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Here we publish extracts taken from Charles Thomson’s book ‘Haunted Kincardneshire’.
Each story has been carefully selected from the author’s supernatural files.
Read about:
The Man with Amazing Sixth Sense.
The Phantoms of Hallgreen Castle.
A Farm Servants Haunted Cottage at the Banff hill, Arbuthnott.
The Haunted House in Kirkburn, Bervie.
Although places remain accurate, at people’s own requests to remain anonymous, names have been changed to honour these agreements.
Never the less the stories remain remarkable, each one offering a spine chilling twist from The Haunted North East of Scotland.
We hope that you enjoy reading these stories.
(Yes truth is sometimes stranger than fiction.)
Publishers note: If you decide to visit any of these haunted locations, please respect peoples privacy.
Haunted Banff Hill
Banff hill, situated in Arbuthnott Estate half way between Bervie and Fordoun has had more than its fair share of ghostly activity.
The Duguid family moved into Banff hill October 1969 where Mr. Duguid gained employment as a farm servant on Lord Arbuthnott’s estate.
When Mr. Duguid attended to his duties on the land, and his young son Sam was at Arbuthnott Primary School, Mrs. Duguid was left alone in Banffhill to attend to her own tasks.
Although Banff hill is secluded Mrs. Duguid never felt alone. There was a presence there, watching over her, moving around from room to room with her, until her feelings became so strong that it felt as though the invisible presence actually wanted to help her on her daily chores.
More activity began to occur at Banff hill when a heavy door in the hallway began to open and close of its own accord. On inspection no draughts were found to have caused this. Indeed some force was needed to open and close the door.
Mrs Duguid also noticed that during this activity the hallway was ice cold.
On inspection another weird sensation took over Mrs Duguid, one that felt as though, as she describes. A damp cobweb brushed across my face, and when I neared the door, smelt an instant stench of a rotted corpse.
Months would pass by, with what seemed like quietness, and the Duguid family were able to settle into a routine.
But the Banff hill spirit had other ideas.
One evening whilst Mrs Duguid was preparing tea, she felt a tap on her shoulder, and true to the legend of Banff hill, when she turned around there was no-one there.
In fact the whole house at the time, apart from Mrs Duguid and the Banff hill ghost was empty.
Events took another turn when the Duguid’s son Sam was wakened from his sleep when he felt a presence sitting at the bottom of his bed. Once again there was no physical person there.
More paranormal events were to happen when young Sam was once again woken by what he describes as being like a powerful searchlight that omitted intense white light shone into his bedroom window, but it cast no beam inside his room, whilst the other window remained normal, where he could see the branches of the trees swaying in the moonlight.
The haunting ceased as quickly as it had begun.
The Duguids eventually moved out of Banffhill September 1980.
New tenants moved into Banff hill and all was well, until one night the heavy door in their hallway began to open and close.
Note:(Names have been altered for the persons involved to remain anonymous due to their own wishes. Actual events and happenings remain accurate.)
The Haunting at Kirkburn. Bervie.
Strange happenings were first noticed during renovations at number 15 Kirkburn, Bervie.
Light bulbs would go out and turn black, then suddenly start to work again.
Family pets quickly vacated rooms as the temperature mysteriously dropped to freezing.
Thorough checks were carried out of the premises, including wiring etc but no defects were found that could have caused any of the happenings.
On numerous occasions when the premises were empty, apart from the owner, loud thuds could be heard coming from the upper staircase of the house, as if someone was walking on top of bare floorboards when this part of the house was fully carpeted.
When guests stayed over in the attic, it was claimed that they felt as though someone was sitting at the bottom of the mattress but when they looked up there was no one there.
Once again with the heating full on the room was freezing.
TV’s would suddenly be turned on in the middle of the night by invisible hands, and once again when checked they were found to be sound.
There was a period of quietness when nothing out of the ordinary happened at Kirkburn, but that was soon to change.
The footsteps re occurred, soon developing into thumps that could be heard pacing across the living room ceiling.
On two separate occasions when visitors arrived at Kirkburn, they asked who the little blonde haired girl was looking out of the attic window
The owner of the property at the time was alone in the house, but decided to inspect the attic anyway just to find it empty.
All seemed normal, apart from the temperature that once again was freezing.
At nights the phantom activity increased, not only with the footsteps, but also with the normally stiff attic door somehow managing to open and close on its own accord.
Once again it was observed that none of the family pets were ever present during this activity.
Things really started to hot up when the owner decided to consult the ouija board. A name kept appearing. Jack of the building.
