The seven most haunted locations in South Ayrshire

One website has compiled a list of the alleged most haunted places in the area.

The list includes a few obvious locations, as well as a couple of rogue suggestions.

Here are the seven most haunted locations in South Ayrshire, according to UK Haunted Locations Database.

South Ayrshire Council Building

South Ayrshire Council building (Image: NQ)

Originally built between 1818 and 1822 by architect Robert Wallace, it should come as no shock that there have been reports of other worldly incidents given the 200-year-old age of the building.

It is said that a headless phantom roams the building, thought to be one of the prisoners executed on the site of the jail situated here in bygone times.

St John The Baptist's Church Tower

St John's Tower (Image: Google)

The next haunted space on the list is the medieval-era  tower situated at St John the Baptist's Church.

The tower is all that remains of the church which was originally built shortly after the town's creation in 1203.

A male phantom who is described as "hazy" is said to haunt the tower.

Dunure Castle

Dunure Castle (Image: NQ)

Dunure Castle, which is situated about five miles south of Ayr and close to the village of Dunure, was originally built in the 15th century, and was home to Mary, Queen of Scots for three days when she visited the west of the country.

Mostly occurring on Sunday mornings, the sounds of flames and shrieks of pain have been heard coming from the room where the owner of the nearby abbey, Allan Stewart was tortured in 1570 until he signed away his lands to the Kennedys, who possessed the castle.

Cassillis House

Cassillis House (Image: The Castles of Scotland)

Casillis House is situated about three miles north-east of Maybole and was the origins of the building date back as far as the 14th century.

In 2016, the castle was put up for sale for £3.9 million.

Perhaps sightings of a ghost seen looking out of a window, believed to be the spector of Lady Jean Hamilton was the reason.

Lady Hamilton was the wife of the 6th Earl, John, and local legend says that Jean absconded with a gypsy boy but the infuriated Earl pursued them and hung the young man from a tree, forcing his wife to watch.

Cloncaird Castle

Cloncaird is situated east of Maybole and was originally created in the 16th century.

It is said that spirit of a man, often seen on the stairs, is seen.

Crossraguel Abbey

The ruin of Saint Mary of Crossraguel is a ruin of a former abbey near Maybole. Visitors to the ruins can still see the original monks' church, their cloister and their dovecot.

And some visitors have said to have seen even more.

It has been reported that the ghosts of the monks that once lived there wander the abbey.

Culzean Castle

One of the most famous of South Ayrshire's haunted sites is Culzean Castle.

Overlooking the Firth of Clyde, the castle was built in stages between 1777 and 1792 by the 10th Earl of Cassillis.

The castle has even featured on the popular ghost sightings Most Haunted tv programme, with multiple spirits said to be roaming the area.

A description said: "A piper, who it is said, disappeared exploring the caves below the castle, has been seen in the grounds, on the drive known as Piper's Brae and the Collegiate Church.

"It is said that he set out to prove that the caves weren't haunted and went into the tunnels, playing his pipes and accompanied by his dog.

"At some point he stopped playing and neither he nor his dog were seen again, but his playing is said to have been heard from time to time.

"His appearance is said to herald a marriage in the Kennedy clan (who owned the castle), and he plays on stormy nights. A young woman in a ball gown has also been seen, as has an indistinct, misty phantom.

"A servant who was badly treated is reputed to return as a "White Lady." The crackling of fire and screams have been heard, accompanied by an "uncertain figure" that goes through the house and stands on the oval staircase.

"This may be a reference to Commendator of Crossraguel Abbey, Allan Steward, who was captured in the 16th century during a row over lands, and was roasted on a spit.

"More recently, in the State Bedroom, said to be the most haunted room, a visitor reported someone had gently pushed them forward.

"In all, there are said to be at least seven ghosts here."