Dark-History-Scotland Archives - Wandering Crystal

Halloween in Edinburgh: 30 Spooky Things to Do in 2026

Crystal — Fri, 19 Jun 2026 20:04:54 +0000

Want to spend Halloween in Edinburgh? Edinburgh is the most haunted place in Scotland, so it is the perfect place to spend the spooky season. There is a ghost story tied to almost every location in the city. With tales of ghosts, witches, and lost bagpipers, you can explore them all on Halloween. So, if...

Witches in Scotland

Crystal — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:09:02 +0000

As the panic of witchcraft swept over Northern Europe, witches in Scotland were not something to be feared. Scotland had its fair share of healers and herbalists. However, these people (who were also known as witches in Scotland) weren’t seen as evil beings working with the devil. Many of them were sought out to help...

Read more of Witches in Scotland at Wandering Crystal.

The 10 Best Cemetery Tours in Edinburgh

Crystal — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 02:06:01 +0000

Do you love graveyards? Why not take one of the best cemetery tours in Edinburgh to fuel your love of exploring Gothic tombstones that line several of Edinburgh’s most history cemeteries? Edinburgh is known for its incredible architecture and history, cobblestone streets, gorgeous cemeteries, and graveyards. From the dark history of an open-air prison in...

Edinburgh Castle Ghosts – Is Edinburgh Castle Haunted?

Crystal — Sat, 11 Feb 2023 00:49:48 +0000

Have you ever wondered if Edinburgh Castle is haunted? With over 900 years of history, surely there have been at least one or two ghosts spotted on the grounds, right? Or weird whispers could have been heard from the stone walls. Or could it just be gusts of wind mistaken for whispers and cold spots throughout...

The Dark History of Half Hangit Maggie

Crystal — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 21:56:26 +0000

On September 2nd, 1724, a young woman named Margaret Dickson faced a crowd of onlookers booing her, excited to see her fall to her death, hanged on a gibbet in the Grassmarket in Edinburgh. However, about an hour after Maggie was declared dead and lying in a coffin, making her way to Musselburgh to be...

The 16 Best Edinburgh Vaults Tour in 2026

Crystal — Sun, 31 Jul 2022 01:46:00 +0000

Are you looking for the best Edinburgh vaults tour and unsure which one is for you? Do you want to make your Edinburgh underground tour extra spooky with tales of ghosts and dark history? Or would you prefer a tour that only focuses on Edinburgh’s history? Whether it is your first visit to Edinburgh’s underground...

13 Books Set in Scotland That Everyone Should Read

Crystal — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 00:20:12 +0000

Get ready to be whisked away to the beautiful Scottish landscape and historical cities with these 13 books set in Scotland. From stories dating back to the Jacobite Rebellion. From stories of accused witches to stories of travelling throughout time in Scotland. These books about Scotland will transport you to the hauntingly beautiful hills and...

Mary King’s Close – Edinburgh’s Plague Infested Underground Street

Crystal — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 21:00:00 +0000

Deep beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile sits a dark secret. Once rife with the plague, a narrow alleyway is buried underground in Edinburgh’s City Chambers. Mary King’s Close was located in the center of Edinburgh’s Old Town during the 17th century. The close was named in 1630 after Mary King, a fabric merchant who built her...

Historic Edinburgh Cemeteries to Explore

Crystal — Fri, 04 Dec 2020 14:11:58 +0000

I’m an avid fan of old cemeteries, and Scotland has them in abundance. Edinburgh, Scotland’s compact and hilly capital, is home to magnificent historical cemeteries you shouldn’t miss during your visit. Such as the world’s most haunted graveyard, which inspired the creation of several Harry Potter characters and is known for its connection with one...

Burke and Hare Edinburgh Tour: The Best Self-Guided Tour of the Burke and Hare Murders

Crystal — Sat, 14 Mar 2020 15:00:00 +0000

Follow the trail of Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killing duo and explore the real sites of their murders on a Burke and Hare Edinburgh tour. The infamous duo used to prowl the city’s streets in search of their next victim they could transform into a corpse to sell to anatomy students for their next dissection...