The Goblin Ha’, a shadowy undercroft beneath a 13th-century Scottish ruin, is steeped in legend and dark folklore, writes SCOTT LYALL of The Wulver Stane zine
The ruins of Yester Castle sit on a promontory in the woods outside the village of Gifford.
The castle was built in the 13th century by Hugo de Giffard, who was reputed to be a wizard and necromancer. Its most famous feature is the Goblin Ha’—the castle undercroft where he was said to work his magic.
Locals believed de Giffard had made a pact with the Devil, granting him an army of goblins to command. These goblins were said to have built the hall, with legend claiming it was constructed overnight.
One theory suggests de Giffard brought Arabic masons back from the Middle East to work on the castle. Seeing dark-skinned men speaking an unknown language, locals assumed they were goblins.
The vaulted ceiling of the hall has been compared to Middle Eastern or North African architecture, lending some credibility to this theory.
The ruins include the remains of a tower and a wall with an archway.
If you follow the path down the north side of the promontory, there’s a tunnel that gives access to the Ha’ (though see note at the end). After stooping through the dark tunnel, you emerge into the chamber.
It’s still an impressive sight, despite the rest of the castle lying in ruins. The vaulted ceiling remains in good condition, and the place has an undeniably eerie atmosphere.
A stone staircase leads down to a well, though it is soon blocked by a rockfall. Local legend claims the stairs lead straight to hell.
Despite the castle’s reputation, there are few recorded accounts of supernatural experiences there.
There is a local legend of strange noises and lights coming from the Goblin Ha’ at night, but no one has been brave enough to investigate.
It’s a popular spot for ghost hunters, who’ve captured orbs and mists on camera—though I suspect these are more likely insects and dust than anything paranormal.
Mysteries at the Goblin Ha’
Psychics have reportedly sensed sinister presences. I’ve visited with two friends who are sensitive to such things. They felt something while entering the Ha’, but I felt no more apprehensive than I would walking into any dark tunnel in a ruin said to be connected to black magic.
However, there are tales of strange sightings in the surrounding woods.
Agnes McGaw attended an archaeological picnic in the grounds of the nearby Yester House, where someone was giving a talk on the Goblin Ha’. She and a friend saw a “wee man” with a beard peering over a log, observing the gathering. They described him as a goblin.
She recounted the story to Edinburgh University’s School of Scottish Studies in 1972. The recording is available online and well worth a listen.
I’ve heard locals mention other strange sightings in the woods, though they tend to decline elaboration—almost visibly shivering at the thought.
To reach the Goblin Ha’, it’s a one-and-a-half-mile walk from Gifford through the woods, which is worth the effort in itself.
The castle was never formally open to the public, but the tunnel gate was typically left unlocked, so access was tolerated on a “don’t ask, don’t tell” basis. That said, there are stories of people being chased away by gamekeepers.
In 2021, a large quantity of stone was stolen from the walls of the Ha’, prompting it to be locked up for safety and to prevent further theft. This is unfortunate, so you may want to check the current status before planning a visit.
Scott Lyall is the founder of The Wulver Stane zine.
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