Highland Paranormal’s files: 10 ghostly investigations in Inverness and the wider region
To mark Halloween, a team of paranormal investigators have been sharing details about some of the haunted locations on our doorsteps and their own spooky encounters with some of the Highlands' spectres.
Highland Paranormal, which marked its 14th anniversary earlier this month, consists of a dozen investigators, researchers and mediums.
And what follows are just 10 of the short stories from their files:
The Prisoner's Stone in Culloden Woods - investigated July 2024
The infamous Prisoner’s Stone has a gruesome history tied to the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
After the battle 17 captured Jacobites who had been wounded during the fighting were initially confined in the dungeon of Culloden House before being taken to the stone three days later - where they were shot at point blank range and then clubbed. Only one lived to tell the tale, having crawled to safety from the intended spot of his execution.
The team said: "In July this year Craig and Liam made a visit to the stone and decided to take the opportunity to conduct a little session. The result was an emotional connection with a mother looking for her son who had been fighting for Bonnie Prince Charlie."
The Victorian Market, Inverness
The team investigated the market in 2014. The historic building dates back more than 150 years but had to be rebuilt and reopened in the early 1890s after a major fire in 1889.”
“On our visit a Victorian Lamplighter was sensed by our medium,” said the team. “The man seemed unaware of us as he carried on with his work. When the team asked for a sound, a door slammed shut, we were the only people there!”
The Princess of Castle Fraser (October 2023)
Castle Fraser has been home to many sightings of a supposed princess who apparently met with a grisly end while staying in the building.
Tales say she was murdered while sleeping in the Green Room before her corpse was dragged down stairs that wound up being so badly stained that wood panelling had to be installed to cover up the blood.
“While it is believed the story of the princess was actually made up by a member of staff to scare the children of the castle, sightings continue to this day,” explained the team. “On our visit in October 2023, we witnessed REM-POD and KII activity on the very staircase, as if someone was indeed passing by.”
Tulloch Castle, Dingwall (April 2012)
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“Tulloch Castle in Dingwall is reportedly haunted by a multitude of ghosts, but its most famous is the Green Lady, Elizabeth Davidson,” said the team. “Elizabeth is said to have fallen down the main stairs of the castle after witnessing her father in bed with one of the castle’s servants!
“While there were no visual signs of her when we visited, an ‘invisible’ stone was thrown at the team from the top of a stairwell at the back of the castle. We say invisible, because although it was felt whizzing past the ear of a team member, and heard landing by those there, and on our audio device, no trace of the stone could be found!
“Cold spots on the main staircase were also reported and the presence of an older lady.”
Beauly Priory (September 2023)
"The now ruinous Beauly Priory dates back to 1230 and is the setting for many reports of hauntings,” explained the team.
"On our visit with Rick McCallum of Hollywood Ghost Hunters in 2023 we appeared to communicate with one of its former residents. Lindsay picked up on the spirit of a monk being with us, and KII and REM POD activity seemed to verify his presence.
"So next time you visit, be sure to look out for him."
Brodie Castle (June 2017)
Dating back to the 1560s, Brodie Castle in Forres was the ancestral seat of Clan Brodie until as recently as 1980, when the site entered the stewardship of the National Trust for Scotland.
Its extensive history and numerous periods of remodelling down the centuries meant the the team were invited to visit the castle for a charity event for the trust in 2017.
“The most active part of the castle on our visit was the kitchen area, where a growl was heard by all present at the time,” said the team. “Our Medium also picked up on a butler who appeared to be missing half of his face! Research later discovered that a butler from the castle did go missing and was later found dead at Culbin Sands, having blown off half his face with a gun!”
Old High Churchyard, Inverness (October 2010)
Given its long history, it was little surprise that the Old High’s kirkyard was the first location visited by the team all the way back in October 2010.
“While this historic site has witnessed many happy and tragic moments over the centuries, on this night, it was the children of the graveyard that were most prevalent,” said the team.
“For the voices of children singing were heard by all, and the rhythmic heartbeat of our EMF meter next to the grave of five children, suggested we were not alone. Did we pick up on some of the poor souls who rest there, or the energies of children playing there as many did in life?”
Gun Lodge Hotel, Ardersier (February 2023)
“According to local tradition, room six of the former Gun Lodge Hotel in Ardersier is haunted by the ghost of a girl called Georgina, who still awaits the return of her long lost love,” said the team.
“During our second visit to the hotel we had what appeared to be intelligent responses with a light flickering on and off in a corridor, while simultaneous cat ball and KII activity. Was this the spirit of Georgina trying to communicate with us?”
Clava Cairns (November 2022)
The atmospheric surrounds of the ancient Clava Cairns burial site have prompted numerous visits by the team over the years.
“It has a long and mysterious history, and it said many spirits still walk here,” they said.
“During dowsing rod sessions conducted by multiple investigators, the spirit of a woman and her child have come through. The woman appears to be from the late 1600s and was in modern day terms a midwife, sadly however this seems to have led to her demise, with her being murdered as a ‘witch’ on the very site where she now wanders.
“Accompanying her, is her son, who while not responding on rods, has triggered rem-pods, EMF meters and cat balls.”
Corriegarth Hotel, Inverness (February 2014)
The team believe they detected the presence of a former maid when they investigated the Inverness hotel in 2014.
“Like many other hotels, some of its staff believe the building to be haunted,” they said. “Staff report phantom footsteps, doors opening by themselves, rattling beer crates and other strange noises.
“On our visit there our Medium picked up the presence of a maid who he felt was still there in ‘Room 2’. He felt that she was from either the 60s or 70s and but wasn't sure if it was the 17th or 18th century, he went on to give us the name of Agnes Fraser, a name which was verified with research after the investigation.
“Agnes Fraser was a maid in the property in 1871.Further evidence to support her presence was the capture of audible movement and then a female voice in room two at the same time.”
