Tulloch Castle

Tulloch Castle stands on a hilltop overlooking Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands, a striking fortress dating to 1466. Built by the Bain family and later owned by the Clan Davidson, the castle has served various purposes over the centuries before becoming a luxury hotel. Its thick stone walls, turrets, and grand rooms retain the atmosphere of medieval Scotland—along with at least one permanent resident who refuses to leave.

The Castle’s History

The name “Tulloch” derives from the Gaelic “tulach,” meaning hillock or small hill, referring to the castle’s elevated position. Over more than 500 years, Tulloch has witnessed: transformation from fortress to family home, use as a hospital during WWII, and conversion to a hotel in the late 20th century. Each era has left its mark on the building’s character, creating layers of history within the stone walls.

The Green Lady

Tulloch Castle’s most famous ghost is the Green Lady, a tragic figure from the 16th century who haunts the Pink Tower (also called the Princess Tower):

The Legend

The Green Lady is believed to be Elizabeth Davidson, daughter of the castle’s owner Duncan Davidson. According to legend, Elizabeth fell in love with a man her father considered unsuitable—possibly a commoner or member of a rival clan. Duncan Davidson forbade the relationship and locked Elizabeth in the Pink Tower to prevent her from seeing her lover. Heartbroken and desperate, Elizabeth attempted to escape by climbing down from her tower window. She fell to her death on the rocks below. Since that tragic night, Elizabeth’s spirit has haunted Tulloch Castle, particularly the Pink Tower where she was imprisoned.

Her Manifestations

The Green Lady appears in several forms: A woman in a long green gown walking the corridors near the Pink Tower, standing at windows, looking out, appearing in guest rooms, particularly in the tower, and sometimes seen descending the main staircase. The Pink Tower, now a guest accommodation, experiences the most activity: Guests waking to see her standing by the bed, the sensation of someone sitting on the bed, cold spots despite central heating, objects moved overnight, the rustle of fabric when no one is present, and an overwhelming sense of sadness. Other phenomena include the scent of roses when none are present, footsteps in empty corridors, doors opening and closing, cold drafts from sealed windows, the feeling of being watched, and electronic devices malfunctioning.

Guest Experiences

Numerous hotel guests have reported encounters with the Green Lady: In Room 8 (The Pink Tower), guests have reported “I woke at 3 AM to see a woman in green standing by the window,” “Something sat on the edge of my bed during the night,” “I felt a presence in the room, sad but not threatening,” and “The temperature dropped suddenly, and I heard someone crying.” Sightings have also been reported on the main staircase, in the Great Hall, in corridors near the tower, and in the castle grounds. Most witnesses describe the Green Lady as melancholy rather than frightening. She seems to be reliving her tragedy, trapped in an eternal loop of sadness and longing.

Other Paranormal Activity

Beyond the Green Lady, Tulloch Castle experiences additional phenomena:

The Great Hall

The impressive dining hall has its own activity: The sound of medieval feasting, phantom conversations, cold spots in specific locations, the sense of being watched while dining, and figures seen from the corner of the eye.

The Lower Floors

The older sections of the castle, including former servant areas, experience footsteps echoing through corridors, the clatter of dishes and kitchen sounds, voices speaking in Scots Gaelic, shadows moving along walls, and doors that won’t stay closed.

The Grounds

The castle grounds hold their own mysteries: The Green Lady seen walking in gardens, unexplained mist formations, cold spots in specific outdoor locations, the sense of something watching from the woods, and reports of seeing Elizabeth falling from the tower (a residual haunting).

The Davidson Connection

The Davidson family owned Tulloch for centuries, and their presence permeates the castle. Some researchers believe that family tragedy—Elizabeth’s death, clan conflicts, losses in battle—created strong emotional impressions that the building retains. Scottish castles often have “family ghosts,” spirits connected to the bloodline and history of the clan. The Green Lady represents this tradition—a Davidson daughter who cannot leave her ancestral home.

Staff Experiences

Hotel employees report regular encounters:

Housekeeping:

Housekeeping staff report finding Room 8 disturbed after cleaning, sensing a presence while working alone, hearing footsteps following them, and objects moved in predictable patterns.

Night Staff:

Security personnel have seen figures on monitors that aren’t present in person, reception staff glimpsing the Green Lady crossing the lobby, bar staff hearing sounds from empty rooms above, and maintenance workers refusing to enter certain areas alone.

Long-term Employees:

Those who have worked at Tulloch for years develop a relationship with the Green Lady: Some report warning her when they enter her tower, others claim she’s more active during certain times of year, and staff members have their own encounters they share quietly.

Highland Ghost Tradition

The Green Lady fits into Scottish Highland ghost traditions: Green is a significant color in Celtic mythology, fairy folk and supernatural beings often wear green, “Green Ladies” appear in multiple Scottish castles, and the color may indicate Elizabeth’s connection to the land and ancient traditions.

Some folklorists suggest “green ladies” represent an older tradition than historical ghosts—perhaps pre-Christian spirits that attached to castle locations.

Modern Investigations

Paranormal investigation teams have studied Tulloch Castle extensively: Evidence gathered includes photographs showing anomalous mist and light formations, EVP recordings with female voices speaking Scots Gaelic, temperature fluctuations measured and documented, EMF spikes in the Pink Tower, video footage showing unexplained shadows, and witness testimonies from credible sources. Room 8 has been subject to overnight vigils: Investigators report feeling watched, recording equipment captures unexplained sounds, temperature drops are measured repeatedly, participants experience emotional responses (sadness, anxiety), and some report seeing the Green Lady directly.

The Hotel Experience

Tulloch Castle embraces its haunted reputation. The hotel offers ghost tours of the castle, paranormal investigation weekends, historical talks about Elizabeth Davidson, the option to book Room 8 specifically, and staff who will discuss (discreetly) the hauntings. Many guests book specifically hoping for an encounter with the Green Lady. Others request rooms away from the Pink Tower. The hotel accommodates both preferences.

Sources

• Wikipedia search: “Tulloch Castle”
• Historic England — Listed Buildings — Register of historic sites