4 Whisky Ghost Stories to Enjoy this Spooky Season
Well, it’s that time of year again. The skies are grey, there’s a distinct chill in the air, and the leaves are beginning to turn a gorgeous amber hue, not to dissimilar from some of our favourite drams. Yep, autumn is here, which means that ‘spooky season’ as it has come to be known, is right around the corner.
Every now and then, typically in the lead up to Halloween, to help get in the mood, I like to switch up the blog slightly and get a little spooky with a few ghost stories. While it’s not unusual for me to write about spirits, the ones you’ll be learning about today are not a delicious alcoholic beverage. The ones I’ll be writing about today come from beyond the grave!
So, chuck another log on the fire, dim the lights, pour yourself a dram of your favourite whisky, and prepare to be scared stiff as we look at 4 whisky ghost stories to enjoy this spooky season.
The Old Woman of Jura
Jura, located on Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, is one of the most isolated parts of the country. Perfect for some ghostly goings on.
The story goes that, back in 1781, local landowner Laird Archibald Campbell, for reasons known only to himself, decided to outlaw the distilling of alcohol on Jura. That in itself is a frightening thought, but that’s not where things get spooky.
One night, as he slept peacefully in his bed, Archibald was awakened with a fright. As he opened his eyes, there, illuminated by the moonlight, he saw the ghostly figure of an old woman, levitating over his bed!
The ghostly apparition was said to be furious at the landowner for outlawing distilling, and she let him know as much. Her words obviously gave old Archie a kick up the backside because, to appease the spirit, he legalised distilling and even opened his own whisky distillery in 1810, which is the original Jura distillery.
Campbell was so terrified of the ghost coming back, that he even buried a bottle of Jura whisky at the site of the distillery, to appease the old battle axe. The old woman’s spirit has not been seen since, and the whisky is said to still be buried there.
If you enjoyed this tale, check out Jura Prophecy and Jura Superstition – two official bottlings inspired by the ghostly tale.
The Tomatin Wolf
Situated in the stunning Scottish Highlands, just to the south of Inverness, you’ll find the Tomatin Distillery, the largest malt distillery in the world.
Not only does the distillery produce exceptional malt expressions, it has also produced some chilling ghost stories as well. Perhaps the most famous of all is that of the legendary Tomatin Wolf. Distillery workers and ramblers alike, are said to have witnessed a spectral black hound roaming the grounds and the countryside nearby.
The tale goes, that centuries ago, Scotland’s last wolf was killed on the grounds of the Tomatin Distillery. To take vengeance, the wolf is said to haunt the distillery and the rugged Highland countryside nearby. Witnesses claim to have seen a large, black, snarling beast with glowing eyes, that has suddenly transformed into a cloud of blue smoke and disappeared right before their eyes.
The distillery itself has even honoured this legend, with a spicy, nutty, fruity, lightly smoky dram called Cù Bòcan, which literally translates to ‘ghost dog’ in Gaelic.
The Ghost of Crosshill Loch
Next, we’re travelling to the Glen Scotia Distillery, to learn about the tragic tale of Duncan MacCallum.
Let me set the scene. It was 1930, the night before Xmas Eve, on the outskirts of the Glen Scotia Distillery, on the banks of Crosshill Loch. Crosshill Loch was where the distillery drew its water from to produce those exceptional whiskies.
Unfortunately, after a dodgy whisky deal was said to have gone bad, distillery owner Duncan MacCallum was declared bankrupt and decided to tragically take his own life, drowning himself in the icy waters of the loch. Some even say that he may not have ended his own life, and that foul play may have been involved instead.
Regardless of what truly happened, Duncan’s spirit is still said to haunt the distillery and the banks of the loch. Distillery workers have even gone on record as saying they refuse to enter certain parts of the distillery and its grounds after dark.
Ghostly Goings on in Glen Moray
And finally, our last tale takes us to the Speyside town of Elgin, which is reportedly one of the most haunted towns in the world.
There have been many paranormal encounters reported in this small, isolated town, including a haunted cathedral, the ghost of Bonnie Prince Charlie haunting a local pub, and even famous witch trials, which saw more than twenty “witches” reportedly executed in the town.
The story we’re learning about today, though, features the Glen Moray Distillery. The distillery is built on Gallow Hill, which is a site where many public executions took place up until the mid-1700s.
There have been reports of creepy goings on there, with many in the distillery claiming to feel uneasy, and as if they were being watched. That’s hardly surprising, as during construction of the distillery, human remains were discovered, including seven skulls!
What’s even creepier is the fact that the skulls went on display for a short period, before receiving a proper burial.
If you’d like to learn more about your favourite whiskies, or simply treat yourself to a dram or two in the process, head on over to GreatDrams.com and take a look at the diverse selection of unique whiskies we currently have in stock.
With an impressive selection of limited-edition, rare, and award-winning whisky, as well as heaps of whisky info on our blog, it’s the perfect spot for any whisky lovers out there.
Greg
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