History of Old Inverlochy Castle
Old Inverlochy Castle was built around 1270 by John Comyn, Lord of Badenoch, and is regarded as one of the finest surviving medieval castles in Scotland. The fortress occupies a strategic position overlooking the meeting of the River Lochy and River Nevis, making it an ideal defensive stronghold. The castle has witnessed some of Scotland's bloodiest conflicts. It was the site of the First Battle of Inverlochy (1431) between the forces of Alexander, Lord of the Isles, and the Royal Army. More famously, it was the location of the Second Battle of Inverlochy (1645) during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, where James Graham, Marquis of Montrose, defeated the Covenanter army under the Earl of Argyll. Hundreds of soldiers are believed to have died in and around the castle, giving the site a long association with death, suffering and tragedy. Although abandoned as a residence centuries ago, the castle remains remarkably well preserved and is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland.
Reported Activity
Old Inverlochy Castle has developed a reputation among paranormal investigators and visitors alike for unexplained activity. Reports over the years include:
- Shadow figures seen moving through the towers.
- Feelings of being watched, particularly near the gatehouse and tower rooms.
- Sudden cold spots.
- Strange lights appearing inside the castle after dark.
- Unexplained footsteps and knocking sounds.
- Apparitions believed to be medieval soldiers.
- Reports of blacksmith-like noises and the sounds of work continuing long after the castle was abandoned.
Investigation
Our investigation began at approximately 2100 hours, just as darkness was falling. Our original intention was to investigate from inside the castle walls. Unfortunately, upon arrival we found the castle had been secured behind fencing, preventing public access. Rather than abandoning the investigation, we adapted our plans and conducted a full circuit of the castle from outside the surrounding moat, stopping at key locations to carry out vigils and experiments with our equipment. Despite the restricted access, visibility into parts of the castle remained possible through the entrance gate and openings within the ruined structure.
Investigation Gallery
Equipment Used
- REM Pod Teddy
- EMF meter
- Digital voice recorder
- Temperature Meter
- GhostTube App (iPhones)
- Dowsing Rods
Investigation Timeline
Team arrival
The team inspected the location and recorded the initial environmental conditions.
First vigil
A controlled audio session was conducted near the castle archway.
Unexplained light inside the castle
A team member witnessed what appeared to be a light moving across the interior of the castle.
EVP captured
The digital voice recorder captured what appears to be someone quietly whistling a tune.
Evidence Review
Environmental Conditions
Conditions throughout the investigation were calm and dry with very little wind. Ambient noise was minimal, allowing any unusual sounds to be identified more easily. No members of the public were encountered during the investigation, and the area remained quiet throughout.
Significant Events
Unexplained Light Inside the Castle.
Observing the castle interior through the entrance gate, Mike witnessed what appeared to be a light moving across the inside of the castle before disappearing from view. At the time, no torches, vehicles or other obvious light sources were visible that could account for the observation. Although no photographic evidence was obtained, the sighting was significant enough to be logged.EVP Capture – Whistling
During one of our recording sessions, the digital voice recorder captured what appears to be someone quietly whistling a tune. At the time of recording:- Neither investigator was speaking.
- investigator was whistling.
- No members of the public were nearby.
Shared Feeling at the Guest Tower
Whilst investigating the remaining tower believed to have once contained accommodation for important guests and visiting dignitaries, both investigators independently remarked that something felt unusual about the opening in the ruined tower. Without prompting one another, both Mike and Staffs commented on the atmosphere surrounding this section of the castle, describing it as distinctly different from the rest of the site. Although no equipment registered any significant anomalies, the shared experience has been recorded as a notable event.GhostTube Responses – Blacksmith Connection
Whilst positioned near the front of the castle, the GhostTube application produced several responses within a short period. Words received included:- Pain
- Hot
- Forge
Rear Riverside Entrance Investigation
One of the most interesting sequences of the evening occurred whilst investigating the rear of the castle near the riverside entrance, close to the eerie ruined tower. Whilst standing in this area, the GhostTube application produced the word "Bored." Given our location beside what would once have been an entrance to the castle, the response immediately gave the impression of a guard or sentry expressing boredom whilst standing watch. Although this is only an interpretation, the events that followed made the location particularly interesting. Shortly afterwards, our digital voice recorder captured what appears to be someone quietly whistling a tune. Historically, soldiers and guards were known to whistle whilst passing long periods on watch, making the timing of the EVP particularly noteworthy. Both investigators can confirm that neither of them was whistling and that no other people were present nearby. During this same period, the REM Pod Teddy activated, illuminating its lights despite there being nothing close enough to trigger it. This was the only REM Pod activation recorded during the entire investigation, making the event stand out even further. The combination of the GhostTube response, the whistle EVP and the isolated REM Pod activation all occurring in the same location makes the riverside entrance one of the most compelling areas investigated during the evening.Tapping on the Entrance Gate
Whilst investigating around the castle perimeter, several distinct tapping sounds were heard coming from the metal entrance gate. Both investigators heard the tapping and stopped to observe the area. No visible cause could be identified at the time. Although environmental factors cannot be completely ruled out, the timing and nature of the sounds made them worthy of inclusion within the investigation log.Equipment Results
- EMF Meter- No unexplained spikes recorded.
- Temperature Meter- No significant temperature anomalies detected.
- REM Pod Teddy- One isolated activation occurred near the riverside entrance beside the ruined tower. No further activations were recorded throughout the investigation.
- Dowsing Rods- Used at several locations around the castle. No conclusive responses obtained.
- Digital Voice Recorder- Captured a possible EVP consisting of someone quietly whistling a tune.
- GhostTube- Produced multiple responses relating to burning, heat, pain and forging near the front of the castle, along with the word "Bored" near the riverside entrance shortly before the whistle EVP and REM Pod activation.
Conclusion
Although access to the interior of Old Inverlochy Castle was not possible due to security fencing, the investigation produced several experiences worthy of further examination. The most significant incidents included:
- unexplained light witnessed moving inside the castle.
- A clear whistle captured on the digital voice recorder during otherwise silent conditions.
- A shared feeling of unease independently experienced by both investigators near the guest tower.
- Multiple GhostTube responses referring to burning, heat, pain and forging, suggesting a possible connection to the castle's historic blacksmith.
- The GhostTube response "Bored", followed by the whistle EVP and the only REM Pod activation of the night at the riverside entrance.
- Unexplained tapping heard on the castle's entrance gate.