December is finally here, which means people all over Scotland will be rushing to get ready for Christmas. Whether you are doing your festive shopping or making the most of the season by heading to a Christmas market or light trail, there is no wrong way to spend your December.
However, one activity that might not immediately come to mind is ghost-spotting. While October and Halloween are long behind us, you might be surprised just how many spirits are said to come out in December. Experts at The Paranormal Database have compiled a list of all of the strange and unexplained phenomena believed to occur across Scotland and the UK throughout the last month of the year.
The Daily Record has rounded up some of these spooky and strange goings-on around the country. From ghostly games of shinty to magical walking stones, there is plenty to see for the ghost hunters out there.
Betsy Jane
Firstly, on December 25, a strange phenomenon is said to occur in the waters of the Solway Firth in Dumfries and Galloway. Locals believe that various spectral vessels can be spotted in the water on Christmas, but one has a particularly grim story.
The Paranormal Database states: “Laden with a golden profit made from selling slaves, God extracted revenge on this morally questionable practice by sinking the ship and killing all the crew on Christmas Day, just prior to the vessel docking.”
They also say that “a hearty mix of other spectral vessels” have also been reported, including the passenger ship Rotterdam, which sank in the 19th century with the loss of all hands. It is seen “normally as a warning prior to a major disaster at sea.”
Discarded Bells
Meanwhile, if you head to the Firth of Forth around Fife on Christmas Day, you may hear an unusual noise. According to legend, the sound of bells ringing can be heard here each year on December 25.
It is believed that this is because, many years ago, bells were looted from churches across Edinburgh. They were then tossed into the estuary, where they supposedly continue to ring at Christmas.
Whether you find this magical or scary will depend on your perspective. It is hard to argue that listening to ghostly bells would be a unique way to spend Christmas, though,
Game of Shinty
Elsewhere, if you are around the Dalarossie Church near Inverness in the Highlands, you may come across another haunting manifestation. It is thought that a ghostly game of shinty is played here each year on December 25.
Legend says that a group of locals made the mistake of playing sports on Christmas Day when it fell on a Sabbath. Now, they rise from the grave for a quick game once a year.
However, according to The Paranormal Database, this only occurs when Christmas falls on a Sunday — meaning it probably will not happen this year. If you head to the area on the Sunday before or after Christmas Day, though, you may well spot a game.
Glowing Train with Red Lights
Meanwhile, taking place after Christmas on December 28 is another Fife manifestation. In the village of Wormit, a glowing train with red lights can supposedly be seen crossing the Tay Bridge.
Back in 1873, a passenger train tragically came crashing down into the water when the first Tay Rail Bridge collapsed. According to The Paranormal Database, the scene is now re-enacted each year on the anniversary of the disaster.
Walking Stone
Finally, on December 31, a strange and altogether creepy phenomenon is believed to occur in Orkney. Legend has it that a standing stone in the parish of Birsay walks down to the nearby loch at the stroke of midnight every Hogmanay and briefly dips its head into the water before moving back to its original location.
While it sounds whimsical, there is a much darker side to the story. Anyone who attempts to try and observe the stone at this time is reportedly found dead the following morning, laying by its base.
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