My Paranormal Bucket List - Glamis Castle

“Once upon a time, in a land far, far away……..”

Those words instantly transport me to a magical place. A place of kings and queens, knights and armor, heroism and treachery, battles won and battles lost. And at the center of it all, the majestic castle.

I have always been fascinated by castles. Not only are they breathtakingly beautiful, but their history is deep and rich. My paranormal bucket list just would not be complete without at least a few castles. Today, I will tell you about one of the most intriguing, Scotland’s Glamis Castle.

The castle was built in the 14th century for the Bowes-Lyons family, led by Sir John Lyon. Descendants of Sir John have inhabited the castle through the centuries. The Queen Mother, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, lived in the castle, and her daughter, Princess Margaret, was born there. The castle remains in the Bowes-Lyon family to this day.

The castle is steeped in mystery and still harbors many secrets to this day. It is widely believed that there are several hidden rooms within its walls. According to legend, the castle harbors a secret room that very few have ever seen. Some believe the room is where the physically deformed and mentally unstable son of the 11th Earl of Glamis was kept, out of the public eye, until his death.

Another more entertaining story is that of a secret room in which Earl Beardie gambled his soul to the devil. It is rumored that you can still hear the game being played and the Earl’s cries through the thick walls that sealed the room.

Another hidden room is the secret “room of skulls.” According to legend, the Olgilvies were running from their enemies, the Lindsays. They sought refuge at Glamis. Lord Glamis, who hated both families, showed them to a hidden room where he said they would be safe. However, Lord Glamis had other plans. He locked the room, and those inside died a slow, agonizing death from starvation. Centuries later, an Earl found the room, piled high with the skeletons of those who perished. It was such a disturbing sight, the Earl had it permanently sealed shut.

The castle is also said to be one of the most haunted in Europe. Stories of strange noises, objects moving, screams, and sheets being ripped from beds abound. However, it is the apparitions that take center stage at Glamis.

The most prominent apparition is that of the Grey Lady. The Grey Lady is said to be Lady Janet Douglas, the former wife of the 6th Lord of Glamis. When Lady Janet’s husband died, King James had her and her son imprisoned in the dungeon on charges of witchcraft, charges he fabricated to gain control of the castle. Nearly blind from her mistreatment in the dungeon, she was taken to Edinburgh Castle and burned at the stake despite her innocence. Ever since her execution hundreds of years ago, her figure has been seen wandering the castle grounds she loved so dearly.

One of the most disturbing is an apparition of a woman with a bloody face, who appears to be in a constant state of terror. Those who have gotten close enough report that the blood comes from her mouth, where her tongue had been viciously cut away. Many believe that she is the spirit of a servant girl who witnessed a brutal crime. To silence her, her tongue was cut out, and, in a state of shock, she bled to her death.

Several other spirits roam the grounds. A young boy is often seen sitting on a stone seat near the Queen Mother’s sitting room. Some believe he was a mistreated servant from centuries ago.

It is reported that the figure of a man can be seen watching over the children of the castle as they sleep. Others have seen a knight in full armor standing guard near some of the bedroom doors. Castle guardians still protecting the inhabitants after all these years.

The history of the castle and the legends that surround it are fascinating. What I wouldn’t give to spend some time within its fabled walls. It never hurts to dream, right? Once upon a time……….

 

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