Magician and paranormal expert Charles Cameron stood at the centre of Edinburgh’s wax museum, a place of nightmare mannequins, ghostly encounters and stories that still unsettle the city, writes GRAEME MILNE
Having visited Edinburgh’s famed wax museum in the 1970s, I only have vague memories of the attraction but of course remember the chamber of horrors.
Opened in 1976 by London entrepreneur Keith James, the owner wisely chose local man Charles Cameron, the legendary purveyor of bizarre magic, to run the premises.
A much respected magician, he also performed as Count Dracula at the Castle Dracula theatre on the top floor of the building.
Who was Charles Cameron?
Cameron was also an acknowledged expert on the paranormal and collected a library on the subject thought to have been the best in the country.
The waxworks were extremely popular, particularly with the home crowd, and it was a huge loss when it eventually closed.
The most talked about part was of course the chamber of horrors, which featured mannequins of torture, victims, Sawney Bean, Deacon Brodie and the Wizard of West Bow, who appeared to have been modelled on Anton LaVey, former head of the Church of Satan.
These chilling depictions of both fictional and factual horrors provided the kids of Edinburgh with long lasting nightmare fuel.
Perhaps scarier though were the alleged actual hauntings which were said to have taken place in the building itself.
Having been one of the only survivors of the Great Fire of Edinburgh, it was at one point a children’s shelter and was said to have been haunted by its previous incumbents.
For many, the thought of working in a wax museum surrounded by the terrifying effigies of some of Edinburgh’s most fearsome characters would be somewhat off putting.
However, as the saying goes, someone had to do it.
Cameron himself alluded to the building’s reputation and across several interviews described hearing strange sounds while working there.
Footsteps were often reported despite no one being there, as was the mischievous giggling of children.
Usually occurring once the punters had left, it would have been a place where one’s imagination could easily run riot.
Creepy encounters at Edinburgh Wax Museum
Several creepy encounters were recorded for posterity, including the following notable incident in which Charles described the fate of one cleaner while working there.
Whether she knew of the building’s reputation or not I cannot say, but while working alone she was flicked on the back of her head.
Turning in surprise, she saw the figure of an old man wearing a silver jacket standing directly behind her.
Moments later he vanished.
The distraught cleaner was found several hours later by Mr Cameron and his colleague Bill, cowering in a corner.
She was terrified out of her wits, Cameron later said.
Phenomena such as phones ringing despite not being plugged in were also described as being common, and doors and windows he knew to be closed were often found to have been mysteriously opened.
On another occasion, while Charles was locking up for the night, he ended up on the top floor.
While checking a door, his torch began to sputter before going out.
Now in total darkness, he later stated that he then felt himself surrounded by the spirits of children who were noted as whispering.
In panic he struck the torch and it sprang back into life, leaving a thankfully empty room.
Many other incidents were recorded over his tenure, however despite the attraction’s popularity the owner opted to sell up.
It was devastating news for the many thousands who knew and loved the place.
The building then became a restaurant, which was also said to be haunted, though I have yet to hear any concrete stories, before being taken over by the Faculty of Advocates.
I have often been tempted to enquire if anyone working there has had any similar experiences, but have not done so yet.
Witness to other strange events beyond those in the museum, Charles Cameron was often called upon to lend his expertise to events.
On one such occasion he was asked to take part in a Halloween event at the famous Witchery Restaurant.
The brainchild of entrepreneur James Thompson, at its inception in the late nineteen seventies it provided a suitably spooky dining experience, with a witch effigy greeting diners upon entering.
As the name implies, there is a connection to the witch trials and executions which took place in and around the building during the reign of James VI.
It is also said to be haunted, as the following suggests.
In a newspaper article from the early nineteen eighties, Charles Cameron described taking part in a spooky dining experience held at the Witchery on Halloween.
As part of the evening’s entertainment, a paranormal expert had been employed and during proceedings began reciting an invocation to attract spirits.
According to Cameron’s testimony, they got more than they bargained for.
James Thompson stated afterwards: ‘Suddenly the whole atmosphere changed, the party fun had gone, and we felt something strange was happening. It was quite frightening. We won’t do it again.’
On being pressed to provide further information, he chose not to elaborate.
These are just a few of the stories that Charles Cameron recounted during his lifetime, and I am certain those that knew him could tell many more.
He was undoubtedly a fascinating Edinburgh character who remains much missed by those with an interest in the macabre.
Tales from Haunted Scotland by Graeme Milne is now available from Amazon.
