Ghosts of Inverlochy Castle

Inverlochy Castle was built around 1280 by John Comyn “the Black”, Lord of Badenochof and Chief of the Clan Comyn, on the bank of the River Lochy at the entrance to the Great Glen. In 1300, John Comyn died peacefully at Inverlochy Castle.

His son, also John Comyn, was murdered in Greyfriars Church in Dumfries by Robert the Bruce in 1306. After Robert the Bruce was crowned King of the Scots, he captured and burned Inverlochy Castle.

Inverlochy Castle was involved in two notable battles. In 1431, Alexander MacDonald's forces defeated King James I's army. In 1645, the castle was again involved in conflict during the campaign of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montross, against the Covenanter forces under the Clan Campbell Chief, the Duke of Argyll. Both battles resulted in considerable loss of life, which local traditions hold is responsible for the lingering spirits that still wander the castle grounds.

Inverlochy Castle was abandoned in the 17th century and left to ruin, after Oliver Cromwell built a large timber fort nearby, which was eventually replaced by stone and renamed Fort William.

The castle is said to be haunted by the spirits of past Comyn family members and by souls lost in those battles. Visitors describe the castle ruins as atmospheric and chilling. Witnesses have reported seeing black, shadowy figures and unexplained footsteps in the castle when no one was present, as well as eerie sounds emanating from it.