Ghost Stories

If you’re a resident of Kemnay in Scotland, you may have heard of the legend of Maggie Duffton. She once owned the Burnett Arms Hotel, a quaint hotel dating back to the 1800s. Maggie died in 1931. Her wishes was to have three coffins made. One was to be buried in a family grave in the Kemnay Cemetery. The other two, one containing her body and the other her money, was to be walled up in a vault in the hotel cellar. Seventy-eight years later, Malcolm Edwards, current hotel boss, is determined to prove the legend’s validity once and for all. Along with local stonemason Karl Bisset, the plan is to open up a solid cellar wall. A probe camera was pushed through a tiny wall to reveal a framed photograph and box. The demolition date was set for July 11th. Villagers were even invited to watch the unveiling on a large screen in the bar above. I could not find any word of what happened. Maybe there was nothing to tell. Even though Edwards doesn’t believe in ghosts, he says there is an unknow...

Corpse roads were a means of transporting corpses from remote communities to cemeteries in parts of Europe. Many such roads have disappeared. In spirit lore, spirits, phantasms, wraiths, and fairies traveled the land along special routes. These such routes were believed to be straight and have something in common with ley lines. Mazes and labyrinths would hinder their movements. Spirits would fly along a direct course close to the ground. Any obstructions such as buildings, fences and walls were kept clear to avoid them. The roads would begin or end at cemeteries and thus believed to have similar characteristics to allow ghosts to thrive. Corpses traveled along defined corpse roads to avoid their spirits returning to haunt the living. It was a widespread custom that the feet of the corpse be kept pointing away from the family home on its way to the cemetery. It was believed spirits could not cross running water. Often, corpses were taken over bridges in route to their burial. Other...

Image from weirdus.com The Dark Watchers sounds like the title of some spirit-fueled horror movie. In reality, they are shadowy spirits seen on the Santa Lucia Mountains in California. Their exact origins are unknown. According to legend, the Chumash Indians were among the first to witness their presence and supposedly carried them in their legends and drew them on cave walls (all of which is up for debate). However, in 1937, John Steinbeck described them in his short story "Flight" and poet Robinson Jeffers mentioned the Dark Watchers in his poem "Such Counsels You Gave to Me". It's uncertain if either had a personal encounter with the phantom shadows or only heard about the tale. Their legend has been circulating for years but what are they? These spirits are described as being large in size, but human in shape. Some have reported seeing them in robes and hats and as their name suggest, they are pitch-black in color. Some believe they are only a form o...

The White Lady legend has stories sprinkled in various countries. They supposedly died or suffered trauma in life and are associated with losing or being betrayed by a husband or fiancé. They have white cloudy eyes with short white hair and milky white skin, each of her physical features are very distinguished. She often appears not to be fearful in nature, more like sad. One such variation of this legend is located on a road in Leroy, North Dakota. Legend states on a stretch of road, now known as White Lady Road, a traveling salesman became attracted to a farmer's daughter. He took her for a walk on this remote road for a more intimate encounter. When they came to a bridge over a swampy area, he made his move. Her response to his gesture was anything but what he desired. Instead of walking away, he flew in to a rage and killed her. Today, when people travel on White Lady Road, it is sometimes met with a surprise. During no specific time at night, witnesses have been known to c...

A fair share of haunted establishments have phantom inhabitants which could only be described as “friendly.” The Trocadero Pub in Birmingham, England is among them. Their most well known ghost is former landlord Henry Skinner. The Trocadero Pub began as the Fire Engine House for the Norwich Union Insurance Company (1846, Edge & Avery) in the 1800s. In 1883, it converted into a drinking house known as The Bodega. Henry Skinner served in the military before taking over the upscale wine bar. December 5, 1895 was the last day he stepped in to the building…alive. Henry hired Arthur Allen to work as barman in the Bodega. For whatever reason, he fired him, but that would not be the last time he would see Arthur. The former employee returned with brother Herbert the next day to collect his wages. The men argued over the money. Arthur pulled a gun. The first shot hit the wainscoting. He turned around and the second shot hit him in the chest. Henry didn’t survive his injuries. However, h...

