The castle is actually a pele tower. It is now little more than a shell, yet in its day, it was a formidable presence. To the south was a very old tree with great spreading branches, apparently very useful for hangings. It is said that, on one occasion, seven unfortunate reivers were strung up in a row.

Bellister Castle also has a ghost, the Grey Man, grey being the in colour for ghosts. Once upon a time a wandering minstrel called at the tower and was afforded, as was the custom, food and a night’s lodgings. However, the Lord of Bellister became suspicious of him and decided he was up to no good. The more he observed the stranger the more convinced he was that he was right. The minstral had not failed to notice the hostile attitude of his host, and instead of retiring to the bed which had been prepared for him, he slipped outside where he felt less vulnerable. This was a mistake, and only confirmed the great lord’s fears and he promptly called to his servants to bring his hounds and they went in pursuit of the minstrel, who, realising the danger, ran for his life. But his pursuers ran faster and the dogs caught up with up by the banks of the river. When the panting lord arrived with his men they were too late to call off the hounds. The old man had been torn to pieces. For the rest of his life the baron was haunted by visits of the minstrel pointing an accusing finger at him. Locals insist that at night they hear the baying of the hounds and the terrified shrieks of the Old Man of Bellister.