Edinburgh-based paranormal investigator Graeme Milne talks to JOHN S TANTALON about his lifelong fascination with ghost stories, haunted locations and the importance of scepticism in paranormal research
JOHN S TANTALON: How did your interest in the paranormal start?
GRAEME MILNE: My interest started at a very young age when I began to read fictional ghost and horror books. I started with Fontana ghost and Pan horror paperbacks, graduating to specific authors that I liked, Poe, M R James, then onto Wakefield, De la Mare and Arthur Machen, among many others.
I loved them and still read them today. Factually speaking, my interest really began after I had a creepy experience while house-sitting in Dunfermline, which sparked the idea that perhaps ghosts really did exist.
Where was the most interesting venue you have explored and why?
Probably my favourite, and one where I was most anxious, was early on when I was allowed to wander around Powis House Community Centre in Aberdeen. Dating from the early eighteen hundreds, it is one of the oldest centres of its kind in Scotland and one of the earliest to become a community centre.
Typically, there are lots of stories attached, including the ghost of a mother and child, a monk, among others. I interviewed several people who either worked there or used the building, and three had very upsetting experiences seeing the figure of a smiling woman, while one person quit their job as a cleaner.
In the attic rooms, which look nondescript today, I had the most awful feeling of not being alone and was genuinely creeped out. Ironically, on one occasion when I visited with a bigger team, very little occurred, which I suppose proves it is not down to us but rather them, if they are going to make an appearance.
Today it is run by a committee and, when last contacted, they made it clear the subject of ghosts was off the menu.
What are your thoughts on TV investigation teams?
I have to say, in general, I am not very impressed. The ones I rate are few and far between, and I believe most play up to the camera, mugging to the audience and over-embellishing very little.
I find, as I am sure most folk do, that many start off with good intentions, but as time moves on there seems to be a need to up the ante and make it more thrilling by swearing and carrying on. If I hear the words ‘demonic entity’ again, I think I might cry.
The best teams are measured, quiet and, most of all, respectful to the spirits and the audience.
Favourite fictional ghost story authors?
As mentioned at the beginning, there are many authors I admire. I like A M Burrage and, though not particularly known for ghost stories, I love H P Lovecraft, R Chetwynd Hayes and Joseph Payne Brennan.
There are tons of great stories still to be discovered, but Marjorie Bowen’s The Crown Derby Plate and Burrage’s Look Up There are sublime. My favourite is from an author called Perceval Landon, whose ghostly output was pretty minimal. However, he did write one absolute gem, Thurnley Abbey, which is probably my favourite ghost story of all time.
How do you go about researching a location?
Typically, I look at building records, census records and environmental history to begin with. I think it is very important and have always done this.
Have you ever had a frightening experience?
There have been a few, but thankfully nothing that has sent me screaming into the night. As I mentioned at Powis House, I had a bad one, but it was subtle.
It happened in the attic as I was about to push one of the doors open and a dreadful fear came over me. It was as if an electrical charge was in the air and something was standing just behind the door.
It is difficult to explain, but the literal hairs on the neck went up. The feeling then subsided after around one minute.
I have had a few other disconcerting experiences, one in Aberdeen Tolbooth when someone walked into the room where I was working with a group and the temperature dropped rapidly. That was interesting as it was witnessed by around five people.
Of course, there was also the one in Dunfermline, though it happened so long ago I cannot fully recollect how scary it was.
Are you involved with any other teams?
Much as I would like to be part of a team, it has not really happened. I am involved with a group of like-minded friends called Paranormal Investigations Scotland, PSI, though it is a pretty loose arrangement.
It works well and occasionally we will do small investigations. We are also on good terms with other teams, particularly Phantom Seekers Paranormal and Highland Paranormal, and have been invited to take part in a few cross-group investigations recently.
It is a nice arrangement. They are very professional and, best of all, lovely people.
Anywhere you would like to investigate?
There is quite a list, and they are the most obvious ones like Mary King’s Close, Stirling Castle and possibly the Childhood Museum. It is unlikely to happen, as the organisations that run these either do not allow groups to hold investigations or charge the earth.
If I win the lottery perhaps I can have more clout, but until then I rely on the goodwill of certain establishments like The Banshee Labyrinth pub in Edinburgh, who are very supportive and kind and have allowed us access outwith opening hours.
Have you ever captured any interesting images on camera?
There was one in Aberdeen Tolbooth which was quite interesting, but the rest are nothing startling and could be explained. I have been sent a few from other people from different locations, and there have been a few good ones amongst them.
One I was shown recently was startling and showed the image of a Victorian woman in a black dress standing behind a group of friends in the foreground. It was quite something and, given the history of the area, made sense.
I asked for permission to use it, but they were not keen on the idea, which I have to respect. I often wonder how many great images are out there that will never see the light of day. It is a terrible shame.
What are your thoughts on modern ghost photographs?
The problem is they are getting easier to fake, so unless multiple witnesses were present at the time and some other phenomena occurred, most will be instantly written off.
How much does belief play a part in what you do?
For me, it is a big part of what I do. I have certain beliefs which some might argue would hamper an investigation, but what can you do.
I have witnessed spiritual visitations of family members on several occasions which I cannot deny happened. Saying that, I am respectful of others, or at least try to be, even sceptics, and hope they have the decency to do the same.
Are you still able to have a degree of scepticism while undertaking an investigation?
We are all fallible and, under certain circumstances, can make mistakes. Much as I want proof of the afterlife, as most investigators do, I would rather be critical in my approach.
I can cite several examples where pre-conditioning information was made available to witnesses which, along with unreliable facts, led them to believe a property was haunted. Much as I have my own beliefs, I would rather debunk in the first instance than make something up for the sake of sensationalising a story.
As a guide in Edinburgh, I am also aware that with each retelling of a story it can change and drift slowly from the kernel of truth. The story then finds itself being made public, where it might be further embellished.
It is a fascinating subject and, to be fair, as yet no one has definite answers, no matter how entrenched they are in their beliefs.
Tales from Haunted Scotland by Graeme Milne is now available from Amazon.
