Glamis Castle - Glamis Tayside Strathmore (Scotland)

damaralenoire · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 334 Location: South Wales UK

It is hard to believe that this beautiful castle which looks like it is right out of the pages of a children's fairytale is considered the most haunted castle in Scotland. Legends tell of Glamis to be home to a vampire, a witch, and several ghosts.

Glamis Castle is the historic seat of the Bowes-Lyons Family, the lands were presented to them as a gift by Robert the Bruce in 1372. The Bowes-Lyons family still own the castle as the earls of Strathmore, its members include the Queen Mother, who was born at Glamis and gave birth to Princess Margaret here. The main keep of the castle dates from the 14th century, and the majestic towers and turrets were added in later years.

The family chapel is haunted by a Grey Lady, who is said to be the spirit of Lady Janet Douglas, burned at the stake as a witch on Castle Hill, Edinburgh in 1537, on charges of plotting to poison the King. It is likely that the charges were fabricated for political motives. The apparition has been seen relatively recently in the chapel by a number of witnesses. She is also said to appear above the Clock Tower.

Another Glamis ghost is the apparition of a toungeless woman seen running across the castle grounds at midnight tearing at her mouth.

Glamis' vampire is believed a servant woman who was caught sucking the blood of her victim. According to legend she was walled up alive in a secret chamber, where she waits to be let lose again.

Sometime in the 1700's a rumor had started telling of a room which a secret so horrible only the Lords of Glamis, their heirs and the steward of the castle were allowed to view it. It is said this secret changed the Lords so much that even after their 21st birthday when they were shown the room, some refused to acknowledge the room for fear they would lose their sanity. In recent years several guests attending a party at the castle decided to look for the secret room. By placing towels in every window of the castle, they went outside to see only one window without a towel, but no one has ever been able to find the entrance to the secret room.

Other ghostly occurrences are of a more recent time including screams, banging noises, sheets being ripped off beds in the middle of the night, and doors that mysteriously open even though they are locked and bolted.

A guest staying at the castle was sitting up late one night; he glanced up at the window where he saw a face appear. It was very plae, with great sorrow in its eyes, and appeared as if it wanted to attract his attention. Suddenly it vanished, almost as if some superior strength had ripped it away from the window.

Another guest was staying in the Blue Room. She was awakened by a hand being brushed against her cheek. She awoke to see a ghostly face of a man with a beard hovering over her. Terrified she closed her eyes and when she opened them again the ghastly face had disappeared.

Information obtained from: Castle Ghosts of Scotland, Haunted Castles, Haunted Britain and Ireland, the Glamis Castle web site and various other articles.

flossy · Posted: Sun Apr 26, 2009 11:52 am Post subject:

some sad and scary tales there, certainly looks like a spooky place Laughing

damaralenoire · Joined: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 334 Location: South Wales UK

The following is the sad part of this pleace

The sadness intensifies around the Grey Lady. She can been seen kneeling in front of the altar praying. She is one of Scottish history's most tragic victims. Over 400 years ago the 6th Lord of Glamis married Janet Douglas. They had one son John. They lived a peaceful and happy life at Glamis until the of death her husband Lord Glamis, in 1528. Lady Janet was born into the Douglas Clan. Her brother was the stepfather of King James V. King James hated his stepfather, obsessed by a deep hatred for anyone who bore the Douglas name, King James would carry out a ruthless vendetta against them. Lady Janet became the center of King James' hatred. Lady Janet no longer had the protection of her marriage to Lord Glamis. King James confiscated Glamis Castle for the crown by accusing Lady Janet of witchcraft and of making deadly potions with which to kill him. No one ever doubted that these accusations were not true, but Lady Janet and her son were imprisoned in the dark dudgeons of Edinburgh Castle. Occupying Glamis, King James held court there from 1537 to 1542. Still in existence are many charters and royal decrees from the castle dated from this period. Throwing Lady Janet into prison was easy for King James, but convicting her of his trumped up charge of witchcraft would be difficult. Her character was impeccable, without blemish, and she was very much respected by everyone who knew her. In order to get the testimony he needed to convict her, the King resorted to torture. Her clansmen and servants were put on the rack and stretched to the point of agony. They finally gave false evidence against her. John, her son, who was 16 at the time was forced to watch in horror, before being brutality tortured himself. Using these savage tactics the King got his confessions. Lady Janet was convicted of witchcraft, and she and her son were condemned to death.

Taken from http://www.hauntedcastlesandhotels.com/Scotland/glamis.htm