Mistaken identity seems to be a common problem among the paranormal along with inaccurate information. There is a local legend in Elizabethton, Tennessee which falls in to this category. It is said Grannie February haunts the Highland Cemetery. She is seen, sometimes on Halloween, wandering the grounds or heard rocking in her rocking chair. Problem is Grannie February a.k.a. Nannie February is not buried in the mausoleum containing the rocking chair. However, this is not a common case of wrong gravesite. Let’s start at the beginning. Nannie was born in 1838 and married Isaac T. February in 1885. She became a widow at the turn of the century. Her reputation among her neighborhood ventured on a day and night scenario. Many described her as being generous. Nannie invited local kids to play her piano. Her fingers were often stained from breaking open walnuts and digging in her flower bed. She also possessed a fondness for Cadillacs even though it’s not known whether or not she ever dro...

Charles Boyington was a printer who moved from Connecticut to Mobile, Alabama in 1833. He obtained residence in a local boarding house and soon became friends with a man named Nathaniel Frost. Frost was also a printer who suffered from tuberculosis and bouts of melancholy. The two men would walk to the nearby Church Street cemetery to sit, talk and read poems. Boyington received an invitation to a ball to be held at the Alabama Hotel. He spent most of his savings on clothes to be worn that night. After arriving, he became infatuated with a young woman named Rose. She was well liked by the gentlemen but Boyington managed to obtain a dance with her. They fell in love. He attended mass each morning at the Catholic Church she attended. A staff member who worked for her father named Lydia would pass notes between them during the service. While Rose was very much in love with Boyington, her father did not see him as husband material for his daughter. He believed Boyington did not have th...

Ada, Michigan has the legend of the Ada Witch. In the 1800s, a woman would often meet her lover in the wooded area surrounding the cemetery on 2 Mile Road. Her husband somehow learned of her infidelity. One night, enraged with jealousy, he followed her to their rendezvous. Witnessing the lovers embrace, he boiled over with rage and murdered his wife on the spot. Then, diverted his attentions toward her lover. Unfortunately, the two were evenly matched. They fought, significantly injuring one another until they both succumbed to death. A story like this is fairly common, but has raised several questions. Who was this woman? Where is she buried? Is the story even true? Did she really exist? Many who know of the story have taken it upon themselves to try and convert the legend in to fact. There is a grave in Findlay Cemetery visitors and ghost hunters alike thought it belonged to the Ada Witch as she is most often seen there. The headstone, partially broken, is being held in place by tw...

How can a four-year-old girl disappear without a trace? Robert Keyes moved his family to Princeton, Massachusetts in 1751, purchasing 200 acres of land on the South-Eastern slope of the Wachusett Mountain. Four years later on April 14th, his daughter Lucy (4) followed her sisters to Wachusett Lake for some sand. This adventure in the woods would be her last. Lucy never returned home. The townspeople created search parties, drained the lake, but came up empty-handed. Lucy's mother, Martha scoured the woods, calling for her. Night after night, she searched the woods. Her grief overwhelmed her sanity. She died in 1786 never knowing what happened to her daughter. There are many theories as to what happened to Lucy Keyes. There was a letter found after Martha and Robert Keyes had died. This letter was from the Keyes' neighbor Tilly Littlejohn written on his deathbed. He had a quarrel with the Keyes over property line. and resented the family's happiness. When he spotted Lucy...

I've heard several stories concerning cemeteries and tombstones. You would think a legend about a glowing tombstone would be a work of fiction. However, several states including Texas and Missouri have their own version of the Glowing Tombstone. This post concentrates on the Benton, Kentucky version. Legend states an old married couple lived near a cemetery. One night, they heard strange activity coming from a nearby barn and believed it to be cult activity. The old man decided to check out what this cult was doing. When he didn't return, his wife went to search for him. She found him dead, hanging in the barn. Now, his tombstone glows at night to warn others his vengeful spirit is still waiting in the barn for the men who killed him. Supposedly, the house the couple lived in is gone. There were attempts to build a new house on the property for a new couple. However, it mysteriously fell down. The barn still stands. From what I understand, the exact location of the tombst...

