HAUNTED PLACES IN SINGAPORE

HAUNTED PLACES IN SINGAPORE

Coloured Houses

The three famous coloured houses in Singapore are the Red, White and Green House.

1. The Red House is situated in Pasir Ris, where many chalet-goers love to explore the place for thrills.
Most Famous Ghost Story: There was a rocking armchair with a doll sitting on it in the house, and a pair of stone lions stared at whoever attempted to sneak into the compound.
Current Condition: Remains abandoned and empty.

2. White House refers to Punggol’s Matilda House (although some refers to the Old Changi Hospital). It was built by Joseph Cashin in 1902 and was abandoned in the seventies.
Most Famous Ghost Story: Evil spirits had since occupied the empty house and would kill anyone who attempted to enter.
Current Condition: It is fenced up and equipped with CCTVs. New blocks of flats are built around it, and it will be turned into a clubhouse soon.

3. Hillview Mansion, located at a top of Hillview Hill, is also known as the Green House (some refers it as the Blue House).
Most Famous Ghost Story: Previous owner’s family was killed in a fire, and renovations were never quite completed because of the evil spirits lingering in the house.
Current Condition: The private mansion was demolished in 2004, leaving nothing behind except an old gate and a pile of rocks.

There is another coloured house located at Kampong Glam, though not associated with any haunting, that is known as the Yellow House (or Mansion) or Gedung Kuning. It was a former Malay palace and was built in the 1860s. The house changed hands several times, from Tengku Mahmoud (grandson of the 18th Sultan of Johor) to Haji Yusoff Haji Mohamed Noor (Malay entrepreneur and philanthropist) to finally the Singapore Government in 1999. It is now a conserved building, and is operated as a Malay restaurant.

Hospitals

4. Old Changi Hospital is perhaps the favourite place in Singapore for daring ghost-seeking youngsters. Built in 1935 as a British military hospital, it was occupied by the Japanese forces in WWII. The hospital was officially closed in 1997, as the patients were moved to the new Changi General Hospital.
Most Famous Ghost Story: Screams and shadows could be seen and heard at some of the wards, which were rumoured to be used as torture chambers by the Japanese.
Current Condition: Remains abandoned and empty.

5. View Road Hospital was a little known mental hospital located in Admiralty. A subsidiary of Woodbridge Hospital, it was opened in 1975 and closed in 2001.
Most famous Ghost Story: The mental patients, when alive, were trapped in the hospital. Their spirits, likewise, were unable to escape from the building.
Current Condition: Has been converted into a foreign workers’ dormitory called View Road Lodge.

Estates

6. Neo Tiew Estate looks like a normal HDB neighbourhood except it is empty and deserted. The flats were built in 1979 and en-bloc in 2002.
Most Famous Ghost Story: Haunted by vengeful banana tree spirits, resulting in the flats being abandoned.
Current Condition: Used by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in conducting urban warfare trainings.

7. Many Singaporeans completed their Basic Military Training (BMT) in Nee Soon Camp, an extremely old camp where its history goes all the way back to pre-WWII.
Most Famous Ghost Story: Prowling soldiers were frightened by mysterious eerie sounds as they walked past the Nee Soon Camp White House after midnight.
Current Condition: Occupied by the SAF Band.

8. Also a BMT camp, Pulau Tekong is perhaps famous for its tough trainings and ghost stories. It is rumoured (turned out to be false) that trainings are banned on Thursday nights due to the lurking of evil spirits.
Most Famous Ghost Story: The spirit of a dead recruit from Charlie Company, who died during a route march, was trapped in the bunk. An additional door had to be created to free the ghost.
Another popular one is the sightings of an old man and his young grandson who visit the bunks in the middle of the nights. The two phantoms spot those recruits who pretend to be asleep but are still awake.
Current Condition: The camp has gone through rapid modernisation in recent years.

9. Changi Commando Barracks used to house 15,400 British and Australian soldiers during WWII. It was taken over by the SAF after independence and was used as the headquarters for commandos from the seventies to eighties.
Most Famous Ghost Story: Haunted by the ghosts of the WWII Prisoners-of-war (POWs) who died of torture and starvation.
Current Condition: Remains abandoned but may be converted into a clubhouse by the Fairy Point Hotel which is currently being developed nearby.

Cemeteries

10. Bukit Brown, or commonly known as Kopi Sua (Coffee Hill) is a Chinese burial place that was opened in 1922. It was named after George Henry Brown, the first owner of the land. It was nearly cleared for development in the seventies.
Most Famous Ghost Story: Reported sightings of pontianaks hiding in the trees, and their evil laughs broke the silence of the cemetery at nights.
Current Condition: Deserted except during Qing Ming Festival.

HAUNTED PLACES IN ESSEX

HAUNTED PLACES IN ESSEX

Epping Forest, Essex

Epping Forest in Essex has a rich history, dating back to the Iron Age. There are stories of Roman battles, Norman invaders, and notorious highwaymen. In fact, the famous highwayman, Dick Turpin used a cave in the High Beach area of Epping as a hideout for many years. Due to the location of the forest in relation to London, it’s known as a burial area for murder victims, with many of the Krays victims believed to have been buried here.

Ghosts of Epping Forest

The haunted history of Epping Forest is notorious, so much so, Most Haunted carried out a live show here in 2003, in the hope of locating the ghost of Dick Turpin, whom they believe came into contact with them. Ghost hunts are also a regular occurrence throughout the year. As well as the ghost of Turpin, there are numerous other sightings and experiences that have occurred at Epping throughout the years.
The ghost of Boudica (Queen of the British Iceni tribe – AD60) is believed to haunt the forest. Poltergeist activity is also a regular occurrence, with people reporting being pushed or touched by unseen hands. Apparitions have been known to show themselves also. On one occasion, a man was spotted wearing a tricorn hat and cape, on top of a black horse.
At the Wake Arms round-about the headless apparition of a biker and a horse-drawn coach has been seen in the dead of night. A troubled spirit is said to run out in front of vehicles, staring into the drivers eyes before disappearing right before them. The ghost of a young girl who reportedly drowned near the Kings Oak Pub has been seen, as well as a headless horseman.

Hangman’s Hill

At Hangman’s Hill, there have been reports of an apparition of a man being seen in the wooded area. Terrifying screams are also heard here. It is said, that if you leave your car in neutral on the hill, your car will appear to roll upwards towards the tree where people have been hanged.

Red Lion Hotel, Colchester, Essex

The Red Lion Hotel was built in 1465 in Colchester Essex, Britain’s oldest recorded town. The inn itself is one of the oldest inns in all of Colchester. This historical building still has its original Tudor features, and wooden beams throughout, as well as the original rooms. Such is its historical importance, the inn is now a Grade I listed building.
As with most old coaching inns we have featured on Haunted Rooms, the Red Lion Hotel has a strong presence of the paranormal. With hundreds of years of being the centre of all the hustle and bustle around Colchester, and the many characters that have passed through its doors, it’s very little wonder that some have decided to stay behind.

