In Pure Spirit

For open minds

Ghost-hunter finds mysterious Loch Ness picture

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Paranormal-Investigator-Unveils-New-Image-Of-Nessie-532711
Does this picture show a monster in Loch Ness?

The photograph was taken by paranormal investigator Jonathan Bright and seems to show something other than a wave in the choppy waters of the Scottish loch.

Bright is a professional monster-hunter, who’s been on TV shows and even History Channel documentaries. He found the photograph three years after he took it as he’s spent months analysing thousands of his own surveillance of the area. He told the Express;

I investigate the paranormal but I also investigate legends and Nessie is one of them.

“Three years ago, I came to Scotland to investigate the Nessie legend and took thousands of photographs.

“It took me six months to look at them all and I found this one which I showed when I spoke at the Scottish Paranormal Festival in Stirling this week.

Bright is now expected in Edinburgh where he’ll search the capital for ghosts.

In Pure Spirit

What do you think? A fake? Just a rock peaking through the loch? Surely we’ve now seen enough scientific evidence to prove there’s no Nessie?

The 5 most haunted wedding venues in the UK

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Getting married is traditionally the best day of your life. Consumed with happiness, you both are riding high on the wings of love and nothing can touch you… or can it?

Numerous wedding venues across the country have built up a reputation as being haunted. Sightings of ghostly goings-on have been reported by the bride and groom themselves, and by unsuspecting guests. Whether or not you believe in the spirit world, the following list of spook-clad buildings may have you delving into the venues’ haunted history before you check in for your romantic wedding stay.

#5 Muncaster Castle

The Lake District
Muncaster_Castle

Number five on the list of spooky UK wedding venues is the historic, majestic, and (self-proclaimed) haunted Muncaster Castle. The castle is reportedly home to several ghosts, the most famous of which is Henry VI. The King took refuge here after his defeat at the Battle of Hexham, and is said to roam the corridors wailing in self-pity.

Other ghosts that reportedly reside here include; a young girl who was hanged in the castle; a head-carrying apprentice carpenter; and, possibly the most feared of them all, Thomas Skelton (aka Tom the Fool.) Tom the fool was a 16th Century jester, and was one who took great pleasure in leading castle guests to their quick-sand induced deaths. His portrait reportedly hangs within the castle but is believed to be hidden somewhere in the private quarters. Yes, that’s right: the castle is still a lived-in family home and has been since 1208… It can’t be that scary then, can it?

Update; A marketing agency working for Muncaster Castle with some enhanced information. Here’s what they said;

… it states Muncaster is haunted by Henry VI but while he did take refuge here as said, there are no reports of him haunting the place. We don’t claim a royal ghost!

Re other ghosts mentioned – Mary Bragg was murdered on the road nearby, not hanged, and the head-carrying apprentice carpenter was a new one on us. However a crying child is often heard, people staying overnight often hear footsteps when there’s no-one there, door handles turn by themselves and room temperatures plummet for no apparent reason. The info about Thomas Skelton is ok except that his portrait hangs on public display.

#4 Tutbury Castle

Burton-on-Trent
Tutbury_Castle_Ruins

The second castle that features on the haunted list, and fourth in terms of frightfulness, is Staffordshire’s Tutbury Castle. Mary Queen of Scots is said to roam Tutbury’s corridors’: Mary was held captive here by Elizabeth I on four separate occasions. This spooky venue actively encourages the bride and groom to have a second torch-lit wedding ceremony at midnight. Furthermore, they are asked if they wish to participate in one of the venue’s infamous ghost hunts that take place within the spooky castle grounds as an enhanced ‘celebration’ of their nuptials.

Over 40 male guests saw Marry Queen of Scots back in 2004 standing at the top of the south tower: thinking it was just the female curator donning a white gown, they all stood and laughed. The men later discovered that the curator was not on duty that night. In June this year, it was reported by archaeologists working in the grounds that a very active (and helpful) Mary was seen taking part in one of their seasonal digs.

