The Paranormal Database

Walking Woman

Location: Basingstoke (Hampshire) - Red Lion Hotel
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1989 - 1995
Further Comments: Former manager Robert Rutherford claimed that he had encountered a ghostly woman wearing a ruffled dress multiple times while working at the hotel. Cleaning staff would also encounter the figure sitting on beds.

Shawled Woman

Location: Port Glasgow (Inverclyde) - Private residence near Bogston station
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: September 2000
Further Comments: A visitor to this home briefly encountered a woman dressed in traditional Scottish fishwife attire standing over their newborn child. When the woman realised she had been spotted, she held out her hands before vanishing. When asked, the owner of the property said that they had seen and heard things on the site, and felt the presence looked after them.

Bump

Location: Gateshead (Tyne and Wear) - Dead Man's Arch (former site of Bensham Station)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 01 January (reoccurring), midnight
Further Comments: A local piece of folklore says a train driver took his life under the arch. If one walks along the footpath at midnight on New Year's Day, you can feel the bump of a body against your own.

Dead Alien

Location: Gateshead (Tyne and Wear) - Hedley Street and St Cuthbert's Church
Type: UFO
Date / Time: Spring 1940
Further Comments: Five-year-old Robert Hall, together with other children, encountered several strange figures shortly after observing an egg-shaped flying object. One of the figures resembled a short bigfoot, while another had a skeletal body and bat wings. After taking a sample of Robert's blood, the figures left. The following day, a short 'grey'-like alien appeared to Robert. The boy's screams brought his uncle to the scene, who killed the alien with a shovel. A local story says the alien's body is buried in a nearby churchyard (or concealed within a secret room).

Luck of Iford

Location: Bradford on Avon (Wiltshire) - Iford Manor
Type: Legend
Date / Time: Luck still present, humming in 1970s
Further Comments: A copy of the Geneva Bible is also known as the Luck of Iford. It was said that if the book were removed from the manor, the building would fall into the nearby River Frome. Other strange stories from the site include sound of a young person humming and quiet whispers heard in the building. One witness briefly spotted a ghostly blonde-haired girl with a blue dress.

Knocking

Location: Rawdon (Yorkshire) - Rawdon Baptist College
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: August 1909
Further Comments: The handful of summertime residents were disturbed during the day and night by knocking from within the walls. Items such as potted plants were moved without explanation.

Dog Killer

Location: Tayinloan (Argyll and Bute) - Old Largie Castle (demolished 1958)
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: The Brownie that lurked around this area would split its time between the castle and the MacDonald house on Cara Island. The entity could be quite vicious, killing dogs that had been left in the house at night and slapping visitors who disrespected the castle, although it would also tidy the site and secure the cattle.

Unclothed Man

Location: Tiree (Argyll and Bute) - Unknown farm on the west of the island
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: Cattle left overnight were looked after by a Brownie that remained invisible to moral eyes. A seer investigated and reported spotting an unclothed man looking after the cows. To show his gratitude, the seer left a gift of tartan trousers and shoes; the Brownie put on the clothing and left the island.

Goat Man

Location: Bridge of Orchy (Argyll and Bute) - Ben Doran
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: An Urisk banished to the mountain by a saint has remained here since and may lurk in a nearby waterfall.

Milk Snatcher

Location: Cara Island (Argyll and Bute) - Old MacDonald house
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: The brownie that took up residence in the MacDonald's home would steal their milk and occasionally create loud noises. The entity had a reputation for hating any Campbells and would also spend time at Largie Castle in Tayinloan.

Frost

Location: Loch Sloy (Argyll and Bute) - Glen located south of the loch
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: A traveller passing through the area heard two Urisk calling out to each other, one shouting 'Frost', the other responding 'Kick frost'.