Jack spelled out that he meant no harm to the owner, along with other personal information. (The owner requested that I do not publish this information.)
Jack also informed the owner that there was a tunnel that led from the Bervie Cemetry directly beneath what is now the living room of 15 Kirkburn.
After inspection this information turned out to be absolutely accurate, and the tunnel was in fact a drainage system.
Jack of the Building continued with his antics right up until the owner moved to another location.
Today the house has had several new owners.
Does Jack of the Building still roam around?
As for the little girl who appeared at the attic window. That one still remains a mystery.
Muchalls Castle
Muchalls Castle lies approximately 5 miles north of Stonehaven. And even though it lies about 1 mile inland, it commands great views over the North Sea.
The Castle is classed as one of the baronial antiquities of Scotland.
The castle built in 1619, is said to be haunted by the ghost of a girl dressed in green, although some reports have clearly stated that she has been seen wearing yellow. Whatever the colour of her attire one thing is certain; she has frequently visited the castle and has been seen over the years right up to modern times.
The story of the haunting concerns an underground passageway that leads from the castle to the sea. In olden days smugglers used the passageway and the daughter of the house had a boyfriend on one of the ships that ventured to and from the Continent in pursuit of their illegal activities. One day, having sighted her boyfriends vessel out to sea, she rushed to the underground passageway to be there to meet him when he rowed into the sea-cave. However, she fell into the water and was washed out to sea by the strong tide and her body was discovered the following day.
A weekend guest at Muchalls Castle in 1906 was passing one of the bedrooms when he saw through the open door the figure of a young girl dressed in a yellowish frock, touching up her hair in front of a mirror. Assuming that she was a fellow guest at the castle he said that he thought she would be down for dinner in a few minutes, only to be told that he was the only visitor. Another visitor, standing in front of a mirror, adding the final touches to her hairstyle, saw the same girl again in the 1970’s.
Almost certainly she was re-enacting her last preparations before rushing down to the underground passageway to meet her returning boyfriend on that fateful day so many years ago.
Crathes Castle.
This early 17th century castle was built for the Burnet Family and it took nearly 40 years before it was finally ready to be lived in. It is haunted by the ghost of a Green Lady, who particularly haunts the room known as the Green Ladys Room.
It is thought that the Green Lady could be the ghost of one of the Burnet Familys daughters, who in the early 1700s brought disgrace upon the family by giving birth to an illegitimate child, the father of whom was the local gillie. He was dismissed from his job and ordered away from the local area but there is more of a mystery surrounding the girl and her child because they simply vanished from the face of the earth, conveniently to protect the good name of the family.
In the middle of the 19th century, whilst modernisation work was being carried out at the castle, the skeleton of a woman and a young baby were found together under a hearthstone and this added weight to the feeling that mother and child had been murdered by their own family. It is known that in the 18th century the Burnet Family were absolutely terrified of ghosts, especially, one is forced to assume, when the ghosts were created by their own actions.
In the meantime the Green Lady is still a regular visitor to the castle although in these days she is heard more than she is seen. When she is seen she is normally observed holding her baby in her arms, mainly in the Green Lady Room, but also near the old fireplace where their pitiful remains were to be discovered 150 years after their disappearance. She is normally seen immediately prior to the death of a member of the Burnet Family or when there are grave troubles imminent.
Hallgreen Castle
Overlooking Bervie Bay, Hallgreen Castle stands proud.
When I arrived the rain was lashing against my face, and felt like pin pricks pushing hard into my skin.
Great rolls of thunder echoed above my head as I was invited into Hallgreen’s inner walls.
This was actually the second visit to Hallgreen. The first being some years earlier when the place was a ruin and over run with weeds. The only guests being birds who had flown into its roofless shell.
Now restored to its former glory Hallgreen has given up some of her secrets. One being a secret passage and staircase that leads from the dungeon to the great hall said to be haunted by a cloaked figure dubbed ‘The Watcher.’
There was certainly a cold feeling here that made me feel as though I was being watched by cold staring eyes.
Outside the thunder exploded and made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. Something or someone brushed past me in the now freezing atmosphere.
Was it The Watcher making his presence felt? Who-ever or whatever left me in no doubt that it was a bad spirit that left me with bad heavy feelings.
It is also said that the remains of a child lies at the bottom of one of the old wells. On still nights a child’s sobbing has been heard on several occasions by separate people. One resident of Bervie who was walking his dog told me that he also heard the sobbing of a child and noticed that his dog acted weird during this particular occurrence.
If this is not enough there are also stories that Hallgreen is also haunted by two ghostly servant girls who regularly appear in the castle’s small vaulted 14th century kitchen.
