Unlocking the Horrors of Jedburgh Castle Jail: Halloween Trail & Haunted History

Wee Walking Tours
46 minutes ago
7 min read

As this year’s spooky season has progressed, we have carved our pumpkins, baked a ton of treats, and decked our house to resemble a haunted pirated ship. However, we felt that we still needed to go and adventure to a haunted location in person. So, if you dare, we invite you to join us on a trip to one of the most haunted places in Scotland– Jedburgh Castle Jail!

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter and Arthur, stand in front of the gate at Jedburgh Castle Jail on a sunny day. Green grass and autumn leaves surround them.

While you are still running on the sugar rush from all the Halloween treats, please pause Hocus Pocus for a minute, so that we can head out to the historic town of Jedburgh in the Scottish Borders. The former royal burgh actually began its long history as ‘Jedworth’, which was later changed to ‘Jedburgh’. However, the old name still survives in the town’s name in Scots as ‘Jeddart’ (or Jethart). The main reason to point that out is that the old Scots name is part of the expression ‘Jeddart Justice’, which means- ‘Hang first, trial later’! So, if that phrase of turn doesn’t set the stage for a haunting Halloween adventure, I don’t know what does.

As usual, our eager guides, Walter and Arthur, were excited to visit Jedburgh again, especially when they heard the word ‘castle’ mentioned. Of course, that inspired them to get into the Halloween spirit by dressing up as kings. Walter, the lover of history that he is, pointed out that King Walters in history have mainly been fictional. So, he suggested that maybe he could pretend to be Walter Stewart, 6^th High Steward of Scotland, the son-in-law of King Robert the Bruce, and the father of King Robert II – the first Stewart King of Scotland. 🫅 🫅

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter and Arthur, stand in front of the gate at Jedburgh Castle Jail on a sunny day. They are both dressed as kings with crowns and capes. Green grass and autumn leaves surround them.

We thought that was a brilliant and very fitting idea. However, as for Arthur, he was just excited to play dress-up as King Arthur– like he does most days. 🤦‍♂️

We clarified to the boys that the historical castle on the site was demolished in 1409 by James Douglas, 7^th Earl of Douglas (he is buried with his wife Beatrice Sinclair at St Bride’s Kirk in Douglas, South Lanarkshire – pictured below).

Stone effigies of two figures lie in a carved alcove, surrounded by detailed gothic stonework, creating a somber, historic atmosphere.

We told them a bit about the troublesome history of the castle, as well as the town itself, including the numerous wars against the English. However, what we were visiting was the Castle Jail built in 1823.

With the site’s history in mind, and especially learning about it being a jail, Walter and Arthur concluded that what it needed was a couple of great guards- and are there any better guards around than lions? According to our boys’ Golden Retriever logic the answer is- No! Therefore, they volunteered to stay on guard outside while we ventured in to take part in Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum Halloween Activity Trail. 🦁 🦁

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter and Arthur, stand in front of the gate at Jedburgh Castle Jail on a sunny day. They are both wearing lion mane costumes. Autumn leaves surround them.

Just to be clear– this fun trail is set up to be enjoyed by children of all ages, but we urge caution, because in this haunted castle it is not the Halloween decorations, and other visible things that should spook you. Rather, it’s what you don’t see, and it’s what you might feel or hear!

You don’t have to take our word for it. With very minimal effort, you can find stories and videos of numerous paranormal investigations that have been conducted here. You can learn about some malevolent spirits like that of Edwin McArthur, an executed prisoner who still makes his dark presence known to those who dare to enter. 😱

Severed head on a hook with "TRAITOR" sign beneath. Dark, vintage aesthetic with ornate wallpaper background, evoking a chilling mood.

Who knows, you might even get glimpses of the Phantom Piper, often seen standing on the battlements of the castle, or perhaps witness other poltergeist activity including slamming doors or hearing unsettling messages from beyond our earthly realm.

A ghostly figure in a kilt plays bagpipes on a misty castle rampart. The scene is sepia-toned, evoking a mysterious, somber mood.

