Deacon Brodie's Tavern and Brodie's Close, Edinburgh

Deacon Brodie's Tavern stands on the Royal Mile, a hub of Edinburgh's Old Town, where the infamous Deacon William Brodie once operated. By day, he was a respected citizen, but under the cover of darkness, he led a life of crime, eventually meeting his demise by hanging in 1788. His ghost is said to haunt the tavern, and witnesses claim to have seen him swiftly crossing the road to Brodie's Close, a narrow alleyway that now bears his name. This eerie apparition is a favourite among locals and tourists alike, who are drawn to the tavern in search of a paranormal encounter.

Roads close to St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh

Deep beneath the streets of Edinburgh's Old Town, a mysterious piper has been heard playing his tunes for centuries. The sound of his piping has been reported to emanate from the tunnels running under St Giles' Cathedral, a stunning example of Gothic architecture that has stood the test of time. It's said that a piper was once sent to investigate these very tunnels, but he became lost in the labyrinthine passages, leaving behind only the faint sound of his pipes. Locals and visitors alike have reported hearing the eerie melody drifting up from the ground, a haunting reminder of the piper's fate.

Cathedral, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Cathedral, a place of worship for centuries, has a darker side to its history. A woman visiting the cathedral felt three sharp blows to the back of her neck but was unable to see anything which may have caused the strikes. She spoke to a worker at the cathedral who told her that the blows had been reported previously, and that the person had later received bad news. Sure enough, the woman later discovered that her son had died in an accident which had occurred at the same time as the blows had been felt. This chilling incident has left many wondering if the cathedral is haunted by a malevolent spirit.

Mary King's Close, Edinburgh

Deep beneath the City Chambers in Edinburgh's Old Town lies Mary King's Close, a labyrinthine network of alleyways and dwellings that once bustled with life. This eerie underground world is said to be haunted by the restless spirits of former residents, including women, children, and old men, as well as animals. For over 350 years, people have reported strange sightings and unexplained occurrences in this area. In recent times, ghost hunters have captured evidence of a ghostly little girl and an 'impish' young boy, adding to the Close's reputation as one of Scotland's most haunted locations.

Mercat Cross, Edinburgh

Standing tall in Edinburgh's historic High Street, Mercat Cross has borne witness to centuries of the city's turbulent past. On a fateful day in September 1513, a chilling voice - allegedly that of the Devil or a demon named Plotcock, Platcock or Potcock - echoed through the area, calling out the names of men destined to die in the Battle of Flodden, a tragedy that would unfold the following day. The ominous pronouncements sent shockwaves through the crowd, but one man, Richard Lawson, took action, throwing a coin against the cross and appealing against the judgement in the name of God and Jesus. Miraculously, Lawson would be the only named person to survive the carnage.

Quaker Meeting House, Edinburgh

The Quaker Meeting House on Victoria Terrace in Edinburgh has a dark history that's left many people spooked. This place was once the home of Major Thomas Weir, a man who confessed to witchcraft back in the 18th century. His dark past led people to believe the house was cursed, and it was thought to be one of the most haunted houses in Edinburgh. One poor occupant fled after just one night, claiming to have seen a phantom calf roaming the rooms. The house was thought to have been demolished, but in 2014, it was discovered that it had been modified and incorporated into a new building.