Edinburgh Castle, situated on Castle Rock, has a rich history filled with intriguing facts and legends about its dungeons. From prisoners of war to witches, the castle’s vaults have witnessed a dark and grim past.
History of the Dungeons
The dungeons of Edinburgh Castle were used to hold a variety of prisoners, including French privateers, American sailors, and pirates. The first prisoners were French privateers captured in 1758 during the Seven Years’ War. The youngest prisoner was a five-year-old drummer boy captured at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
The dungeons were a place of torture, pain, and misery. Many visitors have reported paranormal activity, with orbs and strange light anomalies captured on camera, suggesting a haunting presence.
Escape attempts were not uncommon. In 1811, 49 prisoners escaped through a hole in the defenses, but all except one were recaptured.
Types of Prisoners
Prisoners of War
Hundreds of prisoners of war were held in the dungeons, including sailors from various countries such as France, America, Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, Denmark, and Poland.
Pirates
Caribbean pirates, including members of Black Bart’s crew, were also held in the vaults before they became a prison of war. Many were hanged.
Witches
Edinburgh Castle was also a site for witch trials and executions. Over 300 women were tortured and burned at the stake during the 16th century.
Current State and Tourism
Today, a recreation of the vaults as they would have looked around 1800 offers visitors a glimpse into the grim way of life for prisoners. Edinburgh Castle is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, with over 1.5 million visitors in 2015.
Paranormal Activity
The most frequently sighted ghostly figures at Edinburgh Castle include the Bagpiper, whose ghostly music is heard frequently underneath the castle, and the Headless Drummer Boy, whose drums can still be heard today. Many tourists have also reported strange occurrences and sightings in the dungeons, including orbs and light anomalies.
Additional Facts
- Edinburgh Castle is built on a massive Castle Rock, part of an ancient extinct volcano formed 350 million years ago.
- The castle housed many prisoners of war in the 18th and early 19th centuries.