Mary, Queen of Scots, met a grim end on February 8, 1587, executed for treason by order of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Centuries later, her tragic story continues to captivate – and some say, her spirit still walks the earth. Prepare for a chilling encounter this month, as local folklore suggests Mary is poised to make a spectral comeback at The Talbot Hotel in Oundle, Northamptonshire.
This isn’t just any old inn; it’s believed to be constructed from the very stones of Fotheringhay Castle, where Mary took her last breath. Parts of the hotel, including the famed oak staircase and bedroom panelling, are said to have been salvaged from the dismantled castle, carrying with them a piece of that dark history. Adding to the eerie tale, legend has it Mary’s executioner even spent his final night there before his grim task.
Guests and staff alike report unsettling phenomena. Many have seen the ghostly figure of a woman in a long black dress – the colour Mary wore to her execution – slowly descending the historic staircase. A mysterious dent in the handrail is even attributed to her signet ring, pressed there as she made her final, fateful walk. Others recount hearing continuous, sorrowful weeping echoing through the walls, especially in the “Mary Queen of Scots Room” at the top of the stairs. These ghostly appearances often intensify during renovations, leading some to theorize that Mary’s intense distress was imprinted onto the very materials now forming the hotel.
Whether it’s a trick of the mind or a genuine royal haunting, Mary, Queen of Scots’ legacy certainly endures, reminding us of a turbulent past and the enduring power of a tragic queen’s story.
Source: https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/weird-news/haunted-hotel-built-castle-bricks-36638622
