The Haunted Legacy of Simon McTavish: Montreal's Legendary Toboggan Ghost
The story of Simon McTavish’s haunted legacy on Mount Royal has captured public attention for centuries. His ascent from a Scottish immigrant to a leading figure in the North American fur trade established not only immense wealth but also a reputation for eccentricity and lavish displays. McTavish’s unfinished mansion, known locally as the castle, became the center of Montreal’s most enduring ghost tales after his unexpected death and the abrupt abandonment of his estate.
Over decades, reports of spectral figures, strange sounds, and chilling midnight sightings fueled Mount Royal’s eerie reputation. While skeptics sought rational explanations for these phenomena, the legacy of the haunting gradually faded as the castle disappeared and the city changed. Today, McTavish’s name remains etched in local landmarks, with the ghost stories forming part of Montreal’s cultural memory.
Key Takeaways
Simon McTavish's life and unfinished mansion gave rise to long-standing legends.
Unexplained events fueled tales of haunting and local superstition.
Modern Montreal remembers McTavish through stories and place names.
Tracing the Roots of the McTavish Tale
Early Years of Simon McTavish
Simon McTavish left Scotland at the age of 13, arriving in North America to begin his life as a merchant apprentice. His first work in the fur trade took place in Albany, New York, where he learned the business firsthand. By 1775, at 25 years old, McTavish had already made his way to Canada, setting the stage for his future legacy.
He became known for his hard work and eccentric style, as well as an affinity for lavish parties and extravagant living. His personality and actions would become part of the early stories that fueled legends about his life and later, his ghost.
Climbing the Ranks in Montreal's Fur Trade
Upon arriving in Montreal, McTavish dove into the heart of the fur industry. He traveled great distances by canoe, journeying even to the Great Lakes, in pursuit of pelts. This dedication led him to significant wealth, eventually establishing his reputation as the richest man in Montreal.
Notable traits:
Tireless work ethic
Bold social life
Tendency to show off
These characteristics, combined with his business successes, contributed to the myths and stories that would linger long after his death.
Forming Leadership in a Major Fur Trading Firm
McTavish entered a pivotal partnership with Simon Fraser as he helped lead and manage a powerful trading company. As one of the key owners of the Northwest Company, he played an instrumental role between 1780 and 1821, during which the firm dominated fur trading across much of North America.
Key facts about the Northwest Company:
Period Area of Influence Notable Partners 1780 - 1821 North America Simon Fraser, McTavish
The wealth and influence gained during these years not only cemented McTavish’s place in history but also laid the groundwork for the many tales and ghost stories that would emerge around his name.
The Castle Atop Mount Royal
Building Dreams on the Hillside
Construction of Simon McTavish's ambitious house began in 1800 on the slope of Mount Royal. The two-story building looked over the city, with unfinished walls and roof by the time of McTavish’s death in 1804. The design aimed for grandeur, inspired by a promise made to his wife, and the estate quickly became known for its lavish gatherings during construction.
Key Details:
Purpose: Promised to his wife
Location: Mount Royal hillside
Features: Two stories, panoramic view, family mausoleum nearby
Domestic Life and Unfinished Hopes
Simon McTavish married a French-Canadian woman named Marguerite after settling back in Montreal. Despite periods spent in London, he returned to Canada to support her happiness. After McTavish’s death, Marguerite remarried and moved to England with their children, leaving the incomplete house behind. The fate of their children—a series of untimely deaths—added to the estate’s troubled reputation.
Highlights:
Marriage to Marguerite following London residency
Departure of family after his death
The loss of most of their children at young ages
The Hilltop Tomb and Haunted Legends
The family mausoleum was constructed just above the main house. Local stories soon flourished, reporting odd noises, strange sights in windows, and ghostly figures on the property. The most famous tale described McTavish’s spirit sledding down Mount Royal in his coffin at midnight. Over time, the area became so associated with eerie happenings that residents avoided it. In the mid-1800s, the house was demolished, and the mausoleum sealed after multiple break-in attempts. The castle’s remains are now marked only by trees, wildflowers, and a monument.