The White Lady legend has stories sprinkled in various countries. They supposedly died or suffered trauma in life and are associated with losing or being betrayed by a husband or fiancé. They have white cloudy eyes with short white hair and milky white skin, each of her physical features are very distinguished. She often appears not to be fearful in nature, more like sad. One such variation of this legend is located on a road in Leroy, North Dakota. Legend states on a stretch of road, now known as White Lady Road, a traveling salesman became attracted to a farmer's daughter. He took her for a walk on this remote road for a more intimate encounter. When they came to a bridge over a swampy area, he made his move. Her response to his gesture was anything but what he desired. Instead of walking away, he flew in to a rage and killed her. Today, when people travel on White Lady Road, it is sometimes met with a surprise. During no specific time at night, witnesses have been known to c...

Situated at the end of a dirt road outside of Frankford, Delaware, a graveyard sprinkled with large trees is guarded by an entity called the Catman. His true identity, if he existed at all, is unknown. However, legend states he was a man with cat like features. He used to be a caretaker for this particular graveyard. He would scare off teenagers who chose to party at the cemetery he took care of. When the Catman passed away, he was placed in an above ground tomb in the middle of the graveyard. Many have driven out to this location claiming to have found not only the grave but scratches on the walls of the tomb. Then there are those who have yet to find it. Many of the gravestones date back to the 1800s. Quite a few were buried in early 1918. And for some reason, there are two stones that face the woods at the back of the location. Not sure why. The legend doesn't stop here. Many believe the Catman still keeps an eye on the graveyard. They say if you drive out to the cemetery, ...

Lemon Tree Passage in Newcastle, New South Wales Australia is increasing becoming dangerous thanks to an alleged ghost. Port Stephens police are issuing more and more warnings to motorists driving 180km/h on this stretch of road, attempting to conjure the spirit of a 20-year-old motorcyclist. Supposedly, a 20-year-old Salt Ash man died in a motorcycle accident at Tanilba Bay in Port Stephens. He and his male passenger were riding on Lemon Tree Passage Road when they collided with a four-wheel drive in November 2007. Now, legend dictates, if you travel along Lemon Tree Passage Road at incredibly high speeds, a light will appear in pursuit of people who drive dangerously. More and more people are testing this legend in order to film it for YouTube (do I smell a future episode of Fact or Faked?). There are some who have tested the myth without the excessive speed and have seen the "ghost light". One should use their head. If you travel over a 100km/h to see a ghost light, you...

In Weatherford, Oklahoma sits an isolated bridge of Big Deer Creek near a local university. A real death shrouded in a ghost tale. After deciding to divorce her husband on the grounds of cruelty, Katy DeWitt James and her 14-month-old daughter got on a train en route to Payne County from Custer County. She met a prostitute named Fannie Norton while on her journey and agreed to stay with Norton's brother. On July 8th, 1905, the two women and child left in a buggy declaring their return in three hours. Two hours and fifteen minutes later, Norton returned alone. Katy's father Henry, after weeks of receiving no word from her, hired a private detective to investigate her whereabouts. The detective discovered Fannie Norton took Katy and her daughter supposedly to a town called Hydro. However, their wagon disappeared in a field near Deer Creek for almost an hour. When Norton finally re-emerged, she was alone with the child. No sign of Katy anywhere. She left the child with a boy at ...

If you ever find yourself in a place called Liberty Hill, located in Northern Austin, TX, I suggest you make a stop at Bittick Cemetery. Most likely one grave will stand out among the rest. There are various legends attached to this grave. The general story begins with a black woman named Elizbeth Sampson. In the 17-1800s, this slave was accused of being a witch. However, such an accusation wasn't enough to seal the deal on her death. It is believed Elizbeth stole a horse in order to escape and was captured. As it was done in those days, prisons and juries were tossed away for a good ole hanging. The tree used still stands to this day (supposedly across from the cemetery). After being buried, "Was borne and dide, But remember as yo are passing by, Yo all shall die as well as I" was carved in to her headstone. If you choose to visit her grave, you must bring an offering of some sort. It's believed if you don't, something devastating will happen to you. On Hallowe...