Ghost of Alice Catherine Millar

Recently there have been 3 main sightings in the hotel. The most prominent of which is the ghost of  Alice Catherine Millar, who was murdered in the hotel in 1638. There have been reports of her ghost as far back as the 1800's. Her ghost was so terrifying to the owner of the inn back then, he had the door to her old room bricked up. It may have also been the room in which she was murdered. He had hoped that blocking the door to her old room would put a stop to the haunting, but it failed. Alice continued to haunt the inn, and still does to this day.
Guests and staff has reported seeing Alice’s apparition mostly in room’s 5, 6, and 10. She’s also been seen in the kitchen, and walking to her old room and through the blocked wall where her door once stood. On one occasion, the assistant manager was asleep in his room when he was suddenly awoken in the middle of the night from what he said felt like a strong bolt of electricity through his body. As he gazed around the room, he saw an old rocking chair begin to rock back and forward. To his amazement he witnessed a woman slowly appear on the chair. She then spoke to him and asked if he was alright. When he answered yes, she disappeared.

Hooded Monk

The figure of a hooded monk has been seen, mostly during the early hours. Often witnessed around reception and the corridors. He’s believed to be the ghost of a monk who died in a fire at the inn several hundred years ago. He is reported to have been trying to save some children that were in his care when he himself perished.

The Small Boy

The third ghost at the hotel is of a small boy. He has been seen numerous times in the parliament room, and mostly by children. He has been caught several times appearing in photos taken by guests too.

About

This old coaching inn is a stunning historical building, full of original features dating back to Tudor times. Each of its 20 rooms are individually decorated, and include en-suite. The Red Lion provides a relaxing environment that provides all the amentities you should expect from a modern hotel, as well as all the plush features that a 15th century coaching inn can offer. Rooms options include single, double, twin, and four poster. There is a restaurant on the premises (The Parliament) that offers classic dishes in a traditional coaching inn setting with original wood beamed ceiling. There’s also a bar as well as 24 hour room service. Parking is also available offsite, at the NCP on Osborne Street, at a cost of £4.50 per 24 hours.

Coalhouse Fort, Essex

Coalhouse Point was once the site of an artillery battery, however, today nothing survives of that building. With the recommendations of the Royal Commission on the Defence of the United Kingdom, the Point was rebuilt in the 1860s. It was completed in 1864 and became a coastal defence. The fort served as defence through two world wars and was purchased in 1962 by Thurrock Council.
During the Second World War, the rooms in the fort have instruments which were used to monitor the magnetic field of ships as they went on their journey. Monitoring was used to determine the effectiveness of the degaussing equipment of each vessel.
Some part of Coalhouse Fort is surrounded by a body of water and some dry ditch and this helped immensely in defence during the Victorian era. In 1949, the fort was leased to the Bata Shoe Company. It was used by the company for storage and was finally purchased by Thurrock Council in 1962. The land of the surrounding area has been cleared and turned into a public park; however, the fort was kept closed. Today, a pathway has been made which connects Coalhouse and Tilbury Fort. The pathway passes along Tilbury Power Station.

Ghosts of Coalhouse Fort, Essex

Coalhouse Fort is a place rife with paranormal activity. Several witnesses have said that they have seen strange apparitions and entities. Eerie voices, the laughter of children, heavy footsteps following people in the tunnels and the sound of something heavy dragging along the floor can be heard.
People who have come from all over the country and who have stayed at the fort have seen dark figures walking towards them and then disappearing right in front of them. Others have said that they have been touched and even attacked by unseen hands and forces.
There is also poltergeist activity in the fort. Things would get thrown around and chairs would also be moved. Stones and light bulbs are also thrown across rooms and at people. The most active location in the fort is the washroom. It is said that there is an evil presence there known by the workers there as Harry.  Harry has been known to throw chairs across large open spaces and sometimes at visitors. The more a person stays in the washroom, the more agitated and violent Harry becomes.

Borley Rectory, Essex

Borley Rectory – The Most Haunted House in England? Maybe. However, in recent years a cloud of doubt has risen over the validity of several of the ghostly claims. The house was burnt to the ground in 1939 but people still report several ghostly occurrences. Many people also claim that the house is the most haunted in the world, it’s up to you to decide!

History

Borley Rectory was first built back in 1863 on the site of an old monastry. The reports of strange occurrences date back to the mid to late 1800's however, the first documented evidence of paranormal activity was in the early 1900's.
The first reports that came to public attention were from 1928 when the then owner Guy Eric Smith and his wife contacted the Daily Mirror newspaper to report the strange goings on. The newspaper then took on the help of a paranormal investigator known as Harry Price. Mr Price stayed at the house to carry out extensive research for more than a year.
In 1939 the house was burnt to the ground, an oil lamp the cause. It was then left in ruins until 1944 when it was demolished.

Ghosts at Borley Rectory

For a house labeled as the most haunted house in England it’s little wonder there’s no shortage in ghostly experiences. One of the earliest sighting and perhaps most famous us that of a nun. Which may seem strange given that there used to be a monastry on the site, one would expect a monk rather than a nun.
According to local folklore, a nun from a nearby nunnery fell in love with a monk from the monastry, and the pair attempted to elope together. They were found and sentenced to death. The monk was reported to have been sent to the gallows in the monastry whilst the nun was sealed into the walls of the nunnery alive. This nun is believed to be the one that is seen on the grounds of Borley Rectory, looking for the monk in the hope of running away together once more.
The nun has been seen and heard several times throughout the years. She seemed to be most active during the time in which Rev. Harry Bull lived there.
The next most significant of reports comes from Eric Smith and his wife. They reported mysterious footsteps, doorbells ringing of their own accord, and poltergeist activity which occurred on numerous occasions. It was Eric Smith and his wife who reported their experiences to the Daily Mirror newspaper, who then arranged for the paranormal investigator Harry Price to stay and investigate.
Whilst staying there (for little over a year) Price witnessed the reported poltergeist phenomena first hand. He was said to have got in touch with the spirit of past tenant Rev. Harry Bull who died there years before. After numerous attempts at exorcising the property and continued media intrusions, in 1930 Mr and Mrs Smith left the house for good.
The next residents of the house were Rev. Foyster and his wife Marianne. They both were to continue to experience all the same phenomena that Price and the Smith’s had witnessed before them. However, the poltergeist activity seemed to become more aggressive with reports of smashed glasses, broken windows, and Marianne being thrown from her bed by an unseen force. The couple were to also experience otherworldly messages on the walls, which defied any logical reason like other reports.
After 5 years of what must have been very frightening indeed, the Foysters left the house leaving Price to move in and continue his study without interference. However during his stay he and his team of researchers were left relatively disappointed as they witnessed very little compared to what had been witnessed before. A full account of what Price experienced was published in the book ‘The Most Haunted House in England’.
Even after the house was burned to the ground reports continued to emerge. The most recent of reports occurred in the Parish Church.
Mr Price died in 1948 and since then many skeptics and have dissected his work, explaining all sound phenomena and other phenomena as misinterpreted natural occurrences. Believe what you will, but all reports stretching over a 100 years seem to cement its place as one of the most haunted houses in Britain, and maybe even the world.

