Hauntings

The Tantallon Castle Ghost Photograph

Also known as: Ghost of Tantallon

Tantallon Castle, near North Berwick

Photograph published March 2009

Wikipedia's article on the castle says only that in modern times the castle and its surroundings are the subject of several ghostlore stories. The detail comes from press coverage of 2009. Reports say the photographer was Christopher Aitchison, and that he sent the picture to Richard Wiseman as part of a research project. Wiseman said the figure appeared to be in period costume and that Tantallon does not use costumed guides. Reports add that photographic experts found no sign that the image had been manipulated. In a test Wiseman said he could reproduce the picture only if a person knelt in the window, which would rule out an ordinary visitor.

A second photograph turned up soon afterwards. It was taken about thirty years before, in 1977, and seemed to show a figure in the same spot, this time with the back or side turned and something red or pink over the torso. Visit East Lothian describes a mysterious figure in period costume photographed in a doorway.

No one has identified the figure. Cameras, reflections and poor recollection all offer possible explanations, and the papers reporting the story did not settle it. Tantallon is a clifftop ruin in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, facing the Bass Rock.

Tantallon Castle is a staffed Historic Environment Scotland site with an entry charge.
Evidence
Single witness account
Access
Open, admission charged
Location
56.056, -2.650 (Sited to the building or field)

Sources: Wikipedia, "Tantallon Castle" [other]; Scottish Daily Express, "The haunted Scottish castle where TWO of the world's most intriguing ghost photos were captured" [other]; Visit East Lothian, "Spooky Season in East Lothian" [other]

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