#3 Ettington Park Hotel

Stratford-Upon-Avon
Ettington Park Hotel

Potentially built on a Roman villa site, this Neo-Gothic mansion is number three on the list of haunting hollows. Ettington Park Hotel has a rich and varied history: The building was used as a Prisoner of War camp following World War II and, prior to that, a nursing home. A luxury hotel since the 1980s, Ettington was the spooky setting for the movie, ‘The Haunting’, filmed in 1963. It has also encountered raging fire forcing it to close for many years prior to it’s re-opening as a licensed establishment.

BBC Coventry and Warwickshire spent an evening ‘ghost-busting’ at the hotel in 2006. Although they experienced no major goings-on, they did encounter a sudden and dramatic drop in temperature in certain rooms, and spent the evening on tenterhooks after hearing the staff’s ghostly tales. There have been countless ghostly reports at the hotel over the years; namely, moving books in the library; apparitions of a grey haired lady, a groundsman, and a servant; singing voices heard in the drawing room; and a candle hovering over a mantelpiece in the reception area. Two of the notable spirits taking residence at the Ettington are thought to be the ghosts of John Pritchard and Edward Shirley.

#2 Comlongon Castle

Gretna Green
Comlongon Castle

The runner-up in our most haunted wedding venue list is the 15th Century, Scottish border stronghold – Comlongon Castle. This magnificent building has a very conspicuous, and very permanent, resident in the form of Lady Marion Carruthers.

Lady Marion was said to have been ‘driven to madness’ back in the 16th century after being held captive in the building for many years. After being granted permission to marry her, Sir James Douglas – of the powerful Douglas family – would become joint owner of the family estate – Mouswald Castle. Marion tried to get out of the imminent marriage, but all attempts failed so she fled to her uncle’s castle and sought sanctuary at Comlongon. Marion was eventually court-ordered to surrender herself to James, and he did in fact inherit her estate. After many torturous years, it is believed that, the now insane, Marion committed suicide by leaping from the castle’s lookout tower. Some, however, believe that Marion was actually pushed to her death by James’ men after being ordered to do so.

Intriguingly, it has been noted for many years that no grass grows in the spot where Marion landed. Her ghostly apparition is often seen in and around the castle tower, crying. Due to the ruling of her death as suicide, Marion was not eligible for a Christian burial; as such, she is said to haunt the castle that ultimately became her place of unrest. Many former guests, including those from wedding parties, have reported seeing her ghost in one particular section of the hotel. Some have even taken photographs of the ghostly image and handed the prints to staff. These paranormal pictures are consistently being added to…

#1 Walworth Castle Hotel

Nr. Darlington
Walworth Castle Hotel

So, we have reached number 1 in our list of UK’s most haunted wedding venues. It may be surprising that the top spot goes to a hotel from the Best Western dynasty, but this no ordinary modern day chain: the building is a Grade 1 listed, Medieval-styled castle that was commissioned and built prior to 1600.

Walworth was home to over 200 German and Italian captives in the World War, and has also been a council-run girl’s school in the 50s. A private hotel since 1981, and gaining a wedding license shortly after, the building is said to be haunted by a former pregnant maid who had an affair with the Lord of the house. Fearing others would find about his illegitimate child, the Lord is said to have had the maid bricked up into the wall of the castle’s spiral staircase that conveniently, was having work done to it.

The spirit of the ill-fated maid is said to now roam the hotel and countless paranormal activities has been cited: Guests have been woken up by rattling tea cups; a female ghost has been seen roaming what was once the corridor to the honeymoon suite; ascending footsteps have been heard coming from the staircase at the rear of the library; and chambermaids have even reported having their hair pulled. Reports most closely linked to the tale of the maid include that of a ghostly woman emerging from one of the walls in the staircase, and guests hearing a woman desperately crying from behind the stairs in question.

In Pure Spirit

Would you get married in a haunted venue? Ask your wedding guests to dress up as ghosts, have a themed wedding and appear in the papers?

Are you planning a wedding for 2014? What tips, sites and deals would you recommend to fellow In Pure Spirit readers?

Image credit: Walworth Castle picture by Ulleskelf released under Creative Commons.

