Balgonie Castle
Research
THE GHOSTS: Balgonie Castle is home to many ghosts. The ‘Green Lady’, the castle’s most famous spirit, “recorded in 1842 as being a well known phantom”. The ghost of a 17th century soldier and the spirit of a dog are just two of the many other haunts. Balgonie’s Great Hall sounds so charming, described as “a 14th century candlelit Hall”, but there has been more than one apparition seen here. And, even more eerie, many visitors claim to have herd ghostly voices whispering in the while in the Great Hall.
Sightings
Sightings as told by the laird were, an old gentleman in the court yard around the derelict buildings near the well, the Green Lady or “Green Jeanie” as she is known walks through the derelict outhouses starting from the chapel heading outwards. And Jeanie has also been seen in the ground surrounding the castle walls. In the dining room, a headless soldier and an old lady repute to frequent this area, and whispers are heard in this area.
SPI’s Investigation Report
We were met by the Laird in the Court Yard on arrival. The Laird gave us a brief history of the castle and its occupants and proceeded on with the Tour of the castle. We were show the store room, which was scratched immediately from any part of the investigation due to the amount of stuff stored within. Next to the store was the waiting chamber to the chapel, where registers were signed for weddings.
This place did not have any Natural light, only and entrance door and the door leading through into the chapel. This was the only door to the chapel. The room had two Windows. We proceeded on to the Tower building and shown the old store room now used for the dogs. Upstairs in the 1st floor was a magnificent dining Hall. Several members instantly had an uneasy feeling about this room, especially in one corner under the band platform, which stood about 7 feet above the room. The rooms about this were living quarters for the Laird and his family, which he kindly showed. The last of the tour took us back out to the court where we saw the prison and the derelict buildings around.
Investigation
We set up stand alone cameras in the Chapel looking upon a cross with the edges drawn round on paper. A Dictaphone was also left on the Alter with an external microphone attached. The team then split into two groups.
Courtyard & Outer Buildings: 1 team member stated that they felt sick at the front of the main gate near the derelict area. 2 team members noticed that there were trees and shrubs growing within the derelict outhouses, when the light of our torches hit the foliage, the green of the leaves could be seen swaying about. This potentially could account for some the “Green Jeanie” sightings in this area.
Dinning Hall: 2 team members felt an extreme cold spot while seated. No apparent drafts were felt and the temp remained at a steady 13deg c. 1 member had to eventually move from this area, as the coldness was actually starting to cause some discomfort and pain. 1 member caught flashing lights in the middle of the hall.
Conclusion
Balgonie Castle offered us an excellent opportunity to investigate as a group for the first time and we are very proud of the way we worked together and remained calm throughout the night and looked at the claims in a clam and logical manner. Although the castle seemed quiet on this night and we do feel we were able to account for at least some of the “Green Jeanie” sightings. We feel it is too early to determine if Balgonie Castle is haunted or not and would welcome a return visit after we have more experience