Notable Events Description Demolition of mansion Mid-1800s due to decay and haunted rumors Mausoleum sealed and covered After repeated disturbances Local ghost stories faded Reports stopped after the site was cleared
Physical traces today: semicircle of trees, wildflowers, and a commemorative marker.
Unveiling the Supernatural Presence
Early Reports of Spectral Activity
During the construction of the mansion atop Mount Royal, unusual events began to surface. Simon McTavish himself reportedly witnessed apparitions of previous acquaintances on the property, an experience that left him visibly unsettled. These early episodes set the stage for a long history of mysterious happenings around the site.
Following McTavish's untimely death, further incidents were reported. Among the most intriguing were accounts of eerie festivities taking place in the unfinished mansion—neighbors described hearing the sounds of lavish gatherings and music long after the building had been abandoned.
Year Encounter Type Notable Details 1800-1804 Ghostly sightings Apparitions of prior acquaintances seen by McTavish Post-1804 Auditory phenomena Party noises, unsettling screams from the property
Community Legends and Eyewitness Claims
With time, tales of the haunted mansion became woven into the fabric of local folklore. Residents spoke about shadowy figures glimpsed atop the castle roof and at windows, sometimes resembling McTavish, and at other times appearing unquestionably non-human. The most bizarre stories involved midnight sightings of a coffin hurtling down the snowy slopes, believed to be McTavish himself—sometimes sitting up in his coffin, other times lying on the lid as it slid downhill.
Key reports included:
Unexplained noises: Music, screams, and other sounds without source.
Visual anomalies: Figures dancing or moving atop the roof at night.
Phantom activities: Coffin tobogganing down the hill.
Despite explanations from local antiquarian groups—who attributed these phenomena to reflected moonlight, birds, or the wind—the townspeople remained skeptical. Their persistent unease solidified the reputation of McTavish’s abandoned mansion as a place to be avoided, and cemented its place in Montreal’s supernatural lore.
Notorious Supernatural Incidents
Mysterious Celebrations and Unusual Sounds
Locals frequently described hearing festive music and voices coming from the deserted McTavish property late at night. Reports often included the sound of elaborate gatherings echoing through the empty halls of the castle, even though it remained unfinished and abandoned. There were also accounts of unnerving screams and odd noises emanating from the building, causing many to avoid the area after dark.
A quick-reference table summarizing reported sounds:
Sound Type Description Party Music Lively gatherings, laughter, music Unexplained Screams Terrified, echoing voices Environmental Noises Wind passing through masonry
Unusual Figures and Apparitions
Several witnesses claimed to have spotted strange figures around the castle, especially at night. A recurring story involved ghostly shapes moving about on the roof, with some insisting the figure was Simon McTavish himself, while others felt it was not human at all. Mysterious silhouettes were also seen standing in doorways or looking out from the windows.
Locals speculated about the identities of these apparitions, as detailed below:
Shadowy dancers seen on the castle roof
Figures visible in doorways and windows
Sightings of McTavish or unidentified entities
Attempts to explain these figures ranged from reflections of moonlight on roof tiles to the movement of birds and small animals.
The Coffin Sled Myth
Perhaps the most unsettling tale centered on sightings of McTavish tobogganing down Mount Royal in his own coffin. According to reports, this occurred around midnight during the winter. Some described the coffin as open with McTavish seated inside; others said he was perched atop the lid, gliding down the snowy slope.
Eyewitness claims included:
A coffin racing downhill with a ghostly figure aboard
Observers left deeply disturbed by the unusual spectacle
Rational explanations suggested that grave robbers transporting cadavers for anatomical study were likely responsible for these midnight coffin rides. Despite official clarifications, many locals believed the events were not simply products of natural or human activity.
