Before we get into the headless horseman part, let's look at the history surrounding it.
Crichton Castle was established in the 1300s for the Crichton family and served as a noble dwelling from the late 1300s to the 1500s.
A man named Sir William Crichton inherited the castle and became a political leader In 1439. He was given the title Chancellor of Scotland and served as a Governor of Edinburgh Castle. This was a position that came with great power and wealth.
Sir William Crichton had a rivalry with the grand and powerful Douglas's, who was seen as a threat to the stability of the nation.
In 1440 William Douglas the 6th Earl of Douglas was invited along with his brother, to dine with the young King James II of Scotland at Edinburgh Castle.
Little did William and his brother know, Sir William Crichton had conspired a plan to slay them both.
The head of a black bull was served to them, which is a symbol of death. After the dinner the two Douglas men were beheaded, this has been referred to in history as the Black Dinner.
The Black Dinner was an event that inspired the Red Wedding in the Game of Thrones series.
Legend has it that spirit of Sir William Crichton has been seen riding up to the castle through what was the original entrance (now blocked) It's rumoured that the spirit has also been seen leaving the stables across from Crichton Castle and entering the castle tower.
Apparently, he appears on the Anniversary of his death, no one knows the exact date, but the records state it was between January 1454 and July 1454
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