Palace Theatre, Southend

Ghosts at the Palace Theatre, Southend

This grand theatre was built back in the early 20th Century and it was opened for theatre use in 1912 and is still open to this day.
If you sit down to watch a show at Palace Theatre, the empty seat behind you may not be as empty as you may think.
Actors have reported smelling tobacco backstage when no-one has smoked. Visitors have reported feeling a hand touching their shoulder whilst watching a show.
The ghost that has been haunting the Palace Theatre for so many years is thought to be that of George, the old theatre manager. He got so upset at the state of the theatres finances that he hung himself.
Other experiences include the reported sighting of a woman in white and the sound of a piano playing out in a deserted part of the building.

HAUNTED PLACES IN SCOTLAND

HAUNTED PLACES IN SCOTLAND

Tantallon Castle, East Lothian, Scotland

Tantallon Castle is a 14th century former fortress, situated atop a promontory, overlooking the Firth of Forth, 5 miles outside North Berwick, in East Lothian, Scotland. It’s the last castle built in Scotland that included a curtain wall.
Tantallon castle was built sometime in the mid 14th century by William Douglas, 1st Earl of Douglas. His son, George Douglas (later titled Earl of Angus), inherited the castle after William’s death. The castle remained in the hands of George’s family line for many years, despite repeated attempts to besiege it.
It wasn’t until 1491, that the castle was successfully besieged, by King James IV, and again by James V in 1528. On this occasion the castle took a heavy battering, which resulted in extensive damage. In 1639 it was hit during the Bishop’s War, and it was attacked for the final time, by Cromwell’s troops during his invasion of Scotland in 1651.
Tantallon was later sold to the Marquis of Douglas in 1699, then on to Hew Dalrymple, and later to Lord North Berwick. Today it stands semi-ruined, and under the control of Historic Scotland.

Eilean Donan Castle, Dornie, Scottish Highlands

Perhaps the most recognisable castle in all of Scotland? Eilean Donan is certainly the most romantic, perched at the centre of where three Scottish Locks meet. With history dating back to the 7th century, there are no prizes for guessing that there are ghosts that supposedly haunt its grounds.

Brief History

Famous for its appearance in many films, including the Highlander (with Sean Connery), Eilean Donan Castle was originally built in 13th Century (by the Clan Mackenzie and Clan Macrae) to defend the area from invading Vikings who controlled most of Northern Scotland between 800 and 1266 AD. However, it is believed there had been a settlement on this island since the late 7th Century, when the Irish Saint, Bishop Donan is thought to have formed a small community here.
In the early 14th Century Robert the Bruce was in hiding here for a time. In 1331 Randolph, Earl of Moray had 50 men executed here and had there decapitated heads put on display along the castle walls.
The castle was a stronghold for the Jacobite rebellions during the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1719 the castle was destroyed by the English Government for its role in the uprisings. The castle was being garrisoned by 46 Spanish soldiers who were in support of the Jacobites, when the castle withstood heavy bombardment for three straight days, leaving the castle in absolute ruin.
The castle was in ruin for more than 200 years until the island was bought by Lt Colonel John Macrae-Gilstrap in 1911. He proceeded to rebuild the castle over the next 20 years, until it was formerly completed in 1932 to original specifications, returning the castle to its former glory.
The castle you see today is as it would have appeared back in the 17th – early 18th centuries, and as it was when it was completed in 1932.

Eilean Donan Castle Ghosts

Spanish Soldier
During the Jacobite rebellion, 46 Spanish soldiers were stationed here when the castle was attacked by several government boats, leading ultimately to their death and the castles’ destruction. One of the more well known ghosts of Eilean Donan is believed to be that of one of the soldiers that died that day. His eerie apparition has been seen often in the gift shop, clutching his head underneath his arm.

Dalhousie Castle Hotel & Spa, Edinburgh

Dating way back to the 13th century, this castle has seen many people passing through its doors. It’s alleged to be haunted by a number of ghosts, most notably that of Sir Alexander Ramsay. He was starved to death in 1342 in Hermitage Castle by William Douglas, and has been seen roaming the halls and grounds of the hotel since then. Another of the ghosts is that of Lady Catherine, known as the ‘Grey Lady’, often seen around the turrets and in the dungeon of the castle.
Because ghostly activity is so rife at the hotel, ghost tours now happen at Dalhousie castle on a regular basis, allowing individuals to see some of the spooky sights for themselves – but guests who have no part in the ghost tours have also experiences spooky happenings, including unexplained noises, movement of objects and footsteps in the night.

History

Originally built in the 13th century, only the vaults and thick walls at foundation level remain of the original castle. Much of the present structure was built in 1450, although many extensions and alterations have occurred over the following centuries. Entry into the castle used to only be via a drawbridge over a moat, but when the castle was turned into a hotel, the moat was re-excavated.
A number of other notable features include a mural staircase leading from the banqueting hall to the vaults, and a spiral staircase leading from what used to be the first floor of the keep down to the dungeon. Prisoners used to be lowered into the dungeon by rope and there was then no escape through the 11” thick walls.

About

Dalhousie hotel offers 29 luxury bedrooms, all decorated in traditional Scottish fabrics such as tweed, tartan and twill. All of the rooms contain period furniture, soft carpets and antique rugs to really enhance the sense of grandeur and history that you get from the hotel. 20 of the rooms are themed – 2 themed suites, 9 themed four-posters, 7 themed twins/doubles and 2 executive themed doubles. There are also 9 castle-standard bedrooms, but these are also individually designed and decorated.
You have two eating options at the hotel, one of which is a hugely atmospheric restaurant located in the dungeons, complete with stonework, metal armour and weaponry and shadows across the walls. Here you will find fine Scottish cuisine that really makes the most of local produce. You could also eat in the Orangery Restaurant, which offers a more informal eating experience with sweeping views over the River Esk. There’s plenty to do at the hotel, too – try a relaxing treatment in the spa or have a go in the Hydro Pool. You could also try one of their falconry experiences or take your hand to falconry on their five-day falconry training course, or why not have a go at archery?
The hotel has a wedding license as well as an exclusive use option, whereby you can use the whole castle in private. Whatever you choose to do at the castle, you’re sure to have a fantastically relaxing stay here.