On October 23rd, 1642, the first battle in a war that would last four years commenced. It began as a beautiful Sunday afternoon in England. Between Edgehill and Kineton, the armies of Parliamentarians led by the Earl of Essex and Royalists led by King Charlies I and Prince Rupert of the Rhine met for the first battle in the English Civil War. Foot soldiers on each side shared glances yet not one fired a single bullet. Their hearts raced in anticipation. Who would make the first move? Essex had no intentions of attacking. However, the presence of the king riding from regiment to regiment with his entourage in tow helped provoke the duel. The battle was in full swing well in to the night. The frigged weather provided some wounded soldiers with hope they would survive. By morning, both parties reformed their armies but neither were willing to continue. Essex moved his men on to Warwick Castle and the King's army headed on to London. About 1,000 men lost their lives. There were no winn...

The next location TAPS will be investigating is the Union County Courthouse. However, it is the person who supposedly haunts the building that takes the spotlight. Buried in the nearby First Presbyterian Church cemetery, Hannah Caldwell, the first woman killed in the Revolutionary War, is believed to be still seeking a wrong to be righted. A descendant of the pilgrims, Hannah Ogden married the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, James Caldwell, in 1763. When the Revolutionary War broke out, he, like his ancestors, took a stand against tyranny. As acting chaplain, he joined Colonel Dayton's regimen and accompanied the Jersey brigade to the northern lines. His efforts during the war fighting for American freedom won him the nickname "Fighting Parson" but also may have put his family in danger. As the British neared their Elizabethtown home, James felt they wouldn't dare harm a mother caring for her three younger children. After sending his three older children ...

If you’re a resident of Kemnay, you may have heard of the legend of Maggie Duffton. She once owned the Burnett Arms Hotel, a quaint hotel dating back to the 1800s. Maggie died in 1931. Her wishes was to have three coffins made. One was to be buried in a family grave in the Kemnay Cemetery. The other two, one containing her body and the other her money, was to be walled up in a vault in the hotel cellar. Seventy-eight years later, Malcolm Edwards, current hotel boss, is determined to prove the legend’s validity once and for all. Along with local stonemason Karl Bisset, the plan is to open up a solid cellar wall. A probe camera was pushed through a tiny wall to reveal a framed photograph and box. The demolition date was set for July 11th. Villagers were even invited to watch the unveiling on a large screen in the bar above. I could not find any word of what happened. Maybe there was nothing to tell. Even though Edwards doesn’t believe in ghosts, he says there is an unknown presence i...

Corpse roads were a means of transporting corpses from remote communities to cemeteries in parts of Europe. Many such roads have disappeared. In spirit lore, spirits, phantasms, wraiths, and fairies traveled the land along special routes. These such routes were believed to be straight and have something in common with ley lines. Mazes and labyrinths would hinder their movements. Spirits would fly along a direct course close to the ground. Any obstructions such as buildings, fences and walls were kept clear to avoid them. The roads would begin or end at cemeteries and thus believed to have similar characteristics to allow ghosts to thrive. Corpses traveled along defined corpse roads to avoid their spirits returning to haunt the living. It was a widespread custom that the feet of the corpse be kept pointing away from the family home on its way to the cemetery. It was believed spirits could not cross running water. Often, corpses were taken over bridges in route to their burial. Other...

In May 2008, Christopher Aitchison toured Tantallon Castle in Scotland and took several photographs of the castle. One has recently gained some attention. He captured a figure staring down from the Scottish ruins wearing what appears to be greenish ruffs. But is it a ghost? Tantallon Castle was built in the 1350s by the Earls of Fife. It later passed to William, the 1st Earl of Douglas. For 300 years, the Douglas earls of Angus was one of the most powerful families in Scotland. In 1639, Tantallon was seized by the convenanters. Almost twenty years later, it was attacked by General Monck on behalf of Cromwell, and surrendered after 12 days of bombardment by Monck's cannons. It was left to ruin after this, and eventually sold to the Dalrymples in 1699. Dalrymples descendant left the castle to the UK Government's Office of Works in 1924 and is now in the care of Historic Scotland. Tantallon Castle has a bloody past. That doesn't mean it's haunted. The photo in quest...