Boasting a reputation as Scotland’s ‘most important and complete example’ of a 15th century Medieval Scottish castle, it would be strange if the beautiful Comlongon Castle did not have its resident ghosts.
Sir Cuthbert Murray built it as a border outpost and its walls – an impressive thirteen feet thick – were certainly designed to keep out unwanted visitors.
'But what about the ghosts?' I hear you cry. I'm coming to that:
The tragic spirit of Marian Carruthers is said to haunt the castle. She originated from nearby Borthwick Castle but, in 1564, her father arranged a marriage for her. Rather than face a loveless union, she ran away and sought refuge under Sir Charles Murray’s protection at Comlongon. He took her in and, in gratitude she awarded him half her estate. Her father wasn’t to be deterred though and some versions of the story state that he pursued a legal case to force her into the marriage against her will. And it didn't end well.
She fell from the highest window in the castle’s tower – whether by accident or design is not known for sure although there is a theory that Sir Charles was greedy enough to want his share of her estate sooner rather than later and pushed her to her death. Others say she threw herself off the tower rather than acquiesce to her father’s demands.
Whatever the truth of it, her father refused to pay for a proper burial and she was interred in an unmarked grave in the woods nearby – in unconsecrated ground.
On the spot where her body landed, nothing will grow and her ghost walks in the garden on the anniversary of her death – September 25th – every year. She has also been seen in various locations in the castle itself.
She also appears nearby at an inn and the owners have encountered her on a number of occasions.
But she isn’t the only ghost of Comlongon.
A small child has been reported in various locations and, as part of the castle was used during the war to house evacuated pre-school age children, could it be one of them? The sound of childish laughter has been heard when there are none present or staying at the castle.
It's certainly an interesting place to lay your head at night. Guests staying in the beautiful 4-poster rooms have reported banging noises, the sound of furniture being dragged across the floor and various other phenomena they could not explain. In the room said to have been used by Marian Carruthers, a honeymoon couple was awakened by noises including what sounded like a heavy bottle (champagne?) being banged against a solid object – maybe furniture or the floor.
There have also been a number of manifestations in the Great Hall, including actual physical sightings, and smells ranging from cigarette smoke to apples.
Whether for a creepy night of supernatural mayhem, a visit to a place of particular historical interest or a special celebration, it seems Comlongon Castle delivers on all fronts. Until a few years ago, the privately owned castle was run as a hotel and top wedding venue, but, sadly, it has now ceased trading. The ongoing costs of renovation and upkeep of such a magnificent building proved too much.
Let’s hope poor Marian finds rest though. She has been wandering there for far too lon
Let’s hope poor Marian finds rest though. She has been wandering there for far too lon
Meanwhile, in 1940, Chanterlands is having its fair share of hauntings too...
“You don’t belong here. None of you do. None but us….”
1940. Fourteen-year-old Pamela Courtney is evacuated to Chanterlands where she will live with her two spinster aunts: Jilly, the eccentric one, who dreams of her days as a star of the silver screen, and Bunny, ever practical and down-to-earth.
But Chanterlands is home to more than just the living and some of them do not rest in peace. There’s the long-dead lonely boy whose room she sleeps in - and that’s only the start.
Pamela discovers the long-neglected attic and, as she sorts through the assorted detritus accumulated over generations of her forebears, more ghosts stir, and an ancient feud reveals just one of the sinister secrets of this once-great house.
But, in the grounds, there is much more danger awaiting Pamela during that summer long ago when war waged all over Europe and the safety her mother had wished for her took a dark and fatal turn.
Coming out on August 18th 2026, available for pre-order at:
Hardback: https://mybook.to/GhostsChanterlandsHB
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Nick Wells/Flame Tree Press Studio
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