The Monster of Glamis Castle

Deven takes us on a tour of Glamis Castle in Scotland, the alleged home to a mysterious figure known as THE MONSTER…

Glamis Castle, in Scotland, has been shrouded in mystery for centuries. Is it haunted, cursed, or both? There is one legend that stands apart from the rest. A child was hidden away from the world and locked away for life.

The legend centers around the Thomas Lyon-Bowes family, who lived in the castle during the nineteenth century. Accounts have been passed down through servants and visitors about a child born into the family with severe deformities. To avoid a scandal, the child was hidden within the castle. The family never spoke of the child in public, and he was never seen outside.

They called him the Monster of Glamis.

Reports tell of a boy who grew up isolated, kept in rooms unseen by most of the household. There are stories suggesting he had a long life, looked after by a small, dedicated crew. Several people believe his existence was a secret, even to those within the castle walls. The truth, if it exists, never entered the official record.

The castle’s architecture was sometimes described with unusual details by visitors. There were windows visible from the exterior that were not present on the interior. Entry to the rooms was blocked. Guides provided details on renovations and altered floor plans, but speculation persisted.

The story gradually became a legend. It was believed that the child existed and was hidden to safeguard the family’s honor. Some believed the story originated from rumors, apprehension, and the inherent privacy within noble families. The secrets within the locked wings, forgotten rooms, and complex pasts of large estates were rarely known to outsiders.

What gives the legend its endurance is not proof, but silence.

Documents do not exist to verify a child like this. No burial documentation exists. No public acknowledgement. Visitors and servants provided only fragmented reports, suggesting inconsistencies between the castle’s interior and exterior.

The Monster of Glamis exists in the realm of hearsay and speculation. The high value noble families placed on their reputation meant that a secret life was not out of the question. A person could be erased by isolation, leaving only whispers behind.

The castle is open to visitors today. The towers and halls are integral to Scotland’s rich past. Yet the legend remains attached to its stone walls.

Not because anyone can prove it happened.

But because no one can prove it didn’t.

Deven VanKirk was raised in the Midwest and has lived all over the eastern half of the US. He’s been a horror fan for as long as he can remember. He enjoys hiking and camping, when he’s not reading or writing. Currently he resides in Florida with his wife, son, and two dogs.

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