Experts meet in Edinburgh to discuss existence of ghosts

Experts meet in Edinburgh to discuss existence of ghosts

A group of experts have gathered at the Edinburgh Science Festival to discuss the existence of ghosts.

They will focus on apparitions caught on camera or video. Amongst the topics of discussion will be Tantallon Castle in North Berwick, which has recently attracted interest after a photograph taken in May last year appears to show a man or woman peering out of a window.

The image of the figure in period costume spooked experts into conducting the biggest ever investigation into supernatural beings.

No mannequins or costumed guides are employed at the castle, and three photographic experts have confirmed that no digital manipulation was carried out on the photo.

Sceptical Professor Richard Wiseman, who led the study, admitted to being puzzled. He said: "It is certainly very curious. We ran it by three photographic experts and they said it hadn't been Photoshopped at all.

"The figure appears to be in period costume, but we know 100% that Tantallon Castle is not the sort of place that has dummies or costumed guides; they just don't go in for that sort of thing.

"I suppose it could be a visitor looking a little bit strange. Perhaps someone will come forward. Another possibility is an odd reflection of sunlight, but it does look very like a person. The explanation is not obvious."

Tantallon Castle, a ruined fortress dating back to the 14th century, stands on a remote rocky headland near North Berwick. It was badly damaged in an attack by Oliver Cromwell's forces in 1651.

Christopher Aitchison, who took the photo, said: "I was not aware of anyone, or anything, being present in my picture, only noticing the anomaly when I got home.

"Staff have verified that there were no sinister dummies in period costume or historical re-enactments going on that day at the castle. I did not notice any nice old ladies wearing ruffs walking around the stairs! Some people have suggested its just light reflecting on rocks and one person suggested it may be King James V of Scotland."

Meanwhile, Grace Lamb - an enthusiast of the supernatural - has come forward with another Tantallon Castle photograph taken in 1976, where a mysterious object appears above the heads of her children Paul and Kelly and her late husband Hugh.

Historic Scotland, which looks after the castle, said there is no history of ghosts there, but agrees the two images are "intriguing".

This is great! woohoo

More ghost stuff! clap

WOWWW! The figure far right looks headless, but there's a lot of other faces there on the wall and something... what's that blocking that guys butt & upper leg in that pic? Is it really behind something?

Interesting story too!

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