"James Hepburn, 4th earl of Bothwell was probably born at Hailes Castle in 1535. He’s most famous for becoming the third husband of Mary Queen of Scots. Bothwell and Mary stayed at Hailes Castle on their way from Dunbar to their wedding at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on May 5, 1567.
The marriage proved deeply unpopular, and just over two months later, Mary was forced to abdicate the throne to her infant son, who became James VI. Bothwell fled to exile in Denmark, and was eventually imprisoned there. He’s said to have gone insane before his death in 1578.
Following Bothwell’s downfall, the castle passed into the hands of the Stewarts, then the Setons. An attack by Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1650 effectively ended Hailes’ days as a noble residence." (from historicenvironment.scot)
There are 2 pit prisons at Hailes Castle and one of them is said to be haunted by a man who fell in love with a Laird's wife and so was imprisoned and starved to death.
There are also reports of a "white lady" who floats about the grounds - rumour is this is the ghost of Mary Queen Of Scots!
(I didn't see or hear either of them...)
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