World’s most dangerous and haunted roads

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This infographic has been put together by a loan company and shows an impressive collection of dangerous roads. North Yungas Road sounds horrible, just 3 metres wide and with between 100 to 300 deaths every year. Would you risk it?

We can only speculate that the loan company was suggesting that driving was a dangerous business so maybe you’ll need the cash for repairs or car insurance? Let’s hope it wasn’t a hint to those poor souls stuck in the debt trap!

The infographic also looks at haunted roads and has the Tuen Mun Road in Hong Kong in first place. It’s another dangerous road with many blind spots and the locals believe that victims of crashes on the road come back as ghosts, haunt the roadside… and cause even more crashes.

road-infog

In Pure Spirit

Is there a dangerous or haunted road near where you live? Let us know in the comments below.

The ghosts and names of Penkaet Castle (Fountainhall)

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Penkaet Castle is situated just outside of Pencaitland and is one of those centuries old mansions that are a delicious blend of history and hauntings. As with any such combination, it elicits admiration, curiosity and a nervous tingle down the spine. Built over 400 years ago, this cream sandstone has seen several phases of additions being made to the original building and a few name changes as well. In 1971 it was listed as a category A building.

db_Fountainhall_house_Pencaitland1

History of Fountainhall

(also known as Woodhead or Penkaet)

Originally known as Woodhead, the property was home to the family of Sir George Cockburn of Ormiston. Legend has it that a relative of Sir George, John Cockburn, killed another relative, John Seton. In 1635 Sir George took the decision to sell the mansion.

It was later granted to Lord Fountainhall and took on the family name. A direct descendent, Sir Andrew Lauder, became the new owner in 1695 and the property was retained by the family until 1922.

When Professor Ian Holbourn, an author, acquired the home he promptly renamed it Penkaet Castle, although later owners decided it should revert back to Fountainhall House. Like any self-respecting centuries-old home, Penkaet Castle seems to have trapped the tortured spirits of a few of its past residents or callers.

Hauntings at Penkaet House

Probably the most talked about ghost is that of Alexander Hamilton, who begged for food and shelter from the Ormiston family. On being denied and roughly removed from the property, he screamed out a curse upon them all.

Only a few days later, Lady Ormiston and her daughter suddenly and mysteriously died. Hamilton was arrested and after admitting to tying some blue thread to the doors of the castle, he was put on trial for witchcraft and subsequently hanged at Edinburgh Castle. His ghost has reportedly been seen hovering at the main doors on many occasions.

John Cockburn’s murderous spirit is also said to frequent a cupboard in the mansion from which it sometimes emerges to walk the length of the room and exit through a wall.

The most illustrious ghost is apparently that of Charles I whose bed, complete with death mask, was a gift to the mansion’s most recent owner, Prof. Holbourn. The former sovereign still appears to have the occasional nap here, as the bed is often found in unexplained disarray.

Tales such as these will ensure that Penkaet Castle remains of great interest to many future generations.

In Pure Spirit

It’s not unusual for buildings to change their names but have you ever known a home to have had three different names that are still vying for influence?

Have you any more stories of hauntings or notes of history for Penkaet Castle?

Image credit: Clan Pringle, Pringle’s of Woodhead.

Is the Birkwood Psychiatric Hospital haunted?

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Birkwood “Castle”, once known as the Birkwood Psychiatric Hospital, is believed by some to be one of the most haunted buildings in the United Kingdom.

The building, at Lesmahagow in Lanarkshire, was built around 1860 and believed to have been designed by the Scottish architect John Baird for the McKirdy family and became a psychiatric hospital in 1923. The hospital had many child residents and worked with children is learning difficulties.

By 2002 Birkwood Castle closed and remains empty, an attempt to turn the B Grade listed building into a hotel and leisure centre failed in 2011 after the developers went into receivership.

The design is said to be interesting; featuring “hidden rooms” or, at least, rooms which can only be accessed from one of the building’s towers rather than the main corridors.

Ghosts at Birkwood Castle?