Logical Clarifications and Doubt
The Local Historical Group’s Examination
A regional society specializing in historical artifacts and local history thoroughly assessed the claims of supernatural events at the McTavish estate. They aimed to address the mounting fear among residents by providing plausible, earthbound reasons for the unusual sightings and sounds. Their approach focused on observation and analysis rather than rumor or folklore.
Ideas Involving Natural Light, Weather, and Wildlife
The society proposed several interpretations for the reported phenomena:
Phenomenon Rational Explanation Dancing figures on the castle's roof Moonlight reflecting off roof tiles Shapes in doorways and windows Birds or sheep moving nearby Strange, haunting noises Wind blowing through the abandoned building
These explanations placed emphasis on the natural environment and pointed to light, wind, and animals as likely sources for the disturbances rather than supernatural causes.
The Nocturnal Body-Snatching Incident
The most unusual sight, a coffin sliding down the snowy hill, was attributed to grave robbing. At that period, universities faced strict restrictions on obtaining bodies for anatomical study. As a result, it was not uncommon for individuals to secretly retrieve bodies from cemeteries.
According to the society, the sight of a coffin moving down Mount Royal was likely the result of these covert activities—medical professors or assistants transporting corpses for research—rather than a ghostly presence. This explanation, despite being logical, did not fully convince everyone in the community.
The Fading of McTavish’s Reputation
Destruction of the Mansion
The city took action in the mid-19th century and brought down the unfinished mansion that once stood as McTavish’s dream home. During the demolition, a worker fell from the roof and died, an incident some attributed to supernatural intervention.
Event Details Demolition Mid-1800s, mansion dismantled by the city Incident Worker fatality during process
After the mansion was removed, little evidence of McTavish’s once-grand project remained on Mount Royal.
Repeated Student Trespassing
Students from a local university, drawn by stories and legends, made several attempts to access McTavish’s mausoleum. Their curiosity and repeated intrusions continued until the mausoleum was demolished and the site concealed.
Attempts to break in were numerous.
Access finally ended when the tomb was covered and the entrance removed.
End of Unusual Sightings
Once the mansion no longer stood and the tomb was properly sealed, accounts of strange occurrences steadily declined. No further reports of ghostly activity or bizarre phenomena have surfaced after the removal of these landmarks.
Today, trees, flowers, and a simple monument are all that mark the location, with only stories left to hint at the past.
Contemporary Recognition
2010 Rediscovery of McTavish’s Mausoleum
In late October 2010, archaeologists began carefully excavating the final resting place of Simon McTavish on Mount Royal. The site, marked today by a semicircle of trees and wildflowers, offered a rare glimpse into the history of one of Montreal’s most well-known figures. Despite many years of ghostly speculation, no unusual occurrences were documented during or after the excavation.
Key Details:
Location: Mount Royal, above the former site of McTavish’s mansion
Findings: Tomb remains, natural surroundings
Reported Activity: No further supernatural claims
Montreal Sites Named After McTavish
McTavish’s name endures in the city through several notable locations and landmarks. A prominent downtown street, a mountain reservoir, and a monument all pay tribute to his legacy. These sites have become everyday parts of life in Montreal and function as subtle reminders of the city’s fur trade era.
Landmark Type Description Monument Located on Mount Royal Reservoir Serves local community needs Street (Downtown) Bears McTavish’s name
Lingering Legends and Reports
For generations, residents shared strange tales and alleged sightings linked to McTavish’s former estate. Some reported eerie noises, unexplained parties, or ghostly figures in the ruins and on the slopes of Mount Royal, including the striking image of a coffin descending the hillside at midnight.
Although local societies attempted logical explanations—like moonlight or wind causing illusions—belief in the supernatural elements persisted. These stories became deeply rooted in Montreal folklore, ensuring that the legend of Simon McTavish remains alive in local memory.
