Eileen Murray from Phantom Seekers Paranormal tells JOHN S TANTALON how a childhood fascination with spirits grew into a dedicated team exploring Scotland’s haunted history
Interview with Eileen Murray, Phantom Seekers Paranormal
JOHN S TANTALON: Greetings, Eileen. Please tell us a bit about Phantom Seekers Paranormal, how you formed, and what got you interested in the paranormal.
EILEEN MURRAY: I have been interested in matters paranormal from a very young pre-school age. I used to see an old man, which was put down to being an imaginary friend by my family, but years later I was able to identify him from a photo while clearing my late grandad’s home, as my great-granddad.
He didn’t scare me at all and seemed very kindly. It would seem he was looking over his great-grandchild.
During my primary school years, I was often packed off to my maternal granny in Liverpool during school holidays and was fascinated by an old rocking chair that would rock by itself every night at 8pm. She lived in an old bomb-damaged three-storey townhouse, which was very spooky.
My stays were greatly enhanced by Gran’s neighbour “Aunty Lill”, who was a spirit medium. After some persuasion, and seeing how precocious a child I most certainly was, she allowed me to sit in on her readings and group séances.
They were always active and utterly gripping, but with the caveat “don’t tell your mother”!
Although I remained interested in spooky matters, my life was filled by education, work and later, domestic responsibilities.
Approximately 25 years ago, those responsibilities were discharged, and I was then able to actively pursue this interest. I sought out locations to visit and groups to join to learn more about the paranormal.
I have been involved in several groups along the way in one capacity or another—as social media moderator, admin, team etc.—but as their motivation went down the path of money-making and gaining popularity on media platforms, I grew increasingly disillusioned.
I almost walked away from the paranormal world completely, as I was so tired of the inter-group niggling and backbiting. But I was persuaded by my team member and friend Nichola Dignan to start a group of my own where I had complete autonomy, and Phantom Seekers Paranormal was born approximately four years ago.
Who is in your group? Introduce yourselves. Are you all based in Edinbu
Phantom Seekers Paranormal consists of a core of three: me, Tommy Moyes, and the aforementioned Nichola Dignan.
Although we are different to most groups—everyone who attends our investigations is considered team—there are no experts in matters paranormal, only people with varying degrees of experience.
There is no Team Lead, and everyone joins in.
Neither do we like the term “ghost hunts”, as this implies superiority over spirit and suggests a prey. We prefer to investigate and to learn about the lives of spirit gone before.
We are based in the Lothians and Fife.
Having been involved with your group in previous investigations, I understand that you are very active with several investigations happening each year. What have you been up to in 2025?
In 2025 we have continued this journey of learning more about our spirit friends.
We prefer to investigate a handful of locations rather than superficially visit lots of places, to build trust with spirit.
We are also keen to promote para unity and encourage group collaborations from around the UK. I have hosted several teams at investigations this year and have been invited along to join others.
These occasions are always very rewarding, and I have made many friends along the way. Irrespective of any activity on said investigations, it is always good to spend time with like-minded people and to share information, learn new techniques and create memories.
You have previously relayed details from several investigations to me. Please relay some of them to Spooky Edinburgh readers. We will start with Hailes Castle.
Hailes Castle is a location I have investigated often, although presently it is guarded by a ring of steel, thrown up by Historic Scotland as “unsafe”.
I am particularly drawn to this place as it is the last calling place of Mary Queen of Scots, who stayed here after marrying her last husband, the Earl of Bothwell, shortly before she was then taken off to start her years of captivity, while her husband fled to Denmark.
We have captured many interesting EVPs of the assorted Earls, staff, and we believe Mary herself.
I was questioning spirit about her relationship with the said Earl, and we quite clearly heard a voice say “I kiss him here”. This was heard as a DVP and later enhanced and presented with accompanying video, all of which can be found on our page.
We hope to return and further explore this line of enquiry.
Torwood Castle is a location with a fascinating history, both ancient and contemporary. I understand you were lucky enough to investigate here. The building is a ruin and is run by volunteers. How did you get the investigation, and what happened?
Torwood Castle near Falkirk is another favoured location.
It is currently undergoing extensive restoration work by a team of volunteers led by the remarkable Gary Grant, custodian of Torwood. This project receives no public funding and relies on donations from the public, contributions from visiting paranormal teams, and more recently the sale of their own eggs and a line of merchandise.
It is a very ancient site with Roman workings, a well, and a nearby broch too.
