Episode 25 Hoax Ghosts Part 2

Two walkers shelter in a remote Scottish bothy. Then an ashen-faced boy appears at the window.In Part 1 of Haunted Landscapes and Scary Bothies, Graeme and Karen head into Britain’s wild places, where a roof over your head isn’t always as comforting as you’d hoped. There’s a phantom knight at Hastings, a name written in candle wax on a bothy wall, and the wandering Lantern Man of the Norfolk Broads. Would you follow a light across the marshes?Along the way, they explore where eyewitness accounts and local folklore overlap, and how mist, isolation and a sound you can’t quite place can make an empty landscape feel anything but empty.Content noteThis episode includes historical accounts of death, bereavement and suicide.Credit: Lights On Still Scared Theme: Lyrics by Karen SwanstonKey Topics[00:00:00] - Graeme and Karen introduce haunted landscapes and lonely places[00:02:18] - The “bleeding ground” and phantom knight at the Battle of Hastings[00:04:58] - A mysterious boy at a remote Scottish bothy[00:09:19] - Nant Syddion and stories of a motherly presence[00:12:47] - A floating apparition near Killiecrankie[00:17:10] - Civil War echoes and ghostly figures at Freezing Hill[00:22:01] - Sandwood Bay: the phantom sailor, haunted keepsakes and strange footsteps[00:28:33] - The Lantern Man and folklore of the Norfolk Broads[00:32:48] - Strange encounters at the Tarff Hotel bothyRelevant Links1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield — English HeritageMountain Bothies AssociationSandwood Bay walking guide — WalkhighlandsThe Broads — official visitor informationThese accounts range from recorded local traditions to personal reports, and not every haunting has a clear explanation. Whether the cause is supernatural, natural or shaped by the stories attached to a place, the episode leaves one practical piece of advice ringing out: admire the landscape, but think twice before bringing home a souvenir.

A ghost accused of murder, furniture with a mind of its own, and a woman who convinced doctors she was giving birth to rabbits, this week, Karen and Graeme explore the stranger side of ghost hoaxes and supernatural scares. From London and Aberdeen to North Wales, Quebec and Bo’ness, they follow stories that drew crowds, divided witnesses and turned extraordinary claims into public spectacles. But behind the scratching, apparitions and apparent poltergeists, could the culprits be hidden props, mischievous children or even an asthmatic owl?Key Topics[00:01:36] - The Cock Lane ghost: “Scratching Fanny,” public séances and the hoax investigation[00:07:09] - Aberdeen’s Canal Street haunting and the crowds drawn by increasingly dramatic claims[00:11:12] - The Great Orme apparition and a proposed cliffside practical joke[00:21:06] - Aberdeen poltergeist stories: Gordon Lane, “Johnny Ghosty” and the Shuttle Lane scare[00:29:21] - The Dagg farm talking poltergeist and the claims surrounding young Dana[00:33:57] - The Snow Kirk ghost—and the young man whose language was mistaken for Latin[00:38:12] - Mary Toft’s rabbit-birth deception and its impact on medical credibility[00:43:14] - Kinneil House’s “Great Ghost Scare” and the asthmatic owl explanationRelevant LinksThe Cock Lane ghostMary ToftThe Great OrmeAcross these cases, a haunting could become a hoax, a neighborhood disturbance could become a headline, and a rumor could bring hundreds of curious onlookers to someone’s doorstep. The episode’s central question is less “Was it a ghost?” than “What happens when a story gets ahead of the evidence?”

A white-clad “ghost” mistaken for a man, a mummified fairy exposed as a hoax, and a talking mongoose with a taste for gossip: Graham Milne and Karen Swanston explore the strange stories behind famous ghostly scares and paranormal claims.From historic sightings in London and Dundee to a 1950s Glasgow “poltergeist,” this Halloween episode looks at how pranks, misunderstandings, local rumours and newspaper coverage can turn ordinary events into extraordinary tales.Key Topics[00:02:13] - The Hammersmith ghost, a fatal case of mistaken identity, and the trial that followed[00:06:53] - Dundee’s imposing Blackness Quarry spectre—and the locals who tried to confront it[00:10:59] - The 2007 mummified fairy hoax and why some people refused to believe the confession[00:15:32] - A Glasgow poltergeist explained by thin walls and neighbours’ arguments[00:19:53] - Gef, the talking mongoose of the Isle of Man, and the investigators who came to listen[00:28:35] - A hospital ghost story with a startlingly ordinary visitor at its heartRelevant LinksOld Bailey Online — explore historical criminal trial recordsHammersmith Ghost murder — background on the case discussedGef — further reading on the Isle of Man’s “talking mongoose”Harry Price Library of Magical Literature — archival collection connected to paranormal investigator Harry PriceFrom ghostly figures in the dark to voices behind the panelling, these stories show how easily fear and speculation can shape what people think they’ve witnessed. Some incidents had real consequences; others were revealed as elaborate fabrications—or may have had a much more everyday explanation.