Even the experts on ghostly phenomena have been baffled by Hallgreen’s hauntings.
It is certainly at the top of my list of haunted places, and remains there to this day.
The Man with Amazing Sixth Sense.
Whilst working for the local council, one of my jobs was to cut grass at among others, The Kirk of Saint Ternan, Arbuthnott and the romantic old Kinneff Church.
It was on such an occasion that the following story was told to me.
Tea break 2.00 pm. Tuesday.
Douglas Salmon had been working for the local council for some ten years and had a remarkable knowledge of the history of the various kirks on his route.
Douglas also possessed, rare in this present day, a heart of gold. He would spread rose petals around graves that he had dug, and before the mourners arrived he would already have the grave surrounded with bouquets of flowers.
Douglas along with two workmates was sent to dig a grave at Portlethen Cemetery. No mean feat in itself, as the ground is so hard a pneumatic drill would find its place appreciated.
After a day of heavy digging, the grave was finally made ready for the funeral.
That night Douglas went to bed, exhausted after his day’s labours.
At 2am Douglas had a dream of dreams when he was visited by an old woman with white hair who told him that it was indeed her grave that he and his workmates had dug, further informing him that it was dug in the wrong location.
Even more, she told him exactly where she should be laid to rest.
At first light Douglas awoke his wife and told her of his dream detail by detail.
Douglas decided not to tell his workmates of his fantastic dream, but to check out the plan of the cemetery again, and to his amazement found that the old woman in his dream had in fact been accurate in every detail and the mistake was quickly rectified.
Another dream, as Douglas refers to them was when yet another woman appeared to him and explained that after her husbands passing she intended to carry out his final wishes of cremation, but with a twist all of her own, for the strange woman had decided to place her husbands ashes inside an egg timer.
One can only imagine Douglas’s reaction when approximately three months after his dream, there right in front of his eyes in an newspaper was an article concerning an English woman who had her husbands ashes placed inside an egg timer.
Douglas has had more experiences, but for the moment our tea break had long since expired.
OTHER STORIES
Periwinkle Den
By
Charles Thomson.
Welcome to the magic of Periwinkle Den. Visit The Owl Master's tree. Sit on the bench at Beaver Rock and soak up Periwinkle's unique beauty.
The Bath of Dreams is here where the rainbows rest with their amazing colours, and of course The Jigsaws live here with all their friends.
If you look hard enough, you will find their love heart table; see the waterfall where The Jigsaws play.
See the magic start to unfold before your very eyes.
It is truly amazing, and you never know if you are very quiet, who knows, you might even find where Dream, Asia, Tuckle and Sparkle live.
But remember, they are a shy little clan. Sccch!
The Story of the Stars.
© Seas Publishings (UK)
Introduction:
Periwinkle Den is a very special place, and at night it is no exception.
Deer come down from the woods to drink undisturbed at the burn, rabbits scuttle and jump happily in the fields by the light of the moon, birds chirp their good-nights from their branches as Periwinkle relaxes under the twinkling stars of Heaven.
The jigsaws, Asia, Dream, Tuckle and Sparkle were all sitting at the bath of dreams waiting for the stars to appear with three of their field mouse friends Bonzo, Jude and Morrow.
Not long now, said Sparkle as they looked up towards the heavens and watched as the sun gently disappeared below the horizon to the sounds of the cricket's songs.
I love it here at night, said Asia who was waiting patiently for the first star to appear.
Can you tell us the story of the stars Tuckle? Bonzo asked.
Go on Tuckle, Sparkle encouraged, who also liked listening to a good story, especially when it was about the legends of the stars.
Yes go on Tuckle, said Dram who was also fond of a sky story.
Oh, all right then, Tuckle said feeling pleased with himself that they had obviously enjoyed his stories of the past, then continued.
The sky angel is the first of the summer stars to appear. She sits between Venus and Saturn guarding the heavens, and is the most beautiful of the star clusters. It is said that she is the wisest angel in the whole universe.
There she is now, said Asia excitedly, as they all gazed up to see the angel shining in all her glory.
She is the one that gave the colours to the rainbows, said Tuckle.
Do the colours mean anything? Jude asked.
Why sure they do, said Tuckle. Red is the first colour the angel gave to the rainbows. It's the sign of birth, and the symbol of energy.
Enegy, like the deer in Dunnottar Woods, said Asia excitedly.
Yes that's it, said Tuckle, and continued.
The second clour she gave the rainbows was orange. This colour is for luck.
Lucky orange, said Morrow, loving every bit of Tuckle's stoy.