We have varying degrees of activity here but feel we are forming a bond and gaining trust. We have also captured direct voice responses here, which can be found on our page.
I have a spirit attachment of someone professing to be my husband from the 17th Century, and it was at Torwood that he first accused me of murdering him and his sons. It would not appear to have been a happy union!
Our own North Edinburgh Nightmares’ Kerrie Powell has been involved with investigations at Jedburgh Castle. How did you find this suitably spooky location?
Jedburgh Castle and Jail is up there with us for activity.
It was here my spirit attachment first made himself known to me and continues to make his presence felt strongly. I am always physically affected here. Some graphic recordings are available for your delight.
We have also had activity in cells 18 and 21—these seem to be the most active for many groups. It is indeed a fascinating, if dangerous, location, and it will take many visits to scratch the surface of what has gone before.
Nichola, who is one of the best in audio capture and analysis, has posted several annotated videos with quite disturbing information. Particularly shocking are those recordings of spirit talking between themselves about us, using our names.
I visited Inveraray Jail 20 years ago. I, however, know little of its ghosts. It’s successful with tourism, but how did you find its long-deceased residents?
Inveraray Jail is in one of the most idyllic settings in Scotland and I always love to visit and stay over here, taking in the impressive castle and, of course, the local culinary delights too!
The courtroom is a real chiller. Tommy had a very close encounter here when on a lone vigil—he heard footsteps approach him, resounding off the old, well-trodden, hard wooden floors, and felt something stand immediately in front of him before turning and walking away.
The cells are where I had my new glasses torn from my head and tossed some feet away.
We heard the clatter of something metallic in the corridor and found a wee Willie Winkie–style candle holder had been thrown the length of the corridor. Seemingly, it had apported from a staged montage behind a locked gate.
I also had some remarkable communication with spirit in the attic exercise area—balls moved the length of the room, stopped at my feet, encircled me and returned to the end of the room.
Unfortunately, Inveraray Jail has rebranded as an escape room attraction, but we are hoping paranormal groups may be allowed back at some point in the future.
Our friend Paul Hannon, who has worked with us both, has relayed many tales from his time working at Bannockburn House. It sounds like a very active place. How did you get on when you visited?
Bannockburn House is the only location where I have had to temporarily step away.
It is very active, with a full history including visits from Bonnie Prince Charlie.
However, it was an encounter with the estate gardener that led to my being throttled and having to step out in order to recover. This entire episode was caught by Nichola, with very aggressive EVP using the most derogatory words, ordering this assault on me.
It was very physical—I could feel the pressure around my neck and felt very sick. Look on the page for this interesting tidbit!
Investigations here have been suspended due to the poor condition caused by water damage to the plasterwork ceilings, but hopefully we can return when it is safe to do so and see what else is lurking in the shadows. A fabulous restoration project is continuing.
You have been fortunate enough to carry out several investigations in the Banshee Labyrinth (Niddry Street Vaults). Please relay some of your findings.
The Banshee Labyrinth is a venue we have been actively investigating for some years, and it is only recently that matters have escalated considerably.
I have hosted several groups here in 2025. The most remarkable finding was in March 2025—St Patrick’s Day!—with our good friends from Highland Paranormal.
While calling out in the back bar next to the pool room, lots of cat balls were flashing. Lots of banging could be heard on demand.
When Nichola asked for the only ball not to flash in the far corner to be activated, we then heard a female voice emanating from a phone that was in flight mode. There is no Wi-Fi signal there in any case.
It said “NO” quite emphatically! It was the voice of Siri. Enquiries have been made with iPhone and Apple as to how this could happen, and the consensus is that it simply cannot… but clearly, as we caught on film, it did!
On clearing the tables to move on, I found a large gothic ring next to the said phone. It belonged to nobody there, and on checking footage, it was not there when we started.
Interestingly, a couple of months later, when investigating with our friends Disturbed Paranormal from Merseyside, another ring apported from nowhere to the edge of the pool table. There is no sign of it on any photography or video up to that point.
Is spirit trying to say something?
The Banshee is on our list for further exploratory investigations with more friends who are keen to join in!
What’s coming up? Tell us all about your plans for 2026.
These are only a few of the many interesting experiences that have happened in recent times over a variety of locations.
It is hoped that in 2026 we can continue this quest for answers and hopefully share them with Spooky Edinburgh and the para community.
Many thanks for the interview. Do you have any final words for Spooky Edinburgh and its readers?
Look on Facebook… come over to Phantom Seekers Paranormal, join in with the fun… you know you want to!