Still with us? Good!

Let’s start the trail with something less scary– the Jailer’s House. How scary could that be? Afterall, the Jedburgh Castle Jail, or I guess I should say Castle Gaol, was operational from its opening in 1823 until its closure in 1886. Many years later, in 1968, the old jail was renovated and opened as a museum that it still is today- Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum! 🏰

Jedburgh Castle Jail, made of stone, with a central archway, surrounded by green lawns and trees against a cloudy sky. Path leads toward the entrance. — Photo Credit: Mihael Grmek, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

More specifically, it’s the Jailor’s House that now houses the museum, which showcases not only the history of the castle, and the jail, but also that of Jedburgh and its surrounding areas. Therefore, we start the trail with history about Jedburgh Abbey, the majestic and romantic ruins of the twelfth century abbey that still dominates this lovely Scottish town.

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur and Walter, stand on mossy stones. The stone ruins of Jedburgh Abbey with arched windows is in the background under a clear sky.

After the abbey room, we take a wee peak at the room dedicated to Mary Queen of Scots, who visited Jedburgh in 1566 to hold court. She fell nearly fatally ill while in Jedburgh, so she ended up spending a lot more time here than she originally intended. She recovered from her illness in the house that is now the Mary Queen of Scots’ Visitor Centre.

Our Golden Retrievers, Angel Sawyer (lying down) and Angel Stirling (sitting) pose on grass in a colourful garden in front of the Mary Queen of Scots' Visitor Centre which is a stone building in the background. The sky is partly cloudy, cheerful mood. — Angel Sawyer and Angel Stirling at The Mary Queen of Scots' Visitor Centre

While browsing over some of the artefacts related to her, my phone starts to go all wonky, especially when I try to take a photo of the mannequin representing her!

Sepia-toned image of a mannequin of Mary Queen of Scots in elaborate clothing, sitting in a carved wooden chair. The setting is dimly lit, creating a nostalgic feel.

Let me see if I accidentally turned some strange filter on…

Okay, it seems to work again- phew!

Let me try to take another shot of the mannequin…

A mannequin of Mary Queen of Scots in vintage attire leans over an ornate chair in a dim, wood-panelled room with patterned curtains, creating a nostalgic ambiance.

Wait a minute- wasn’t she sitting before?! I don’t know about you, but I am out of here! I swear, it seems like Mary Queen of Scots haunts just about every old building in Scotland. I can’t believe that I am saying this, but I am glad to step out of the Jailor’s Block and into the Bridewell House of Correction cell block.

This is where we first meet John Howard, an early prison reformer who influenced prison systems across Britain and Europe. He advocated and believed that imprisonment was not to be just a punishment. Rather, the objective was to also rehabilitate and reform those in custody of the correctional facilities.

A wax figure in historical attire sits at a wooden desk with an open book and quill, inside a rustic room with a bright window.

What the heck is going on here? Did someone say his name three times? Because clearly Mr. Howard has morphed into Beetlejuice!

A wax figure in eerie green wig and skeleton makeup made to look like Beetlejuice, writing at desk in dimly lit room. Vintage effect, beams of light from window, open book.

Let me see if I can find answers in the next cell…A WITCH! 🧙‍♀️ I knew that someone powerful must be behind all these strange goings on.

A hooded figure holds a broom, sitting beside a cauldron in a rustic, sepia-toned setting. Leaves and shadows create a mysterious mood.

I bolt to the next cell to get away from the witch, and as I scramble to light the cell with my phone, I capture this image-

A sepia-toned image shows a human skeleton on top of a mort safe, creating an eerie mood. A textured wall forms the background.

A mort safe- something that we occasionally cover on our historical walking tours of Edinburgh. However, on this occasion, I am not sure if it is being used to keep the body snatchers and graverobbers out or to keep something in. ☠️ Next!

Wax figure in a werewolf mask and plaid shirt stands in front of a barred window. Rusty chains hang nearby, creating an eerie, vintage mood.

