To claim to be the most haunted pub in Scotland is quite a statement, yet the Banshee Labyrinth in Edinburgh proudly makes that very declaration. But does it have sufficient grounds to support this? Situated on Niddry Street, it is certainly in an area well known for reports of paranormal activity. The street was formed following the demolition of a residential area, including Niddry Wynd from which it takes its name, for the construction of the South Bridge. Although it is not obvious today, the centre of Edinburgh actually sits across a series of hills and in the 18th century it was decided to build bridges to ease travel. The South Bridge was part of these city improvements with it being designed to have the appearance of a street by constructing tenement buildings on each side with shops at the street level.
The bridge is supported by a number of arched chambers which were designed to be used as storage and workshops, yet due to the stonework not being adequately protected against water ingress they soon became unusable and were abandoned. It was then that the homeless and a number of undesirable characters moved in creating a near lawless society where the desperate were forced to stay in terrifying and appalling conditions.
Now known as the infamous Underground Vaults, there are numerous ghost stories connected to them and so with the Banshee Labyrinth occupying some of these chambers it is perhaps not surprising that staff and visitors to the pub experience unexplained activity. One of the known ghosts certainly seems to be connected to the previous use of the structure, with the phantom of a Watcher known as 'Ole Jock' being seen walking through parts of the bar. The Watchers were effectively the security guards of the time who used to patrol the vaults when they were in use as storage and workshops. Several sections of the vaults lay claim to similar spirits, the best known of which is Mr Boots who lurks in an area at the bottom of Blair Street.
The bar is also said to occupy the site of the former home of Nicol Edwards, Lord Provost of Edinburgh and a man who seems to have taken his role very seriously. It is claimed he had a makeshift torture chamber in the basement of his property where he personally oversaw the torture of accused witches. How much of this is true needs further research, yet the pub was previously named The Nicol Edwards Pub and so there seems to be some connection. Some speculate that the spirit of a woman who has been seen on several occasions may be one of his victims. The ghost of a young girl named Molly has also been witnessed. According to information displayed in the bar Molly vanished in 1841 and when renovation work was later being carried out a shoe fell from a disused chimney bearing her name. It is not know how she met her fate, yet her spirit has been seen ever since. Other activity experienced include drinks being moved across tables and bars, even thrown against walls, someone unseen grabbing guests legs under tables, a former 'lady of the night' who used to practice her trade in the vaults and a male entity who slams doors and switches on the hand driers in the ladies toilet, although this is sometimes attributed to Ole Jock. And off course there is the Banshee itself. According to the story, a workman saw a woman weeping into her hands when he was carrying out work in the building. When he asked if she was OK, she raised her head and released an ear piercing scream. The pertrified contractor fled, and a short while later received a call to tell him a family member had died. It was after this the decision was made to rename the bar the Banshee Labyrinth after the supernatural being said to appear in the form of a woman and to give a terrifying scream to forewarn of the death of a loved one. There are so many tales associated to the Banshee Labyrinth it certainly does appear to rightfully claim to be at least one of the most haunted, if not the most haunted, bar in Scotland.
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