Gruagach

Location: Isle of Skye (Highland) - Small island east of Skye, was known as Troda?
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: Not much is known about the hairy fairy that once made its home on this island

Mary's Urisk

Location: Lochaber (Highland) - Waterfall in Glen Maili
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: A voyeuristic Urisk would visit this area and watch a lady named Mary as she worked her spinning wheel. A man who wanted to see the creature for himself donned Mary's clothing but failed to fool the Urisk (that declared 'I see your beard').

Wish Granter

Location: Eilean Anabuich (Outer Hebrides) - Coast
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A local man caught a mermaid on the rocks, only releasing the creature after she agreed to grant three wishes. One of the wishes ensured the man became a skilled doctor, another granted the gift of prophecy, but the third wish, to become a great singer, apparently failed.

Long Haired Woman

Location: Brae (Shetland) - Fields in the area, and stone (once?) known as MacQueen's Big Rock
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: The long-haired female fairy that followed herds of cattle around the island would be appeased with milk poured into a large rock.

Trampling

Location: Tobermory (Argyll and Bute) - Farm in the area
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: The sounds of trampling could be heard coming from the barn after dark, even though all livestock would sleep in the byre. Any equipment left in the barn would be found scattered around the area. While today this would likely be blamed on a poltergeist (if not something much more mundane), locals allocated the damage to a Glaistig.

Q & A

Location: Heanish, Tiree (Argyll and Bute) - Unidentified farm
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Mid / late eighteenth century
Further Comments: Wanting to know why his cows left their enclosure every night, a farmer concealed himself in a nearby hut. The farmer claimed to have encountered a Glaistig and that she answered a series of his questions, although her instructions on how to dodge military conscription failed.

Milk Hole

Location: Iona, Mull (Argyll and Bute) - Rocks on the common land
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: A Glaistig that lived in the rocks would have fresh milk left out nightly for her. The entity also lay the curse that no woman by the name of Livingstone could kindle a fire at dinner time, after the Glaistig's clothing was damaged by a fire set by a woman named Livingstone.

The Bald Girl has Slept

Location: Isle of Ulva (Argyll and Bute) - Ardnacallich (a home of the Macquaries)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The Glaistig of this island could be heard crying out 'The bald girl has slept! The bald girl has slept!'.

Glaistig

Location: Mull (Argyll and Bute) - Ross of Mull
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: The Glaistig that haunted this area became quite active. The entity would hound a fisherman by asking for spare fish, taunt a farmer by claiming a cow had escaped, and take the form of a white horse to cause other mischief.

Gruagach Attack

Location: Scorrybreac (aka Scorrybrec), Isle of Skye (Highland) - Cowshed in the area (likely no longer standing)
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: A long haired, fairy-like creature, the Gruagach in this area entertained itself by releasing cattle at night and could be heard laughing as farmers awoke to sort out the mess. The Gruagach killed one woman after she cursed its antics.

Murdered Glaistig

Location: The Knap, aka the Lump (opposite Shuna Island) (Argyll and Bute) - Building in the area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The Glaistig who resided in this area died after being stabbed by a member of Clan MacMillan who she had grabbed and interrogated.

Gruagach

Location: Tiree (Argyll and Bute) - Island House
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: Said to manifest as a little woman with long yellow hair, this paranormal entity could be heard tidying the site before the arrival of guests (even if they were surprise visitors). The Gruagach would hit servants who did not work hard enough.

A ghostly black hound sitting in the mist.

Death Prediction

Location: Ardura, Mull (Argyll and Bute) - Area around Lochbuie House
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: 1909
Further Comments: The black dog around this area would warn of impending death. One version of the story says that dog carried a puppy on the back of its head. In 1909, Dr MacDonald spotted the dog while treating chief Murdoch Gillian MacLaine - his patient died soon after.

Short Woman

Location: Baugh, Tiree (Argyll and Bute) - Farm
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: More often heard than seen, when this Glaistig did manifest, she took the form of a very short woman with golden hair that came down to her heels. The entity left after being beaten over the head with a stick.

