The Wizard of Yester & the Goblin Ha'

The mysterious ruins of Yester Castle are located 1.5 miles outside the village of Gifford in East Lothian, Scotland. Set in the wild woodland of Yester Wood the 13th Century castle was the home of Scottish nobleman Sir Hugo de Giffard the so called 'Wizard of Yester' who was considered to be a powerful Magician and Necromancer. It is said that after Gifford made a pact with the Devil, he was able to summon demonic forces (in this instance an army of Hobgoblins) to aid in the construction of his castle and the mythical subterranean chamber known as the Goblin Ha’ (Goblin Hall).
It is believed that it was in this vaulted hall 'now reputed to be extremely haunted' that Sir Gifford was thought to practise his Sorcery.


The Scottish historical novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott immortalises Giffard in his epic poem of 1808 Marmion :-


"A clerk could tell what years have flown since Alexander filled our throne third monarch of that warlike name, and eke the time when here he came to seek Sir Hugo, then our lord: A braver never drew a sword, a wiser never, at the hour of midnight, spoke the word of power; the same, that ancient records call the founder of Goblin hall"----"Lord Gifford deep beneath the ground heard Alexander's bugle sound, and tarried not his garb to change, but, in his wizard habit strange, came forth, a quaint and fearful sight: His mantle lined with fox-skins white; His high and wrinkled forehead bore a pointed cap, such as of yore Pharoh's Magi wore; His shoes were marked with cross and spell, upon his breast a pentacle"----"and in his hand a naked sword without a guard".



Yester Castle: Wiki


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