Fyvie Castle, near Turiff, Aberdeenshire

Brief History

Fyvie Castle near Turif in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is believed to have been built around the 13th Century by William the Lion. The castle served as a Royal stronghold until 1390, shortly after the Battle of Otterburn. It was then passed down to a succession of clan families. Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon, and Leith respectively. Each of the families constructed a new tower onto the castle, the first of these being the Preston Tower. Dated between 1390-1433, the tower remains to this day. The Seton family added the Seton Towers in 1599, which you can see dominating the entrance to the castle. The great processional staircase was also added by Seton’s some time after. The Gordon Tower was added in 1777, and lastly the Leith Tower in 1890.
There are a number of famous portraits hung in the castle, as well as displays of authentic armour and weapons. The descendants of Alexander Leith, who owned the castle in the late 1800's – early 1900's, sold the castle to the National Trust for Scotland in 1984. The castle is now open to the public to admire its architecture, art collection, and family history.

Fyvie Castle Ghosts

As with most old castles, the odd tale of a ghost or two is commonplace, and with Fyvie Castle that certainly is the case, with a little more to boot.

Grey Lady

Thought to tbe the ghost of Lady Meldrum who died sometime in the 13th Century. It is believed that she requested to be buried in the walls of a secret room in the Meldrum Tower. It wasn’t until 1920 that her remains were discovered. The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery, and from that day forward, the castle has experienced several strange and unexplained occurrences.  The apparition of Lady Meldrum has been seen many times around the castle.

Green Lady

Thought to be Dane Lilias Drummond, the wife of Sir Alexander Seton. After producing 5 children, none of whom male, Alexander grew impatient. Longing for a son his attentions turned towards the cousin of his wife, Grizel Leslie. Heartbroken and betrayed, Lillias retired to their home in Fife, where she became ill and died shortly after. The story goes that on the night Alexander married Grizel, in their bedroom in the castle, they could hear heavy sighs coming from outside their window, believing it to be nothing more than the wind. Upon opening the window in the morning Alexander found the name D LILIAS DRUMMOND, carved into the stone. This name can still be seen to this day!
Her ghost is said to roam the corridors of the castle, bemoaning the betrayal of her husband, and leaving behind a scent of Rose petals in her wake.

Phantom Trumpeter

The sounds of a trumpet being played can be heard throughout the castle. Believed to be the ghost of Andrew Lammie, who died of a broken heart after finding out about the death of his beloved Agnes. Andrew is also said to appear dressed in rich tartan, near the castle wall. On several occasions the figure of a man has been seen, only to disappear when approached.
The Legend of ‘The Weeping Stones of Fyvie’
Upon visiting the castle sometime ago, Thomas the Rhymer also known as True Thomas (because of his future telling abilities), told of a prophecy that goes:

Fyvie, Fyvie, thou’s never thrive
As lang’s there’s in thee stanes (stones) three
There’s ane intill (one in) the oldest tower, 
There’s ane intill the ladye’s bower,
There’s ane intill the water-yett (water gate)

And thir three stanes ye never get.
This message refers to three stones that were used in the construction of the Preston Tower, the Charter Room, and one stone that was rolled into the Ythan River. They were apparently taken from a sacred burial site, and until they are returned, no male heir shall live to ever inherit the castle. The stones are also said to remain wet when all around them are dry, and dry when all around them are wet. One of the stones was found in the Charter room, and can be seen today on display in the castle.
Is the story true? No-one knows, but the fact that a male heir has never survived to inherit Fyvie Castle, could very well mean there is some truth to the legend.

Glamis Castle, Angus, Scotland

Glamis Castle is widely renowned as one of the most haunted locations across the British Isles. The sheer number of reports that have occurred there, as well as the folklore that surrounds it, certainly lend itself to this claim.

Brief History of Glamis Castle

The current and only owners, the Bowes-Lyons family, were originally awarded the land by Robert the Bruce in 1372, for services to his thrown. The Bowes-Lyons family, now the Earls of Strathmore, includes the late Queen Mother, who was born at the castle, and also gave birth to Princess Margaret there in 1930.
The castle, like many others, has undertaken many renovations and additions throughout the centuries. When Mary Queen of Scots visited the castle in 1562, the East Wing was dominated by the main Tower, which was erected in 1435. At this time the castle was enclosed with a fortified courtyard.
During the 17th Century several additions were made to the castle. The West Wing was erected, and a small north-east wing was added, which would house the chapel. The walls surrounding the castle, as well as surrounding buildings were all removed during this time, and were replaced by baroque sculptures and courtyard.
In the mid 1700's the grounds that lay in front of the castle were landscaped and the line of trees that you see today leading up to the castle were planted. Various renovations and additions continued throughout the mid to latter 1700's. In 1775, the castle grounds were redeveloped into open parklands by then leading British landscape architect, Capability Brown.
No major renovations to the castle have occurred since the pitched roof of the East Wing was replaced with castellations in the late 1700's, and reconstruction of the West Wing in a similar style in 1800.
Alterations to gardens, the addition of the Dutch Garden in front of the castle in 1893, and the Queen Mother’s parents addition of the Italian garden in 1910 are the last major alterations to the castle.

Ghosts of Glamis Castle

There are many reported ghosts that haunt Glamis Castle, but to write about them all here would be a book in itself. So, I’m just going to talk about the ones that have been reported most often.

The Woman without a Tongue

Perhaps the most reported, certainly the most chilling, is the ghost of the woman with no tongue. She has been seen wandering around the grounds pointing to here badly wounded face. She has also been seen looking out from a barred window within the castle. It is not clear who this spirit might be, or what may have happened to her.

The Grey Lady

Believed to the be the ghost of Lady Glamis (Janet Douglas), who was burned at the stake for being a supposed witch in 1537. Her first husband was John Lyon (Lord Glamis), with whom she had a son also named John. She was accused of poisoning him upon his death in 1528, but she was cleared of the crime and was free to marry her second husband Archibald Campbell of Skipness. However, in July 1537 she was accused of planning to poison King James V of Scotland, and communicating with her brothers, who were part of several conspiracies against the King.
Although the allegations were clearly false, she was sent to Edinburgh Castle dungeon with her husband (who did escape but was later killed). James could not find any evidence to convict her, so he tortured her family and servants in a bid to “find the truth”. Janet was later convicted and burned at the stake on 17 July 1537 at Castle Hill, Edinburgh.

The Young Servant Boy

The ghost of a young servant boy has been seen sitting on the stone seat by the door of the Queen’s room on several occasions. He’s seen as a full bodied apparition, but has never been heard or seen anywhere else in the Castle.