Foot

Location: Bridge of Orchy (Argyll and Bute) - Eas Urchaidh (waterfall)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A Glaistig lived behind this waterfall, her foot sticking out just enough to split the falling water into two distinct streams. A member of the Campbell family tried to grab the entity but she escaped, cursing the clan never to have a baby born north of her home.

Weaver Beater

Location: Craignish (Argyll and Bute) - Unknown stream in the area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A weaver carrying home a roll of cloth at night found himself attacked by a Glaistig. The phantom pounced as the weaver crossed a stream, and the man found himself remorselessly beaten with his own cloth until dawn.

White Haired Woman

Location: Isle of Coll (Argyll and Bute) - Old Breacacha Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre twentieth century
Further Comments: The Glaistig which lived in the castle would help make ready the property for visitors, although had a reputation for mistreating strangers on the site. Visitors who left their rooms at night would be unable to find their way back to bed.

Old postcard of Dunollie Castle, also known as Dunolly Castle.

Piper

Location: Oban (Argyll and Bute) - Dunollie Castle, aka Dunolly Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1971
Further Comments: This ghostly, semi-transparent piper appeared before half a dozen witnesses visiting the castle grounds. Folklore says another entity, a Glaistig, also haunted the site. She would be seen moving towards the castle in the evening and would sweep the floors at night.

Barn Builder

Location: Lochaber (Highland) - Exact area unknown, but once called Lianachan
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A member of the Kennedy family caught a Glaistig and refused to release her until she built a stone house. The Glaistig completed the task overnight, and as she left cursed the Kennedy bloodline so they would grow like rushes but wither like ferns.

Echo

Location: Mallaig (Highland) - Castle close to Mallaig, possibly Castle Tioram
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: If one called out 'Are you in, maiden?' close to the castle ruins, a voice would then be heard emerging from the building, repeating any phrase shouted by visitors.

Herder

Location: Morvern (aka Morven) (Highland) - Mountainside known as Garlios
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The area became home to a Glaistig which specialised in herding sheep and cattle. The entity took the form of a small but extraordinarily strong woman and lived in a yew tree.

Long Haired Woman

Location: Sleat, Isle of Skye (Highland) - Glaistig stone near Knock Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Perhaps different to the entity that haunted the nearby castle, this Glaistig would manifest as a young woman with long hair and would be appeased with milk that would be left at the stone.

Green Lady

Location: Sleat, Isle of Skye (Highland) - Knock Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This Glaistig would manifest as a happy figure prior to good news arriving, and weep as a warning to incoming bad news.

Shepherd Botherer

Location: Strathglass (Highland) - Unknown MacAlastair house in the area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A Gruagach that haunted this house remained unseen, although she could be heard in the kitchen at night. The entity took a 'liking' to a shepherd who worked nearby; his piled clothing would be moved and his food hidden, the laughter of the Gruagach occasionally heard nearby.

Metal Worker

Location: Strontian (Highland) - Smithy (no longer present)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre 1860
Further Comments: The village smith grew tired of the strange bangs and crashes that plagued his building at night, so one day took his hammer and hid until night fell. He a Glaistig with a tame chicken arrived and began to use his tools; the smith caught the chicken but released the creature on the provision that the Glaistig ceased using his smith.

Sounds of a Running Battle

Location: Derby (Derbyshire) - Alvaston area, near the castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Twentieth century and 2009
Further Comments: Three girls reported listening to the sounds of a small battle here in the early twentieth century - gunfire, galloping horses, and men shouting. Four people also heard the sounds while out late at night during the 1980s, and two brothers passing through the area in 2009.

Portrait of Charlotte Bronte, by George Richmond.

White Lady

Location: Hathersage (Derbyshire) - Vicarage
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 28 February (reoccurring)
Further Comments: Even though the phantom white lady has not been observed for around one hundred years, she still opens a single door on one night per annum. A 1927 newspaper report claimed the figure to be Charlotte Bronte and that the appearance upset the family's dog, although the vicar denied the story.

