Monthly Archives: October 2011

In which the author reflects on a quiet night in, on Halloween…

You may be familiar with Buffy the Vampire Slayer. AKA one of television’s greatest creations. Ever.

 

In one episode, several of the characters call upon Spike the vampire on Halloween, and are surprised to find him home alone in his crypt, watching old movies on television. When they ask why he isn’t out terrifying the population, he replies that for him, it’s Halloween every night of the year. So on October 31st he likes to have a quiet night in.

 

Now, I may not be quite as toothsome as ol’ Spike, but I know what he means. Everyone assumes that, with my interests, I’m out getting involved in major spookiness on Halloween. But, given that my typical day involves sitting in a book-lined room decorated with skulls and gargoyles, and writing about subjects such as 17th century demonology, poltergeists, bodysnatching, ghosts, anomalous animals, and monsters – well, Halloween just doesn’t seem like an unusual date.

 

So it will be a quiet Halloween. I’ll work, walk the dog, work some more, and then do a bit of reading or watch TV. Nothing spooky at all. Now, has anyone seen my copy of Legends of Blood? I need to check out some vampire sightings…

In which the author looks in on ‘Poltergeist Manor’…

The other day I attended a talk by the fine author Lorn Macintrye, who had many interesting things to say about his family background of second sight in Argyll and Mull, and his own dealings with people involved in the paranormal, such as the Scottish medium Albert Best.

 

My main focus of interest, however, was Lorn’s investigations into Pitmilly House, which he dubbed ‘Poltergeist Manor’. The house in East Fife was demolished decades ago, but I’ve been pursuing its supernatural history for my forthcoming book Haunted St Andrews and District, so getting hold of a copy of Lorn’s booklet on the subject was a bonus.

 

Now here is the key question: does anyone reading this have a family tradition of a connection with Pitmilly? Perhaps you have a relative who visited the house, or worked there? If so, I would be delighted to hear from you – especially if the memories are from the 1930s or 1940s, as this was the period when the poltergeist was reportedly active.

 

You can get in touch via the contact form here.

In which the author gives a talk on ‘Mysterious and Macabre Perthshire’ in Aberfeldy…

This Friday (28th October) I’m the guest of the Breadalbane Heritage Society in Aberfeldy. I’ll be talking about the Maggie Wall Witchcraft Monument, 19th century bodysnatching, and alleged supernatural encounters. The event is open to the public – everyone welcome.

7:30PM, Aberfeldy Town Hall, Crieff Road, Aberfeldy, PH15 2DU._

In which the author gives a talk on bodysnatching…

On Monday 24th October I’m the guest speaker at the AGM of the West Stormont Historical Society. And the subject of my talk will be ‘Ghoulish Tales of Bodysnatching in Perthshire’.

 

Perthshire has the physical remains of many relics from the bodysnatching era, from watch-houses to several fine examples of morthouses and mortsafes. I’ll be covering these examples of ‘dark heritage’ and examining the economic and social factors behind bodysnatching.

 

 

The meeting starts at 7.30pm at Kinclaven Church Hall, between Stanley and Meiklour. Visitors and non-members welcome. For more info, see http://www.stanleydevelopmenttrust.org/west-stormont-historical-society/_

**CANCELLED** – ‘Paranormal Glasgow’ Talk and Signing

Wednesday 19th October 2011

 

7.00pm, The Ladywell, 
268-270 High Street,
 Merchant City,
 Glasgow
 G4 0QT. Tickets £7 – limited numbers available, so please call 0141 552 7810 in advance to reserve your ticket.

In this intimate setting (see www.theladywell.com) I will be giving an extensive talk on the topics covered in Paranormal Glasgow:

 

 

 

    • Witchcraft in Glasgow, including the Witches of Pollok, and the Possessed Children of Bargarran and Govan
    • Miraculous Fasts, Emissaries from Hell and Murderous Doppelgangers
    • Spontaneous cases of Precognition, Crisis Visitations and Clairvoyance
    • Big Cats and Anomalous Racoons
    • Hunting The Vampire With Iron Teeth

 

Following the talk there will be time for questions. Copies of all of my books will be available for sale and signing.

In which the author gives a talk on mysteries in Coupar Angus…

 

 

  • Big cats…
  • A destructive 18th century meteorite (or was it a UFO?)…
  • Fairy child-theft (or were they alien abductions?)…
  • Queen Guinevere, torn apart by wild dogs and now a local fertility goddess…
  • Bodysnatchers and murderous ‘Burkers’…

 

 These are the local mysteries I’ll be covering in the talk ‘Perthshire Mysteries and Murders’ on Wednesday 12th October in Coupar Angus Library. Geographically, the subjects range across East Perthshire, from Blairgowrie and Coupar Angus to Alyth and Meigle.  If you’re in the area, please come along – all are welcome.

 

The details: Coupar Angus Library, Union Street, Coupar Angus, 7.30pm, Wednesday 12th October. Tickets on the door. Contact 01250 872905.