The darker corners of Scotland

There lies a unique journey awaiting newlyweds who wish to embrace their gothic hearts. A dark honeymoon is not just a celebration of love but an exploration into the shadow-draped corners of history, mystery and timeless romance.

Scotland, with it’s ancient castles and mist-shrouded landscapes, offers a perfect tapestry for this journey… but there’s darker, more intriguing tales to explore too.

Join us as we delve into Travelbug’s guide through Scotland’s most captivating dark tourist locations:

Inverness

Culloden Moor, the place where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s rebel army was crushed by government troops in 1746. Between 1,500 & 2,000 Jacobite men were slain and the brutal, relentless battle believed to have only lasted around 40-50 minutes! Visitors claim visions of the battle, and many have seen apparitions at the memorial cairns of the men who died. A refurbished visitor centre is open all year round.

Boleskine House. Former home of occultist Aleister Crowley (and subsequently Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin), this eighteenth-century manor had a history of strange tales long before Aleister Crowley occupied it. According to legend, the house was built on the site of a kirk (church) that burnt down during a congregation, killing everyone inside. Crowley purchased the house in 1899, believing it to be an ideal location to perform operations known as the Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage, to invoke one’s guardian angel. It includes summoning the 12 Kings and Dukes of Hell, to bind them but according to legend, Crowley was called away during the ritual and never banished the summoned demons.

In 2015, the house was almost destroyed by fire and in 2019, there was a further fire causing extensive damage. Restoration work has been carried out and tours of the house are now available.

Edinburgh

Mary Kings Close, The Royal Mile. Known as ‘Scotland’s Spookiest Street’, is one of any dark and mysterious lanes that lead off Edinburgh’s famous Royal Mile. Bricked up during a plague outbreak, it became known as the most haunted place in the Scottish capital. It was reopened to the public in 2003 and now offers guided tours of the Close.

Greyfriars Cemetery, known as the city of the dead, is where Burke and Hare started their macabre body-snatching business. It is also well-known for the faithful dog, Greyfriars Bobby who spent 14 years guarding his owner’s grave. Tours of the cemetery are available, with warnings of a poltergeist encounter on the booking page.

Bannockburn, Stirling

Here sits the site of the famous Battle of Bannockburn where the armies of Robert the Bruce, King of Scots and Edward II, King of England fought during the First War of Scottish Independence. The victory against the English at Bannockburn is one of the most celebrated in Scottish history and there are many statues and monuments in the area, as well as the Bannockburn Visitor Centre (within a stones throw of the William Wallace monument).

West Dunbartonshire

Overton Bridge, Dumbarton. Probably one of the most mysterious dark destinations in the UK. This bridge is reportedly the site of many unexplained dog suicides. In Celtic beliefs, the bridge is called a ‘thin place’ meaning it is where the realms of the living and dead cross. This has caused people to believe that the dogs can sense the spirits and are spooked enough to take their own lives. The dogs take the plunge from the exact same spot on the same side of the bridge.

These are just a few places available for discovery in Scotland. Why not get in touch to create the perfect road trip and stay in a historic tavern or haunted castle?

From Inverness, where the chill of Loch Ness waters reflects ancient myths, to Edinburgh’s cobbled streets, alive with the stories of spectral wanderers, Scotland enchants at every turn. Stirling, with it;s storied battlegrounds and magestic fortresses and West Dunbartonshire’s somber history whispers of times long past. Not to mention the magnitude of castles and breath-taking natural scenery at every turn, its easy to see why these ancient lands continue to cast their spell.