In poetry and literature, a "shade" shares the same etymological root as "shadow" and represents the spirit or ghost of a deceased person, often residing in the underworld. A shade is not always seen as an embodied ghost but rather as a psychic echo, reflecting the emotional state of the restless spirit at the moment of death. This tartan evokes a ghostly resonance, with shades of grey upon black, or perhaps black upon grey, suggesting the thin veil between the living world and the shadow realm.

One of Scotland’s most haunted castles is Glamis Castle, nestled in the lowland valley of Strathmore near Forfar, the county town of Angus. From its earliest days, the castle and its surroundings have been the scene of grim deeds and eerie apparitions. In 1034, King Malcolm II was murdered at Glamis, then a Royal Hunting Lodge—an event immortalized in Shakespeare’s "Scottish Play." While the historical King Macbeth had no connection to the castle, Glamis has its own dark legends, with at least nine reported spirits haunting its walls, including:

The Woman without a Tongue
The Grey Lady of Glamis
The Young Servant Boy
The Ghost of Earl Beardie
The Secret Chambers
The Ogilvy Clan
The Monster of Glamis

The ghost of Earl Beardie, a 15th-century figure identified with both Alexander Lyon, 2nd Lord Glamis, and Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford, is perhaps the most infamous. His restless spirit is said to be engaged in an eternal game of cards with the Devil. Known for his cruelty and heavy drinking, Earl Beardie was once warned to stop playing cards on the Sabbath. Enraged, he cursed and swore he would play until doomsday—even with the Devil himself. According to legend, a mysterious stranger soon arrived at the castle and joined the Earl in his fateful game, sealing his soul in exchange for an eternity of gambling. The Earl is still said to wander the castle, appearing beside unsuspecting sleepers before returning to his hidden chamber to continue his endless, infernal game of cards. 🖤 🖤 🖤 🏰 👻 👻 👻 ♠️ ♥️ ♣️ ♦️