Yellow is for confidence, and green refers to nature and Periwinkle Den. Blue, my favourite colour is for water, tranquillity and wisdom. Pink is soothing, given by the fairest of hands, and finally violet, she gave from her heart, and means healing and peace.
Look at her now, she's smiling down on us, said Dream who was looking up at the angel in the sky.
She likes your story, said Jude.
I know a poem about a rainbow, said Tuckle. Would you like to hear it?
Oh yes, said Morrow.
Little rainbow, little rainbow, high up in the sky. From your brilliant set of colours, oh I wish that I could fly.
They all clapped when Tuckle had finished his rainbow poem.
Are we living in the centre of the universe Tuckle? Bonzo asked.
There are seven colours to the rainbow Bonzo. One thing I know for sure is that Periwinkle Den is in seventh heaven.
Look, look, said Dream, hardly able to believe his own eyes.
It's The Milky Way, Tuckle said in disbelief.
They all watched in awe as The Milky Way came streaming down, leaving spectacular effects in the sky's starry canvas.
This is one of the best nights of our lives, said Morrow.
Everything is truly related, said Jude. And the colours are the world's friends.
It is not finished yet, said Tuckle. Look.
The sky lit up, sparkling with magic as the angel was joined by her siblings, radiating even more beauty and colour into the evening's sky.
This is like a dream, said Sparkle as he watched in amazement.
The stars started to swirl and play, jumping over one another and dancing with delight.
Right here in Periwinkle Den, said Asia. In the heart of the universe.
This is the best night of our lives, said Morrow.
They all applauded and thanked Tuckle for sharing with them his story of the stars.
- The Jigsaws.
© Seas Productions 2002
Introduction:
Let me introduce you to Periwinkle Den where The Jigsaws, Dream, Asia, Tuckle and Sparkle all live in the magic of Dunnottar Woods
(approx 1 mile from Stonehaven town centre)
Visit the actual story location i.e.: The Shell Hoose, Dunnottar Gardens, The Secret Burn, The Wooden Bridge in Periwinkle Den itself, Gallows Hill, and be taken in by the tranquillity of the magical den.
The stars at night truly set off Periwinkle’s immortal qualities.
Seeing is only part of the dream.
Dedicated to my very special family: Fiona, John, Jane, Fairy, Little Fish and Sean (The Pon Man)
This is one of the many adventures of a strange little clan called the Jigsaws. They live in a very small part of Dunnottar Woods called Periwinkle Den. Maybe you’ve been there.
How would you like to come on an adventure and meet Sparkle, Dream, Asia and Tuckle? The Jigsaws.
The Expedition.
It’s an exciting day in Periwinkle Den. The Jigsaws are getting ready for an expedition.
Tuckle was filling his backpack singing Foldie woe doe, on an expedition we go,packing my rucksack to carry on my back , foldie woe doe.
Are you ready? Asked Asia.
Just about, said Tuckle, pass me the bluebell syrup and that glow-light please.
We’ll be back before dark Tuckle, said Asia. You don’t need to take all that stuff!
It never hurts to be well prepared Asia, you never know what might happen.
Oohh Tuckle!! Groaned Asia as she handed the things over and peeked in the backpack..
You’ll never lift that thing, never mind carry it for miles.
Of course I will, I’ve got muscles, said Tuckle stretching his arms through the straps and trying to balance the weight.
There see.
Asia watched as Tuckle wobbled back and forward before falling ‘smack’ flat on his bum.
Don’t stand there grinning, give me a help up.
Asia tried to hold in her laugh and bent to help Tuckle to his feet.
We’ll have to empty some out and put in into my backpack, said Asia.
Sparkle and Dream were last as usual, it was a tough job getting them out of their fern blankets in the morning.
Good morning, said Dream Are we ready, the world awaits us.
Is Squirrel coming? He can see the world from way up high, asked Sparkle.
We'll pick him up on the way, Tuckle replied, full of excitement.
Right, off we go, everyone out, Asia said.
Foldie woe doe, oh foldie woe doe, it's off on an expedition we go, foldie woe doe. They all sang as they trampled down the path where they met their friend Squirrel.
We're off on an expedition, said Tuckle. Would you like to come with us?
Oh yes, that sounds very exciting. Replied Squirrel as he jumped about the path.
The sun began to shine through the trees as they made their way further along the paths in Dunnottar woods.
Squirrel ran ahead darting back and forward and up and down trees.
Look, cried Tuckle, pointing in front to the biggest fattest tree they had ever seen. Just look at the size of that, it must be the king tree.