Are you kidding me – a werewolf! I thought that the moon wouldn't be full until next week. Now I am pretty much sprinting up the narrow stone stairwell to get to upper level of the cell block.

I know– I saw the rat too. 🐀 As I scurry through the hallway, I see flashes of a phantom guitarist. Please tell me that it wasn’t Slash! My mind is racing as fast as my heart now, as I think that if the guitarist and the piper team up, they would be practically halfway to having a band together.

A skeleton with a hat and wig plays guitar in a dimly lit stone-walled room, creating an eerie and vintage mood.

Dracula! That reminds me that I need to write about Slains Castle someday. 🧛‍♂️

A wax figure in costume as Dracula with glowing red eyes stands in a dim, stone room by a window with cobwebs. The eerie scene creates a spooky atmosphere.

As I approach the end of the hall, and the last cell, the air is pierced with the sound of electricity travelling through the air and a loud squeal! Now thoroughly shaken, I ponder for a second what that loud audible squeal was until I realize that it was me because I just stumbled into the cell with Dr. Frankenstein!

A man in a lab coat stands beside a covered body on a table in a vintage, sepia-toned room with old machinery and carved walls.

At this point, it’s just pure adrenaline and fear that repels me across the footbridge, back into the Jailer’s House, and the top floor of the museum. I have never been so happy to be back in a museum!

I try to settle my nerves by diving deep into Jedburgh history. I could go on for ages telling you about some of the remarkable people from Jedburgh and the surrounding areas. People like geologist, James Hutton; The Queen of Science, Mary Somerville; mapmaker, John Ainslie; astronomer, James Veitch; physicist and the inventor of the kaleidoscope, Sir David Brewster; and so many others. However, what I really want is that you get a chance to visit this fascinating and brilliant museum in person.

By the way, it’s not only the famous people that make this museum worth the visit, but also all the other town folk that make Jedburgh and its history marvelous. If you ask me, when it comes to the handba’- I don’t care if you are Uppies or Doonies- I wish you all luck! Same with the Border Games and the Callant Festival! Now, if you’re confused about what I am talking about, well, that’s just another reason why you should visit the museum, because then you would also know. 😉In the meantime, here's a wee carousel of photos from the Museum:

Now that my nerves are calmed with deepened knowledge and appreciation for Jedburgh’s colourful, rich history and customs, it’s time to make our way across another footbridge to the other side of the Jailer’s House, to the other adjoining cell block- the Mixed Prisoner’ Cell Block.

This cell block is not as nearly scary as the Bridewells, but it is a different kind of eerie. This block focuses more on the historical stories of the Castle Gaol. It’s certainly gripping and moving as I read through information boards about different prisoners- men, women and even children- and their daily routines, punishments, rations, and overall conditions that they endured.

All this history lulls me into my ‘happy place’, but, just like that, the peace is shattered with a MUMMY!

Mummy figure wrapped in tattered bandages, standing in a eerie, dimly lit room with pinkish tones. A spider crawls on them.

I wish farewell to the pharaoh and make my way to the reception and gift shop downstairs. I try to act calm and casual, so that I don’t look more petrified than all the laughing and smiling children who have completed the Halloween Trail and are collecting their awards for doing so.

As for me, I am ready to rush outside because I need a hug from a couple of lions after the horrors I have witnessed inside! 🦁 🦁

After being covered in golden glitter and doggy kisses from my boys, I can conclude that if you are ever around Jedburgh, we highly recommend a visit to their Castle Jail and Museum, regardless of the time of the year. But if you do happen to visit during the spooky season, you are in for a treat (and some tricks) in this haunted old jail in the otherwise beautiful and tranquil Scottish Border town of Jedburgh. 💙

Happy Halloween from all of us at Wee Walking Tours! 🎃 👻

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur and Walter, in capes sit on grass against an autumnal tree backdrop. Arthur is wearing a black bat wing cape and Walter is wearing a Dracula cape that is black on the outside but red on the inside. Both appear playful and joyful.

Oh no…the witch must have gotten to our boys too! 😨 🧛‍♂️ 🦇

Until next time- Explore & Discover!

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