Ghost of Earl Beardie

One of the more infamous ghosts of Glamis Castle is that of Alexander Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford, also known as Earl Beardie.
He was supposedly a cruel and twisted man who drank heavily. His presence has been seen, heard, and felt all around the castle. Reports of children wakening in the middle of the night only to see a dark figure standing over their beds have been noted.
Many believe he’s in a secret room in the castle gambling with the devil for all eternity. Legend goes, he was visiting the castle one Sunday night and upon returning to his room, he was shouting in a drunken rage for someone to come and play cards with him. Nobody wanted to take him up on his offer on a Sabbath, so he finally raged he’d play the Devil himself. Shortly after there was a knock at the door, it was a tall gentleman in a long dark coat, and he asked if Earl Beardie still needed someone to play cards with him. The Earl agreed to play the man, and they retired to a room in the castle, slammed the door shut, and proceeded to play cards into the night.
There was lots of swearing and shouting coming from the room which could be heard throughout the castle. One of the servants apparently looked through the keyhole out of curiosity to see what all the commotion was about, only to be blinded in one eye by a bright beam of light shining through. The Earl heard the servant outside the door and rounded on him for spying. When he headed back to the room, the man who was believed to be the Devil had gone, along with the Earl’s soul. He’s said to still be playing cards, apparently in a secret room in the castle. His shouts have been reported throughout the castle to this day.

Ackergill Tower Castle Hotel, Wick, Caithness, Scotland

In the 15th century, the castle was owned by the Keith family who were in a feud with the Gunn family. After several murders and revenge murders on either side, Helen Gunn was abducted by a member of the Keith family for her beauty. She either jumped or fell from the tower at the castle trying to escape. She’s now seen either as a green lady, or as a lady in a long red ball gown with tall black hair.

History

Ackergill Tower has a long and involved history – first mentioned in history in 1538, it has been the catalyst for various feuds over the years. In the 14th or 15th century when Helen Gunn was abducted, the Gunn family and the Keith family started feuding even more, which led to the Battle of Champions. In 1547, the Sinclairs attacked and seized the castle, but Mary of Guise, who was then the Regent of Scotland, returned it to the Keith family. She then installed Laurence Oliphant as keeper of Ackergill in 1549, but the Sinclairs seized the castle once more. The castle changed hands a few more times after that, but was then sold legally to the Sinclairs in 1612. In 1699 the castle was sold to the Dunbars, who added extensions and renovations. In 1986 it was sold and underwent renovation for 2 years, when it was then opened as a luxury hotel.

About

Ackergill Tower has often been described as one of the most luxurious hotels in the world – not a title given to many hotels. It has lots of different areas of accommodation – the main tower, sleeping up to 32 with a mixture of double, twin and single rooms, the beach house, sleeping up to 10 with a mixture of double and twin rooms and 4 bathrooms, the sunshine and seashore cottage, sleeping up to 4 with 2 double bedroom suites and 2 bathrooms and the smiddy, sleeping up to 2 with 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. All of the rooms are decorated in a modern, elegant style, complete with antique furniture, luxurious soft furnishings and sumptuous fabrics.
Ackergill Tower prides itself on being able to do whatever it can for its guests – so you can enjoy your diner in the dining room, or they could prepare a picnic for you to enjoy overlooking the sea. Their food is all prepared using local, fresh ingredients and is made to order – homemade liquors are also available. Guests can also enjoy over 50 action-packed activities in the grounds of Ackergill Tower, so you’ll never be short of things to do.
There are also numerous function rooms, including a room called The Tree House, which is set amongst 150 year old sycamore trees. Staff at Ackergill will do their very best to give you everything you need and will look after you as much as you need them to. If you’re looking for a hotel that will amaze and inspire you – and that will leave you feeling totally refreshed and looked after, Ackergill Tower is definitely the place to stay.

Airth Castle Hotel, Falkirk, Scotland

Many castles across the United Kingdom are haunted – and Airth Castle is definitely one of them. In rooms 3, 9 and 23, the sound of children playing has been heard when the rooms were otherwise empty – perhaps these are the ghosts of two children who died along with their nanny in a fire at the castle?
A phantom dog, who roams the hallways nipping at people’s ankles has also been seen and felt by guests and staff alike. Guests have also reported hearing screams and cries late at night, which are believed to come from a maid who was brutally attacked by her master.

History

Airth Castle overlooks the village of Airth and the river Forth, located in Falkirk. It’s a category A listed building and is regarded as one of the most important historical buildings in Scotland – it has retained plenty of medieval fabric along with much of its original structure. A church also stands within the grounds of the castle that dates back to 1647.

About

The hotel has a whopping 125 en-suite bedrooms in both the castle and hotel. The rooms are individually decorated in a lavish and luxurious style – this is a 4* hotel and so you can expect sumptuous fabrics, soft furnishings and elegant antique furniture in every room. All rooms come with complementary bath products, soft white towels, satellite television, tea and coffee making facilities, trouser press and ironing facilities.
Free Wi-Fi is also available throughout the hotel. The hotel also comes with spa facilities that are available to everyone who stays at the hotel – these include an indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, technogym with plasma screens, sauna, steam room, tanning salon and solarium and beauty spa rooms. Weddings and conferences can also take place at the hotel, and with a newly refurbished honeymoon suite, the hotel can offer a fully personalised wedding service.
There are numerous dining options at the hotel – The Grill Room, a restaurant and grill that offers delicious food without pretention, and The Business Lounge, an informal space perfect for holding meetings or for enjoying a lighter meal. Private dining is also available on request.

Tulloch Castle Hotel, Dingwall, Scotland

Tulloch Castle is actually thought to have many ghosts – but the most-sighted ghost, and the ghost most talked about, is the Green Lady. She has been sighted so frequently, the bar in the castle is actually named the Green Lady Bar and a portrait of the lady believed to be the Green Lady, Elizabeth Davidson, hangs in the Great Hall.
The Green Lady is also one of the few ghosts that has been captured on film, prompting numerous investigations into the castle. A number of paranormal teams have investigated the castle over the years, and they have found some very interesting results. Balls of light, orbs and icy cold patches of air have been seen and felt and constant noises, clicks, bangs and thuds have been recorded on film – with no explanation.

History

Some parts of the castle date back to the 12th century, but all that remains of the original building are the south-west corner and tower. The castle was first named Tulloch Castle in 1507, and the name has stuck ever since, despite it changing hands numerous times in the ensuing years.
The Bayne family owned and lived in the castle from 1513 right through to 1752. The castle was then sold ten years later to Henry Davidson, and his family owned and lived in the family until the 1900s. In 1940 Tulloch Castle was used a hospital for a short period of time after the evacuation of Dunkirk, and in 1947 it was leased to the Education Authority when it was used as a girl’s hostel. In 1996, the Macaulays bought the castle and converted it into a hotel, and it is now still used as a hotel and a conference centre.

