On the evening of Saturday, 28th September 2024, our highly skilled team embarked on a thorough investigation at the historic Jedburgh Castle Jail, located on the grounds of the Royal Castle of Jedburgh. Known for its chilling hauntings and eerie atmosphere, the jail has long intrigued both sceptics and believers alike.
One such tale is that of the spirit of a former inmate, often seen lingering near the cells, whose mournful whispers are said to echo through the empty halls at night. This ghostly figure is believed to be the source of sudden cold spots and the feeling of being watched that many visitors report.
With its deep-rooted history and numerous accounts of mysterious happenings, Jedburgh Castle Jail presented an ideal setting for our latest exploration, uncovering the hidden secrets lingering within its cold ancient walls.
The Haunting History of Jedburgh Castle Jail
Jedburgh Castle Jail, now a museum devoted to imprisonment and local history, stands on the grounds of the former Royal Castle of Jedburgh. The original castle, held on the site from the 12th century until its deliberate destruction in 1409, was demolished to prevent its use by English soldiers.
Constructed between 1820 and 1824, the Victorian-era jail was built according to John Howard’s Reformatory Imprisonment principles and is a stark reminder of early penal practices. The jail, constructed on the former location of the town gallows, evokes the grim realities of incarceration while offering visitors a chance to explore its extensive past and its connection to lingering spirits that many believe still inhabit its corridors.
The jail underwent significant changes over time, starting with its initial construction under Archibald Elliott in 1823. In 1847, Thomas Brown altered various openings in the Male Debtors/Female Criminals Block. Restoration efforts by Aitken and Turnbull in 1968 sought to preserve the jail’s historical integrity, making it the site we see today. Its architecture—including the gaoler's house, Bridewell Block, and numerous cell structures—provides an eerie backdrop for the many chilling accounts tied to the location.
Paranormal Activity at Jedburgh Castle Jail
Jedburgh Castle Jail has earned a reputation as one of Scotland's most haunted sites, attracting paranormal enthusiasts and investigators from all corners of the globe. Its extensive history is rife with tales of suffering, punishment, and restless spirits, creating an atmosphere thick with unexplained phenomena.
One of the most well-known stories is that of the ghostly piper, often seen standing on the battlements, his mournful tune echoing through the cold night air. Many visitors have reported hearing the faint sound of bagpipes, only to find no living soul in sight. This occurrence happened during our investigation and was captured on our Panasonic 4K night vision static camera while we were on a break.
Paranormal Legends and Reports at Jedburgh Castle Jai
Visitors have reported apparitions, including sightings of a ghostly piper standing upon the battlements, and intense feelings of being watched or followed as they navigate the narrow corridors. In 2005, a notable case of poltergeist activity was documented, with objects moving on their own. Other reported phenomena include strange lights, sudden cold spots, clicks, bangs, and even physical manifestations, such as strangle and scratch marks on guests.
The Bridewell Block, in particular, has a notorious reputation for hostility towards female visitors, with many reporting the presence of vile and offensive energies. These haunting tales are complemented by chilling Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVPs), which have captured vile language and unsettling messages, further deepening the jail's spectral lore.
A Chilling Night of Investigation: Uncovering Evidence
For our latest investigation, we designed an event that maximised data collection while ensuring the safety of participants. Safety measures included a thorough briefing on potential hazards, a pre-evening walk-around in fully lit conditions, and constant monitoring of a DVR system to maintain awareness of team members' locations. We organised three separate areas within the jail, each investigated by specialised teams employing a variety of methods to explore the paranormal occurrences tied to the location.
Area 1 - Male Debtors/Female Criminals Block
To the west of the gaoler’s house, the Male Debtors/Female Criminals Block—a 2-storey, 5-bay cell block—was led by team investigator Ryan O’Neill. Moving between each of the five cells, Ryan conducted Environmental Trigger experiments, DR60 audio recordings, and gathered data from guest investigators. The sessions yielded some compelling findings, including several EVPs that raised intriguing questions.
Area 2 - Male Criminals Block
South of the gaoler’s house stands the Male Criminals Block—an imposing, 2-storey, 6-bay cell block. Led by Greg Stewart, this area focused on experiments designed to elicit responses from possible entities. Tools like the GS2 Grid, Death Whistle, ST25, Yes/No Box, and ITC Scanning were used throughout the night. The aim was to engage with spirits while collecting any observable evidence.
Area 3 - The Bridewell Block
East of the gaoler’s house, the Bridewell Block—known for its severe conditions and particularly hostile atmosphere towards female visitors—was investigated by mediums Louise Walker and Lee Dunn. The mediums, using ITC Scanning, Portal Audio, and their unique abilities, attempted to communicate with spirits lingering in the confined cells.
Beyond the specialised teams, Tracey White worked diligently to deploy environmental monitoring devices, camcorders, and audio equipment to ensure comprehensive evidence gathering. John White set up a DVR camera system to maintain surveillance, covering key areas of activity. Lisa Sproat played an instrumental role in managing guest interactions, serving as a point of contact and ensuring participant comfort and engagement.
Personal Experiences: Voices from the Other Side
Having investigated Jedburgh Castle Jail for over a decade, I can attest to the consistency and depth of its paranormal activity. Unlike other sites with sporadic occurrences, Jedburgh is persistently active, and every investigation yields a fresh piece of the puzzle. It only takes one compelling piece of evidence to validate the presence of spirits, and our latest investigation produced several such instances.
During my sessions, the DR60 recorded multiple EVPs, including the chilling phrases:
"Michael's here" - Direct response to being asked if anyone was present
"Here" - male voice, direct response to being asked if he was present
"Ah ha" female voice, direct response
"Robert" - male voice, repeated in response to Stewart asking for Robert.
The EVP recording captured a series of intriguing click/pops, signaling a significant breakthrough. This was then followed by a distinct voice saying "Michaels Here," with the word "Here" subtly softer in the background.
The EVP clearly affirms the presence by responding with a distinct "Here."
These voices, combined with instances of rhythmic whistling, sudden cold spots, and corresponding rempod activity, made this investigation one of the most eventful yet. We are currently reviewing the night vision camcorder footage and compiling our findings, which will be made available to our premium members in the coming weeks.
I can reveal that we captured three distinct EVPs on our camcorders, with one chillingly calling out to Tracey while she was conducting an equipment check and battery change in the jail. Tracey was alone in the very block from which the voice emanated and remained completely unaware of it at the time.
The atmosphere within the cells was palpably heavy, with the feeling of an unseen presence nearby. It was as though the spirits wanted us to know they were there—close, watching, interacting. While much analysis remains, our initial findings point towards strong paranormal activity that adds yet another chapter to Jedburgh’s history.
Conclusions and Findings: The Unfinished Story of Jedburgh Castle Jail
Jedburgh Castle Jail’s long and harrowing history resonates within its stone walls, reflected in the tales of spirits that refuse to move on. Each cell, each corridor seems to hold echoes of those who were incarcerated within, leaving us with endless stories to tell and countless questions to ponder. Our investigation at this site continues to evolve, and we are excited to delve deeper into our findings, hoping to shed light on the mysterious forces at play.
Stay tuned as we continue our analysis and update our findings. Follow us on social media for real-time updates and exclusive content from our investigations. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/HauntedScotlandInvestigates/
If you’re intrigued by the paranormal and crave an up-close experience, consider joining us on our next investigation—but beware, at Jedburgh Castle Jail, the past has a way of coming alive in unexpected ways.
If you truly desire to elevate your experience, why not consider becoming a member of our Premium Club and embark on a paranormal adventure into the mysterious with Ryan, Greg and the team at Scottish Paranormal.
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