There are a number of reports of ghosts and apparent deaths at Birkwood.

Cigar smoke

Internet forums report the smell of cigar smoke, often brought up by staff when the hospital was operation. Staff are also believed to have mentioned lights turning on and off again as well as footsteps in empty corridors.

Henrik Richardson

The video above makes mention of a Henrik Richardson; said, by some, to have been stabbed through the throat while in the hospital. Paranormal investigators are particularly keen to see whether this alleged murder has resulted in any spiritual activity.

Bicycle boy

Some mediums visiting the hospital have spoken of the impression of a young boy riding, or towing, a bicycle while holding onto a teddy bear. Some have used the name “Mike” or “Michael”.

Crying girl

It has also been reported that the sound of sobbing or cry can be heard from some of the darker parts inside the building. Glasgow comedian Stuart Mitchell tweeted about his own encounter although he was filming with the YouTube based Haunted Planet TV at the time.

 

In Pure Spirit

Have you been to Birkwood House? Have you seen or heard anything that would lead you to believe it’s haunted?

Have you researched the old hospital to find any evidence of murder, death or other sightings in or near the building? Drop us your thoughts and, better still, a URL to reports in the comments section below.

New photograph of the Loch Ness monster

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A new photograph of what might be the Loch Ness monster has been published. The photograph shows an animal-like hump, with ripples that seem to suggest a turn, in the otherwise fairly still waters of Loch Ness.

There is a catch. The photograph was taken by George Edwards – who has hunted Nessie for 26 years and holds tours. Now, if anyone is going to be able to take a photograph of the Loch Ness monster then it’ll be someone like Edwards who is out on the waters, with a camera ready, more than anyone else. However, as Edwards isn’t a neutral – people will suggest his account his bias.

In the British newspaper, The Daily Mail, he says;

“It was slowly moving up the loch towards Urquhart Castle and it was a dark grey colour. It was quite a fair way from the boat, probably about half a mile away but it’s difficult to tell in water… I’m convinced I was seeing Nessie as I believe in these creatures. Far too many people have being seeing them for far too long.”

“The first recorded sighting was in 565AD and there have been thousands of eye witness reports since then… All these people can’t be telling lies. And the fact the reports stretch over so many years mean there can’t just be one of them. I’m convinced there are several monsters.”

In Pure Spirit

Do you think there is something in Loch Ness? Is it hundreds of years old or are there a family of them? Surely we’d have a better photograph by now.

Psychic Sally in Scotland

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Sally Morgan, also known as Psychic Sally, is one of Britain’s most popular psyhics. Her TV show “Psychic Sally: On The Road” runs on Living TV. Tickets are also still available for the On The Road tour for 2011, some of which will feature in the TV series.

Sally’s On The Road tour continues throughout 2011 and on the 14th of November she will star in the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline. Four days later, on the 18th of November Psychic Sally reaches Scotland’s capital city and stars at the Edinburgh Playhouse.

Yesterday it was announced that Psychic Sally: On the Road series 3 would start filming on Tuesday 29th of March. The Scottish events will not be part of the TV series as transmission begins on Sky Living in June this year.

Psychic Sally in Dunfermline’s Alhambra Theatre

Credit: Paul Campbell

This view of the Alhambra Theatre’s stage was taking during an open day while restoration work was carried out. The venue is said to cosy and intimate.

Psychic Sally in Edinburgh’s Playhouse Theatre

Credit: Lism

The Playhouse is at the top of Edinburgh’s Leith walk, near the many shops and popular restuarants and just around the corner from the famous Princess Street. The Playhouse is an old building which some people believe to be haunted.

In Pure Spirit

Are you a Sally Morgan fan? Will you be looking for tickets for Psychic Sally: On the Road comes to Scotland? If you’ve seen one of her live shows and were impressed or unimpressed then why not let us about your experiences in the comment section below?

Castle Menzies: Ghost hunts and history

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Once known as Castle Weem, Castle Menzies is believed to be haunted. It’s a popular venue for organised ghost hunts for tourists and more thorough investigations from paranormal investigators.