About

Tulloch Castle is one of the few castle hotels that still absolutely retains the look of a castle. Upon arrival at the castle, you’ll be greeted with countless period features – stone fireplaces, original ceilings, panelled rooms, stunning picture windows and plenty of original antique furniture. You’ll also be greeted by a friendly and professional team who will cater to your every need.
There are 20 en-suite rooms at the castle, all with period features, some with four-poster beds. There are a number of room options, too, including single rooms, twin rooms, double rooms, four-poster rooms and a family room – there is a room at Tulloch Castle for everyone. All of the rooms have their own unique character and personality, with sumptuous fabrics, soft furnishings and stunning paintings and mirrors.
You can enjoy a dining experience fit for a king at Turrets restaurant, where local Highlands produce is bought and prepared by Tulloch’s chefs. You’ll be able to choose from numerous locally sourced dishes from an a la carte menu, with a huge selection of wines to match the dishes. Breakfast in the castle is also a delicious affair, with over 7 different types of marmalade and jam and a number of cooked and cold dishes available. The castle also boasts a guest lounge, as well as a stunningly comfortable reception hall. For more informal drinks and dining, you can take a seat in the Green Lady bar. Whatever your reasons for coming to stay at Tulloch Castle, you’re sure to have a magical stay here.

Balmoral Castle, Aberdeen

Balmoral Castle can be found near the village of Crathie. It is one of the several residences of the British Royal Family. It was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Although Balmoral Castle is not part of the Crown Estate, it remains a private property of the monarch. When the Queen purchased the castle, she found it too small so it was demolished and a new building was constructed and completed in 1856.
Today, the estate is home not only to the castle, but also to farmland, forestry, grouse moors and herds of Highland Ponies and sheep. It is also the home of many ghosts.

History

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert first came to Scotland in 1842, five years after she became the queen and two years after their union. It was in February 1848 when Prince Albert decided to acquire the lease on Balmoral castle, complete with the staff and furniture. It was said that Queen Victoria found the house to be small but pretty. In 1848, William Smith was commissioned to design new ancillary buildings for the castle, as well as improve it. Although William Smith was the architect, Prince Albert amended his designs.

Ghosts of Balmoral Castle

One of the most popular ghosts of Balmoral Castle is that of John Brown. He was the friend of Queen Victoria and he has been seen walking around the castle corridors. John Brown was one of the servants of Balmoral Castle whom Queen Victoria had reportedly fallen in love with. This remains a matter of conjecture but it is said that Queen Elizabeth II has reported seeing the ghost of John Brown on the corridor and feeling his presence. He is said to be always wearing his kilt.

Borthwick Castle, Edinburgh

Because Borthwick castle is an old, old building with a long and involved history, it has been home to many distinguished guests over the years, including Mary Queen of Scots. Mary sought sanctuary at Borthwick with her husband in 1567 when she learnt that the Scottish noblemen wanted to capture them, and although 1,000 men surrounded the castle she escaped through a window dressed as a pageboy. Many people say Mary still comes back to the castle and she has been seen wandering the halls on a number of occasions.
Paranormal investigations at the castle have also shown there to be much activity, including disembodied voices, clicking and banging noises, light anomalies, apparitions and members of the team feeling sick and nauseous.
Betsa Marsh, writing for British Heritage Magazine, said this about the hotel, “The Red Room has spooked so many people that the owners called in an Edinburgh priest to exorcise its lingering spirits. Legend says that a young servant girl bore an illegitimate Borthwick son in the room. Mother and baby, potential threats to the title, were quickly put to the sword. In other era, the Borthwick family chancellor used this room, and the niches for his safes remain in the stone wall to this day. According to gossip, the Borthwicks discovered their chancellor was embezzling money from the family coffers. Eschewing the nicety of a performance review, they intercepted the chancellor on his way home from Edinburgh one evening and cancelled his contract by burning him to death. The ghosts of the young servant girl and the fired chancellor still wander the stony spiral staircases of Borthwick, some people say, and even the most stalwart visitors admit to feeling invisible presences in the Great Hall.”

History

The castle was first built in 1430 by Lord Borthwick, because of a charter to build the castle that was awarded to William de Borthwick for his part in bringing the King home to Scotland after 18 years of being imprisoned in England. It was designed to be a stronghold so that whoever was inside could oversee large areas and withstand attack from invaders, but it was also designed so that offensive attacks could be launched from inside the castle, with 100 feet walls that were 20 feet thick at the bottom.
The castle was neglected a little until World War II when it was considered strong enough to store records and antiques, and then in the 1970s electricity and plumbing were introduced and central heating was installed. The castle has been run as a hotel since 1973.

About

The hotel offers a really unique travelling experience, and has buckets of medieval charm that will lighten the heart of even the most seasoned of travellers. All of the bedrooms are tastefully and thoughtfully decorated in a period style and are furnished with many antiques, including a number of four poster beds. Many of the bedrooms have been styled in a certain theme and have been named after one of the dignified guests that stayed in the castle way back when, although there are also a number of standard rooms if you have a slightly lower budget.
The restaurant at the hotel is also an unforgettable experience and with high vaulted ceilings and tables lit by candlelight, the atmospheric setting lends itself well to any meal, large or small. The hotel offers a set menu for £45.00 per adult and £12.50 per child, although an a la carte menu is also offered. There are a number of public rooms that are available at the castle, with space for meetings, conferences and castles – so whatever your reason for staying at this atmospheric place, you’ll find that it’s the perfect setting for any occasion.

HAUNTED PLACES IN CHINA

HAUNTED PLACES IN CHINA

No.10 Poltergeist in the poorhouse

Add: Huguang Huiguan Hufang Bridge, Xuanwu district. Beijing.
Much like the house in the Poltergeist movies, Huguang Huiguan got its ghosts from the fact it was built on an ancient graveyard. From the beginning of the establish of new China, a rich philanthropist decided to do away with the cemetery and built a home for the poor on the site. The spooks were originally kept at bay by the fact that the home's janitor was so disfigured by leprosy that even the undead couldn't bear the sight of him. The dead rose again once the building became the Provincial HQ of Hunan and Guangdong. Though it has kept this title, it now houses an opera museum. Legend has it that if you  throw a stone into the courtyard you will hear someone scolding, yet there is nobody there.
These days it's probably scarier being inside the yard and having would-be-ghost hunters hurling rocks at you like it's the Japanese embassy after a Prime Ministerial shrine visit.

No.9 A nightmare of red mansions 

Add: Cao Xueqin former residence 33 Xiaoshihu Hutong, Xidan Xicheng district.
According to local residents, the house where Cao Xueqin wrote the classic Chinese novel, A Dream of Red Mansions is possessed by a small orchestra. Like the family in his literary masterpiece, Cao was from a big family which was torn apart - he dealt with the aftermath of the split by moving into this home and writing the book. Although the building where the house once stood is now a wedding photography studio, local people said that late at night you could hear the sound of music played on traditional stringed and woodwind instruments accompanied by a woman reciting poetry.
Poetry can be scary stuff at the best of times, especially when it is written by angst-ridden teens. As for the ghost orchestra – a lung-less woodwind section? Sure.

