The Tolbooth Museum is one of Aberdeen's oldest buildings and one of the best-preserved 17th century gaols in Scotland. The original building on the site of the Museum was built in 1393 as an area for collecting tolls for goods that were bought and sold.
Years later its role changed to that of a holding place for prisoners about to be tried at the court. This then developed into a general prison. The Wardhouse, now the Tolbooth Museum, was built between 1616 and 1629. Several cells still exist in their original format; they have been restored to how they would have looked when they were used as holding cells.
The most famous inmate was Janet Walker, a 17th Century woman who was convicted of witchcraft she was known as The Fittie Witch. Janet Walker was strangled then burnt for being a witch; burnings were rare in Aberdeen except in 1597 when King James the VI encouraged a witch hunt. That year 20 people were executed for witchcraft.
Over the Centuries and there have been many deaths in the gaol, including executions, murders and deaths from torture. With all this pain and suffering it is no surprise that the Tolbooth museum is now considered to be one of the most haunted buildings in Scotland. Several ghosts are thought to be permanent residents at the Tolbooth Museum.
The Tolbooth Prison Museum Aberdeen has opened its doors to Paranormal Investigators and Ghost Hunters enabling them to go ghost hunting at Aberdeen's Tolbooth throughout the year. TV's Most Haunted team recently carried out an paranormal investigation at the museum, which is also organizing its own ghost hunt and inviting members of the public to join in. Those who take part in the ghost hunt are given a training workshop which includes learning how to use the ghost hunting kit.
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