The castle was built in 1488 by Sir Robert Menzies and was then rebuilt some tween between 1502 when the castle took significant damage and 1571. Cromwell’s army used the castle in 1650, in 1715 the Jacobites captured it and in 1746 Bonnie Prince Charlie rested here on his way to Culloden.

Maharaja Dalip Singh, the last Maharajah of the Sikh Empire, lived in the castle between 1855 and 1858.

By 1918 the last of the Menzies (pronounced locally as Mingies) line who lived in the castle died and in 1857 the castle was purchased by the Menzies Clan Society and restoration work began

Hauntings

A number of paranormal investigators have recorded quite a volume of encounters in the castle. The following is just a selection of the more frequently mentioned locations.

There are reports of shouting being heard near the chief’s bedroom and one of the Victorian bedrooms is said to be a cold spot.

It is said that forms of three evil looking women, possibly witches, have been seen in the meat cellar. The wail of a cat has also been reported alongside paranormal incidents but the are many places for a real cat to prowl unnoticed in castle Menzies.

The corridor in front of the cellars is sometimes filled with strange smells. Crunching sounds are sometimes heard coming from it.

The so-called “Pink Room” is frequently involved with paranormal reports. People have heard foot steps, seen things by the windows and heard clanking sounds.

It is likely there has been both natural and unnatural death at the castle as it has been the sight of conflict.

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What is Féile na Marbh?

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The festival Féile na Marbh is Gaelic by tradition. In Scotland and Ireland it has become bundled into Samhain.

The phrase “Féile na Marbh” is Irish for Festival of the Dead.

In the past the festival itself could have lasted up to three days; beginning at the end of October. As a result Féile na Marbh can described as being both Samhain (Oidhche Shamhna in Scots Gaelic) and All Souls’ Day as well. There alternative historical theories; with some suggesting that Féile na Marbh concluded at the end of October after a three day festival.

It is widely accepted that bonfires are important for Féile na Marbh. One Irish custom begins with a ritual fire being lit atop of the Hill of Tlachtga. This signalled the lighting of fires across the country. Villagers would throw the bones of slaughtered catle into the flames. Hence the word “bonfire” from the origin “bone fire”. Villages would then re-light their homefires with flame taken from the main village bonfire; thus bonding the whole village together.

Féile na Marbh is considered a time when the curtain between worlds is weak. A time when the words of the living and the dead are close. The practise of turnip carving comes from a Celtic attempt to fighten spirits off.

The tradition of guising is still strong in Scotland. Children dress up as the dead (once again in the attempt to ward off the dead) and visit neighbours.

In Pure Spirit

Is Féile na Marbh a day or festival that’s important to you? How do you plan to mark it this year?

Traquair Fair: Sky Trumpets, traders and more

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Traquair House is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland. It takes back to the 11th century when it was a hunting lodge for royalty. Today it’s also a bed and breakfast, a day out for corporate groups and an ideal venue for weddings.

Traquair House is also the centre point to Traquair Fair. Returning in 2010, after an economic client enforced break in 2009, Traquair Fair is a popular weekend trip for families who appreciate craft, live music, alternative healing, outdoors food and the ale brewed at the House’s brewery.

The name is far older than the building itself. “Traquair” is believed to originate from the Celtic “tre” or “tret” which means hamlet or perhaps simply dwelling. The Quair burn joins the river Tweed just a few hundred yards from the historic house – and so the old Celtic tongue for the location could well have been “Tre-quair” hence Traquair.

Traquair Fair is always colourful. Whether it’s the tents belonging to those camping for the weekend, the bright colours of the performers costumes or sometimes the protective layer of umbrellas turned against the Scottish sky the fair is never bleak.

In 2010 an example of the colours on display at the Traquair Fair was the sky trumpets. This marvellous machine used its might ears to listen to wishes from the crowd. Who could resist its colourful charms?

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Disclosure

This blog discusses ideas and causes. Urban myth and history combine here. In Pure Spirit covers stories from elsewhere on the web and may make fair use clippings and quotations from the original source.