No.8 Tornado of terror 

Add: Liwangfu Xian Gate (west of Forbidden City), Xicheng district.
Now a government office, during the Qing dynasty this building was the home to the family of a high-ranked official family. Mrs Shi, the granddaughter of a servant to the Manchu household tells how a whirlwind up to four meters blows around the courtyard even though the air a few steps away is completely still.
Ghost tornado – sounds like a lot of hot air left over from all those politicians.

No.7 Book spines and spooks

Add: Songpo Library 7 Shihu Hutong, Xicheng district.
Songpo library holds a special place in Chinese history as it was once the home of Wu Sangui, the general in charge of the vital pass at Shanhaiguan and the man who is said to have let the Manchu army through the Great Wall – an act instrumental to the fall of the Ming Dynasty. Wu's decision to abandon Ming Emperor Chongzhen and defect is said to be due to his love for the beautiful courtesan Chen Yuanyuan – once again proving the Chinese idiom, 'a beauty wrecks the country.'  For his troubles Wu got both a cushy new post in the Qing court and the girl, who he soon tired of. A heartbroken Chen decided to end her life by hanging herself and for the last hundred years has been haunting the quiet hutong.
What with all those rules about being quiet all the time, libraries can be spooky places. But surely the startling amount of Dan Brown books on the shelves is more of a cause for alarm.

No.6 Altared state

Add: Chaonei church 81 Chaoyangmennei (On the north side of the road, opposite Simin Primary School), Chaoyang district.
Reputed to be one of the city's most haunted buildings, it easy to guess why this downtown church is one of the only deserted buildings in such a heavily built up area. A British priest started to build the church, but mysteriously disappeared before it was completed. The Church of England sent a team to investigate but all they found was a strange tunnel that led from under the crypt all the way to Jiuxianqiao Lu in Dashanzi. This early precursor to the Airport expressway was destroyed with the building of the city's line 2 subway. During the Republic of China period between the fall of the Qing dynasty and the war with Japan, the church became the residence of a high-ranking National Party official. When the communists came to power in 1949 he fled to Taiwan, leaving his family to fend for themselves – his wife was so distraught that she committed suicide. Some nights you can still hear her cry. The building still lays deserted, save for a night watchman, and subsequent efforts to redevelop the site have been plagued by the mysterious disappearances of workmen.
Churches at night are places that only insomniac vicars and candlestick craving cat burglars dare venture. If it wasn't for the fact you'd have to use a footbridge, you'd probably cross the road to avoid walking past it.

No.5 Suicidal siren 

Add: Zijin Building 68 Wanquanhe Lu, Haidian district.
Late at night the howls of a suicidal woman echo through the corridors of this building – if you don't believe us, ask the developer. Before this part of Haidian was redeveloped, an older apartment block stood on this site, where a woman once hung herself. Because the suicidal woman's grievances were so strong, she came back as a ghost and it was not long because the land was condemned as nobody wanted to live there. A sharp-eyed investor later picked up the plot on the cheap and built the building that currently stands there. It was not long before the people who had rented apartments in the new building started moving out, complaining of a ghostly woman shrieking at night. 

The investor, not a man that believed in ghosts, decided to spend a night at the building to stop the superstitious chatter once and for all. But, exactly as he had been told, he heard the woman's deathly screams, leading him to flee the building in just his pajamas and check into a local hotel. The next day he hired a Fengshui expert from Hong Kong to come and rid the haunted building of its ghost. As soon as the would-be ghostbuster arrived at Beijing airport he asked for the building's location and set about making a few calculations on his Fengshui instruments. Who knows what he found out? All we know is that he got the next plane home. 

Anything that puts the willies up someone who specialises in interior décor isn't technically that scary. 

No.4 Front page news 

Add: 1 Mianhua Hutong (South to Jiaodaokou), Dongcheng district.
What's the story? This former courtyard home is stained in blood and has, literally, an army of ghosts. This former barracks was the place where no-nonsense Ming dynasty official Qin Liangyu had hundreds of soldiers executed for an alleged breach of discipline. As if the spectres of soldiers weren't enough, during the Republic of China period it was the home of Society Daily editor, Lin Baishui, who met an untimely end on the premises in August 1926 after offending a heavy-hitting National Party politician. More recently the building became home to a Mr Li who is alleged to have abducted a young girl, murdered her and then set himself on fire. To this day the house remains deserted as nobody dares live in it. 

The thought of ghost soldiers and a kiddy murderer made the hairs on the back of our necks go up. 

No.3 Chopping block party

Add: The old execution ground Caishikou (southwest to the southern end of Tiemen Hutong), Caochang Street, Xuanwu district.
One ghost story that has passed over into local legend is that of a tailor in Caishikou, the city's old execution ground. He awoke one night to find a thief walking around his shop and - safe in the knowledge his shop contained nothing valuable and fearful for his safety should he intervene - he did nothing. On hearing the intruder leave, the tailor checked his shop to find that all that was missing was a needle and thread. He then heard shouts from outside and went out to find the body of a thief who had been executed the previous day – his freshly removed head had been neatly reattached using his stolen needle and thread, which lay beside the corpse. It seems that after suffering a most unnatural death, many of the dead appear not content to let bygones be bygones.

With more blood spilt on the execution ground than at any other place in the city - it has to be the most potential to be Beijing's most haunted place. Even though people aren't killed there anymore, you'd have to be off your head to get the ouija board out here at night. 

No.2 Army

Add: General Yuan's tomb Zhongsitiao, Huashi Dajie, Chongwenmen, Chongwen district.
Despite being a tactically astute general who had repeatedly held off against Manchu invaders, Emperor Chongzhen suspected Yuan Chonghuan was not loyal to the Ming throne. These suspicions started a chain of events that ended with not only the fall of the Ming and the start of the Qing dynasty, but also Yuan's capture and eventual execution in 1630. To add insult to injury, his corpse was butchered and his body was fed to the poor. Luckily an officer named She remained loyal to his old general and rescued what was left of his body and gave it a proper burial. Despite the ever loyal She family guarding his crypt for 17 generations, some nights the general still gets out and roams the surrounding area looking for revenge. 

In theory a ghost general thirsty for revenge should be a pretty frightening thing, but seeing as he went to such lengths to feed the poor, he's got to have a good bone in his body. 

No.1 Regal reign of terror

Add: The Forbidden City
It is no coincidence that Beijing's most haunted house also happens to be its most famous - The Forbidden City. The home of the country's all-powerful Imperial family and a vipers nest of concubines and servants betraying and murdering one another for influence - thousands have lived and died within its blood red walls. One of the palace's most dramatic episodes came when a peasant uprising spelt the end of the Ming Dynasty in 1644. Before Emperor Chongzhen trudged up Jingshan hill to hang him he ordered his wife, Queen Zhou to hang herself – which she dutifully did. His favourite concubine, Yuan Fei failed to follow the same order, and on hearing the news the Emperor stormed into her room cut off both her arms, leaving her to bleed to death. He then went straight to the Ningshou Palace and cut off daughter Princess Changping's left arm before killing his youngest daughter.

