Ashintully Castle

Ashintully Castle, Perthshire
Photo © Rob Burke, 18 February 2006

Ashintully Castle, located near Kirkmichael, north of Blairgowrie, in the county of Perthshire Scotland, was built in 1583 as a fortified tower house by the Spalding family; the Feudal Barons of Ashintully. The Spalding Barons were chiefs of the Spalding Clan and followers of the Duke of Atholl, the Chief of the Murray Clan. The Spaldings of Ashintully and their cadet branches were Jacobites, or followers of the House of Stuart.

The castle is reputed to have numerous ghosts, one of whom being a figure dressed in green known as 'Green Jean', who is thought to be the spirit of a young woman murdered by her uncle. It is said that her footsteps can still be heard as she walks the castle in sadness. In some tales she was murdered in a green dress, and then stuffed unceremoniously up the chimney by a servant. She is also said to wander the family burial ground. Green Ladies are common ghosts in Scottish castles, with a surprising number of them called Jean or Jeanie, suggesting a supplanted tradition.

Ashintully Castle, Perthshire
Photo © Sinclair Aytoun, 1947

The castle is also thought to be haunted by the ghost of a tinker, hanged for trespassing by one of the Spalding Barons. He cursed the family, warning that the family line would soon come to an end, the prophesy being fulfilled a short time after his death. He is said to haunt the spot near where he was hanged, by an avenue of tall trees.

The Spalding family must have had something of a reputation for cruelty, as the other ghost said to haunt the grounds is that of a misshapen servant, murdered by another member of the family. He is known as 'Crooked Davie' on the account of his hunched back.

The castle also has a Ley tunnel legend, a tradition often found associated with ancient residences. This tunnel was said to link up with the now ruined Whitefield Castle.