The Haunted Town of St. Andrews, Scotland

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Most of St. Andrews ghosts were born of tragedy, and bad luck is said to come to those who see some of them.

Ghostly animals

Close by the great ruined cathedral and the castle, a pig runs down the narrow road towards the sea.  Should you happen to be walking down this path, you might see a pig who will turn and look at you, which will leave you sick and trembling. This pig has a man’s eyes full of a desperate sadness, guilt, and shame, begging for your understanding and compassion.

Another ghostly animal is of a little dog heard to patter over floors which are no longer there in an old house in North Street.

The Ghost of Piper Jock

To hear the wild skirling of the ghostly bagpipes of young Piper Jock down the West Cliffs, or to see him walk the cliffs where no mortal could, will bring you not good luck but rather the reverse.

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It is told that a couple of centuries ago young Jock, for a bet, took his bagpipes for company and set out to explore the West Cliffs cave and the passages leading off it.  It was a New Year’s night of sparkling frost and moonlight.  He was never seen again.  His widow died of a broken heart, and was afterwards seen haunting the cave entrance looking for her husband. 

The Haunted West Cliff Cave

The West Cliff cave no longer exists today as a result of coastal erosion by the sea, and real estate developments during the Victorian times.  But the cave did exist between the castle and the Witch Lake.  It was remembered by the older folks at the turn of the century that this cave had an evil reputation.  When the tide is full on the East Sands between midnight and the first hour of the morning, this is the best time to see the recklessly driven coach with its black horses, headless coachman and skeleton outriders, hurtling its way seawards.  Those who have seen the coach speak of a white, terrified face staring out at them.  This is Cardinal David Beaton, and beside him sits the Devil with its hand on the Cardinal’s arm for the Devil knows his own.  The coach drives into the sea—and the Cardinal is carried off to hell.  Many in Scotland during Beaton’s time who would have wished him such an end.