It is said that in the 1950s security guards at Forbidden City often sighted strange animals running around at night. They report that that they were shaped like a rat but as big as a pig and could run so fast, that no one has ever been able to catch one in 60 years. Many believe the beasts were bred in the Qing dynasty to chase ghosts away. One of the most credible ghost sightings is from Wang Yanru, whose Grandfather was a security guard at the Palace and let the then nine-year-old into the city early one winter morning in 1968. 'It was freezing cold, and I was the only person in the entire City,' says Wang. 'I walked through the first temple courtyard to where the concubines were housed. A door was ajar; something urged me to open it. When I did, I saw women inside, I could hear them crying. I was terrified and ran as fast as I could, but I was lost and couldn't find a way to get out. I reached the Imperial Garden, and there was a woman with very long hair standing there with her back to me, I yelled to get her attention but she didn't turn around. Finally, I reached the end of the complex where another security guard heard me and let me out. I told him that he should go and warn the woman in the garden. He looked at me very strangely and said, 'you must have been mistaken, there is no-one in there at all.'  

HAUNTED PLACES IN SOUTH WALES

HAUNTED PLACES IN SOUTH WALES

Miskin Manor Hotel-

Miskin Manor, near Cardiff, dates back to the 10th century and is reputedly haunted by a ghostly lady who appears regularly in the bar area between midnight and 1am. The hotel porter is said to have grown used to her appearances.

Hotel owner Ben Rosenberg believes she was a former resident of the house who is simply following a path between the bar and the drawing room she once regularly walked in life.

“There used to be a staircase where the bar stands today so she is evidently coming from the drawing room and going up the stairs just as she did when she lived here,” he said.

Castell Coch-

Castell Coch was built on the outskirts of Cardiff in 1870 for the wealthiest man in the world, the Marquis of Bute, and designed by architect William Burgess.

It is supposedly haunted by the ghost of a lady who, following the death of her son in nearby woods, died of a broken heart.

Following the death of the Marquis of Bute, Lady Bute continued to live in the castle but was, according to the story, driven out by the constant appearances of the ghostly white lady.

Llancaiach Fawr Manor-

Llancaiach Fawr Manor in Treharris, Merthyr, has been called the most haunted house in South Wales.

“Llancaiach Fawr Manor is one of the spookiest and most atmospheric places I’ve ever been to,” paranormal investigator Phil Wyman has said.

“And when the lights go out and it’s pitch black, there is an overwhelming sense of desolation.”

The story goes that the grand staircase is haunted by two children, who appear then disappear. Several other ghostly children are apparently loose inside the house, their giggling voices clearly audible.

Author of Haunted Wales, Richard Jones, said: “The costumed female guides have long grown used to their aprons falling to the ground at the most inopportune moments when their bows have been untied by invisible impish hands.”

The manor’s kitchen is also said to be haunted by a lady in a white blouse who appears to be baking bread and who is assumed to be the ghost of Mattie, a former housekeeper.

Aberglasney-

Legend has it that in the 1630s a housekeeper at Aberglasney in Llangathen, near Carmarthen, saw five candles floating around the house’s newly plastered “blue room”.

The next morning, five maidservants were found dead in their beds. A charcoal stove, left burning to speed the drying of the plaster, had killed them as they slept.

Over the following centuries, the “corpse candles” became one of Aberglasney’s most abiding legends.

Since the 17th century ownership of the house has changed a number of times.

The phantom of Thomas Phillips, who bought the house in 1803, has apparently appeared to gardeners, ser-vants and tradesmen, while more recently guides have heard his ghostly footsteps.

Builders working on the regeneration of the house have also reported a young girl standing in a corner of the basement, apparently cooking.

It is, however, in Pigeon House Wood at the rear of the property that the most disturbing phenomenon is reported – many visitors sense a feeling of dreadful unease, intensifying as they descend the earthen path until, at the edge of the wood, it is replaced by sudden fear and eerie coldness.

The Skirrid Mountain Inn-

The inn in Llanfihangel, near Abergavenny, dates back to 1110 when John Crowther was sentenced to death for sheep stealing and hanged from a beam of the inn.

The pub also doubled as a courthouse and over the next 800 years 182 felons would meet a similar fate.

The spirits of those executed here are said to often make their presence known in a direct and disturbing manner, including visitors feeling the overwhelming sensation of an invisible noose being slipped around their necks and tightening, leaving marks in the days afterwards.

Newton House-

Newton House in Llandeilo was originally home to the Rhys family’s castle, the ruins of which still loom large over Dinefwr Park.

It is haunted by a “white lady” who is thought to be the wronged wraith of Elinir Cavendish, first cousin of the lady of the house in the 1720s, although some versions of the story say she was her sister.

Tradition maintains that she was being forced to marry a man that she didn’t love and to escape his clutches she sought sanctuary with her family in Dinefwr Park.

Incensed by the rejection, her spurned suitor murdered her in cold blood.

Her ghost has walked the building ever since.

Maes-y-Neuadd Manor-

The sturdy manor in Talsarnau, near Harlech, dates back to the 14th century but today operates as a country house hotel and reportedly boasts one haunted bedroom, the Morfa suite, in which guests can look forward to the enchanting possibility of being lulled into their slumbers by a female phantom of good intentions.

She is thought to be the ghost of a former children’s nursemaid wearing long gown and mobcap. Author Richard Jones said: “Nobody who has seen her has found her to be in the least bit frightening or troublesome, indeed witnesses say that she has a very calming presence and emits an aura that helps them drift into a deep and restful sleep.”

Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse-

The boathouse in Laugharne was the poet’s home for the last four years of his life.

With his widow Caitlin unwilling to live in the boathouse after Thomas’ death, his mother, Florence became the tenant, staying until she died there in 1958.

Her ghost is believed to haunt the house which is now a shrine to the memory of her son.

Staff have often been surprised when opening the premises at the beginning of the day to hear the sound of a chair scraping over the floor upstairs, as though someone has quickly risen from a table to avoid them.

The Robber’s Grave at St Nicholas churchyard-

The grave in Montgomery is that of John Davies, a “melancholy, grief-haunted man” whose past was shrouded in mystery but who in 1819 became the steward on the rundown farm owned by a widow named Morris and her daughter, Jane.

Thanks to his dedication, the fortunes of the business were soon reversed.

But, according to legend, the sudden success angered a local man, Thomas Pearce, who had hoped to benefit from the widow’s misfortune by acquiring the property at a bargain price. Davies also made an enemy of Robert Parker when his fiance Jane Morris abandoned him for Davies.

The two men carried out a violent robbery, leaving behind evidence implicating Davies who found himself charged with highway robbery and sentenced to death.

As the noose was tied around his neck he shouted: “If I am innocent, the grass, for one generation at least, will not cover my grave.”

And today, the story says bare patches can still be seen on the grave and that harm will befall anyone who attempts to tend it.