the most chilling is that of the Headless Drummer. In 1650, guards reported seeing a young boy marching through the courtyard, beating a Scottish war tune on his drum. When they approached, they were horrified to find he had no head! Legend says that whenever the ghostly drummer appears again, it is a warning that the Castle is about to be attacked.