Once known as Castle Weem, Castle Menzies is believed to be haunted. It’s a popular venue for organised ghost hunts for tourists and more thorough investigations from paranormal investigators.
The castle was built in 1488 by Sir Robert Menzies and was then rebuilt some tween between 1502 when the castle took significant damage and 1571. Cromwell’s army used the castle in 1650, in 1715 the Jacobites captured it and in 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie rested here on his way to Culloden.
Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last Maharajah of the Sikh Empire, lived in the castle between 1855 and 1858.
By 1918 the last of the Menzies (pronounced locally as Mingies) line who lived in the castle died and in 1857 the castle was purchased by the Menzies Clan Society and restoration work began
Hauntings
A number of paranormal investigators have recorded quite a volume of encounters in the castle. The following is just a selection of the more frequently mentioned locations.
There are reports of shouting being heard near the chief’s bedroom and one of the Victorian bedrooms is said to be a cold spot.
It is said that forms of three evil-looking women, possibly witches, have been seen in the meat cellar. The wail of a cat has also been reported alongside paranormal incidents but the are many places for a real cat to prowl unnoticed in Castle Menzies.
The corridor in front of the cellars is sometimes filled with strange smells. Crunching sounds are sometimes heard coming from it.
The so-called “Pink Room” is frequently involved with paranormal reports. People have heard footsteps, seen things by the windows and heard clanking sounds.
It is likely there has been both natural and unnatural death at the castle as it has been the site of conflict.
In Pure Spirit
Have you been on a ghost tour or investigation at Castle Menzies in Scotland? Did you encounter or feel anything?
Let us know in the comment sections below.
Many years ago I visited. I did not know that the castle had paranormal but I do remember a strong feeling of pressure , as if something did not like my presence, and which ended on departure.
I come from a spiritualist family, mother and aunts were all mediums. when at chillingham castle I had a sensation of being watched, and Mum was glad to be away as she felt the radiant boy and a terrible sense of grief.