Don't be silly Tuckle, laughed Asia. You don't get king trees.
Yes you do, huffed Tuckle. I'm going to take a look.
Dream and Sparkle followed on then stopped suddenly before the tree.
Come on you two, shouted Tuckle.
Dream looked at Sparkle and then to the top of the tree.
Asia, come and see this. Look up there.
Asia turned and walked back towards them peering up at the sky as she went.
That's holding the clouds up.Sparkle said.
What!
That tree is holding the clouds up, look see how it's arms stretch to stop it falling down on us, said Dream.
Oh yes, you're right. I never thought of it before, but that must be it, that's how the clouds don't fall down. You're so clever Dream, come on, let's tell Squirrel and Tuckle.
Asia ran back down the path to tell them.
Tuckle sat under the tree watching some fireflies playing with the grass.
Where's Squirrel? Asked Asia.
He's climbing to the top of the tree, Tuckle replied. He thinks it might tell him something.
The tree's holding up the clouds Tuckle. Look, see right up there at the top, his arms are holding the cloud so it doesn't fall down. Isn't that good, and so nice of him. Sighed Asia.
Tuckle studied the tree for a moment. I never knew that, golly, I thought trees were just there, you know not doing anything, and now, well there just so, so needed.
Oh me gosh, oh me gosh, where's my notebook? I've got to get this down.
Wayhey. Asia, Tuckle, look over there. Come on, come on. Hurry, hurry, hurry, over here, over here. Shouted Squirrel as he scampered down the path.
Everyone started to run after Squirrel to see what was going on.
Asia stopped suddenly and gasped. Wow!
Dream skidded behind her, then Sparkle and Tuckle not looking, banged straight into them.
Ouch, boof, ahh! Tuckle. They cried.
Sorry. Tuckle said. Forgot to stop.
It's a giant's bath. Dream said in amazement.
No, it's not, said Asia. It's a water, eh, a water, ooh. A waterfall, that's it. I seen one in a picture book once. Yes that's what it is, a waterfall.
That's right, said Tuckle, You're perfectly right Asia, that's what it is.
Yeah right Tuckle. Sparkle replied shaking his head.
You knew that of course.
Come on. Lets go surfing, Dream suggested as they all made their way down to the sparkling water.
Picking the best place to picnic they took of their backpacks and began to search around for something to surf on. Tuckle found a piece of bark, while Sparkle, Dream and Asia used leaves that grew beside the water.
Let's have a race. Sparkle shouted. First one to the other side's the winner.
All right. They all cried and got into the water.
Wait a minute, said Squirrel. I'm not ready yet.
Come on then, hurry up. Sighed Dream impatiently.
Squirrel came out from behind the tree wobbling on his chestnuts, but he had something hiding in his hands. Two long reeds dangled down his arms and seemed to move now and again.
What's that? Asia asked.
Ah ah, not telling, wait and see, wait and see, said Squirrel.
Hurry up Squirrel. Sparkle said. I want to show you lot what a fish I am in water.
Oh sure, said Dream. I'm going to beat you.
I don't think so. Tuckle cried. I'm going to beat all of you on my super fast thingy bob.
We'll see, shall we. Asia replied.
Squirrel gently lowered himself into the water and tried to stand upright.
Ready, steady, go! Shouted Tuckle. Then they all began moving through the water quite steadily.
Oh Squirrel. Sparkle laughed, I might have guessed.
Asia looked up and began to giggle. Squirrel's secret weapon was Buz-bee, tied to the reeds and flying as fast as he could to the other side of the water. Squirrel holding on to the other end of the reeds was sailing faster than anyone over the sparkling clear water and was just about at the other side.
This is great. Asia, look at me, I'm getting good. Squirrel said showing off with some acrobatics.
Oh yes, this is the life.
Look out Squirrel! There's a stick in the-------.
Too late, Asia said as they rushed to Squirrel's rescue.
Are you all right? Asked Tuckle, dragging Squirrel onto his thingy-m-bob.
Ugh, ugh. Yes I think so, sure, sure. Panted Squirrel.
That was a close one. Sparkle said as they all watched Squirrel's chestnuts glide over the waterfall.
Oh no. Squirrel sighed, I think I made a twig out of myself again.
That's twit Squirrel. T.W.I.T. and yes you did, but never mind. They all laughed, it was fun.
You guys are real friends, and hero's. Squirrel said then shook himself quickly splashing water on everyone.
Oh Squirrel. They all shouted together then sat down to have their picnic and a good laugh at what had turned out to be a fantastic day and a great expedition.
Charles Thomson
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