Bruno Hauptmann

Location: NW1 (possible) (Greater London) - Bakerloo Line
Type: Other
Date / Time: 1983
Further Comments: A photograph of a ghostly figure taken by Karen Collett while travelling on the Bakerloo Line later transpired to be the waxwork figure of Bruno Hauptmann, although it is still unclear how Hauptmann's form (with added bolts of lightning) managed to manifest on the photograph.

Sea Captain

Location: Outer London: Bromley (Greater London) - United Services Club
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1980s
Further Comments: An old sea captain reputedly haunts this site, possibly from the building's time as a post First World War military hospital.

Glowing Woman

Location: Crabbe (Jersey) - Field
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1991
Further Comments: A small group of people walking through the area spotted a glowing grey woman standing on a grass verge. The figure wore flowery clothing under a gown and showed no reaction when one of the group called out 'hello'. The witnesses panicked and fled.

Cold Spot

Location: Edinburgh (Lothian) - Bank of Scotland, George Street
Type: Poltergeist
Date / Time: Circa January 1994
Further Comments: Two cleaners working alone in this building left the site after encountering disembodied footsteps, the sound of doors opening and closing, and an unnaturally cold room that enabled one witness to see their breath. A door that only the cleaners could access to had been deadbolted, even though none of the crew had touched it. One of the cleaners would later talk to a member of staff who said strange things happen on the site at night.

Jennet

Location: Worksop (Nottinghamshire) - Clumber Park
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: December 2022
Further Comments: Jennet's ghost is sometimes seen walking the park, dissipating into mist if approached. She wears a long grey coat, or a brown cloak. A couple claimed to have encountered and filmed the ghost in 2022.

Large Hound

Location: Blairgowrie (Perth and Kinross) - A93 north of the town
Type: Shuck
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This phantom dog, said to be huge, patrols the road. Its presence makes normal dogs nervous and horses shy. One story says to stare into the creature's eyes three times will result in death.

Cat

Location: Burton on Trent (Staffordshire) - Bass museum (no longer open)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Twenty-first century
Further Comments: Seen by members of staff and visitors, a ghostly cat lurked around the ground floor and the recreation of an Edwardian bar.

Druid's Head pub, Brighton.

Hooded Figure

Location: Brighton (Sussex) - Druid's Head public house, Market Street
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1970s (figure), 31 October 2015 (picture frame)
Further Comments: Always seen from the corner of one's eye, a good description of this spirit was never forthcoming (although it may be the ghost of a smuggler who died after tripping on the staircase in the basement). However, another ghost in the building moves slightly slower - a woman in a red dress has been seen on one occasion in vicinity of the main bar. In 2015 a picture frame flew off a pillar and struck a visitor on the back; no one was injured and the frame did not break.

Band Music

Location: Hove (Sussex) - Western Lawns Bandstand (no longer standing, area redeveloped in 1968)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Pre 1968
Further Comments: Prior to the area being redeveloped, the bandstand fell into disrepair, although people would still hear music coming from the abandoned area.

Boiler Suited Man

Location: Springwell (Tyne and Wear) - Bowes Railway Museum
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Thought to have been killed in an accident, a phantom man wearing a boiler suit and flat cap is said to lurk in the area. Stones are occasionally thrown by unseen hands.

Shaking Wardrobe

Location: Hull (Yorkshire) - Private residence
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 1980 - 2000
Further Comments: Friends and family were reported to have witnessed figures reflected in mirrors and objects that moved unaided by human hand. A wardrobe took to violently shaking and was chained shut by a family member.

Shadow

Location: Lough (Lincolnshire) - Private residence, Upgate area
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 2007
Further Comments: The resident in this building witnessed a shadowy figure pass the bedroom door on one occasion, and heard a voice calling their name from an empty part of the building. Visitors to the building would feel uncomfortable.