A crystal ball from an old loft, a famously unsettling doll, and a Ouija-board table all raise the same question: can an object carry a presence or is there another explanation? Graham Milne and Karen Swanston swap eerie stories from Scotland and beyond, weighing reported experiences against folklore and the possibility of coincidence.The episode ranges from recurring nightmares and a haunted mummy’s head to Robert the Doll in Key West. The hosts also share personal accounts involving a family heirloom doll, a supposedly cursed necklace, and reports of haunted clothing. Image shows artist's interpretation. Key Topics[00:01:07] - A crystal ball found in a loft—and the nightmares that followed[00:04:46] - Graham’s story of an old bottle and a disturbing dream[00:06:05] - Strange activity at Aden Country Park, including a story about a mummy’s head[00:09:58] - Robert the Doll: his history, reputation, and visitor etiquette[00:20:39] - A Ouija-board table and a chilling story shared by folklorist Stanley Robertson[00:29:27] - A doll-reading experiment and Karen’s family doll, Loopy Lou[00:36:14] - The Loch Leven necklace and reports of its unsettling effects[00:41:08] - Haunted clothing, including an Edwardian dress and stories of phantom jacketsRelevant LinksFort East Martello Museum — Key West Art & Historical Society — home of Robert the DollAden Country ParkNHS: Sleep paralysis — a possible non-paranormal explanation discussed in the episodeFrom haunted heirlooms to objects surrounded by local legend, these stories leave room for both scepticism and curiosity. If you’ve had an unexplained experience with an object—or a story about one—keep it respectful, keep asking questions, and, as the hosts say, keep the lights on.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston explore four unsettling haunted-object stories, from mass-produced paintings blamed for house fires to mysterious carved heads, a reportedly haunted mirror, and a bone said to bring misfortune. Along the way, they weigh the eerie legends against the ordinary explanations and unanswered questions behind them.The stories span Britain, Louisiana, and Edinburgh, with reported apparitions, strange reflections, unexplained disturbances, and one very ill-advised souvenir. These are tales of folklore and reported experiences, not settled evidence and some of their details remain disputed.Key Topics[00:01:31] - The Crying Boy prints and Britain’s “blazing curse” scare[00:07:20] - The legend of the boy said to be connected to the paintings[00:09:20] - The newspaper bonfire and the curse’s supposed end[00:11:24] - The Hexham Heads and reports of a werewolf-like visitor[00:17:03] - The Myrtles Plantation mirror and its unsettling reflections[00:20:00] - The alleged mummy’s curse at a house in Edinburgh[00:27:42] - What happened to the bone—and a more recent reported sightingRelevant LinksThe Myrtles Plantation — official websiteCrying Boy — background on the paintings and legendHexham Heads — background on the objects and reported hauntingBritish Museum CollectionGraeme and Karen close with a promise to return for Haunted Objects Part Two. Until then, keep the lights on—and stay a little scared.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston return with more stories of phantom pets and spooky animals, from a spectral chicken in Highgate to cats that seem to return after death. This episode explores the strange, touching and occasionally amusing ways animals appear in ghost stories.Hear reported encounters with ghostly cats, a huge red-eyed hound near Blairgowrie, a phantom dog at Edinburgh’s Witchery, and even a fish that reportedly reappeared after being flushed away. The hosts also revisit the tale of a supposed poltergeist in Tarves and the very human explanation behind it.Key Topics[00:01:41] - The phantom chicken of Highgate and the story linked to Francis Bacon[00:05:56] - A witness’s account of a huge, red-eyed phantom hound near Blairgowrie[00:09:09] - Ghost cats: unexplained sounds, moving toys and apparitions[00:16:01] - A ghost dog at the Witchery, and the curious story of three hats[00:20:29] - A llama’s reported visits after death and the phantom monkey at Culross Palace[00:26:13] - The fish that allegedly returned to its aquarium after being flushed[00:31:20] - The Tarves “poltergeist”—and the jackdaw behind the wallRelevant LinksJohn Aubrey’s Brief LivesCulross Palace — National Trust for ScotlandThe Witchery by the CastleEmory Digital CollectionsFrom loyal animal companions to eerie apparitions, these stories leave room for wonder—and for a healthy dose of skepticism. Keep the lights on, and stay scared.Hosts: Graeme Milne and Garen Swanston.

If you’ve ever wondered whether pets can leave a sign after they’re gone, this conversation explores some of the strangest and most comforting ghost pet stories people have shared. From a grieving dog owner seeing a possible visitation to animal encounters that seem to cross the line between memory and haunting, it’s a spooky-but-sweet look at how deeply we bond with the animals in our lives.Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston share personal stories and reported paranormal encounters involving dogs, budgies, squirrels, and even an invisible creature in the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, they dig into the idea that animals may appear after death to reassure their people, often looking healthy, peaceful, or somehow “returned” to their best selves.The episode also touches on grief, guilt, and the strange ways people interpret unexplained experiences when they’re missing a beloved pet. If you enjoy haunted animals, paranormal folklore, or personal ghost stories with a human heart, this one delivers plenty to think about.Key Topics[00:00:04] - Introduction to ghostly pets and haunted animals[00:01:24] - The story of Sadie, a much-loved cocker spaniel[00:02:20] - The porch conversation and the possible sign from Sadie[00:04:33] - Graeme’s personal story about Tertia and a possible visit[00:05:48] - A family account from Bodham involving strange animal footprints and attic noises[00:11:25] - Karen’s childhood budgie Jimmy and the uncanny cuckoo clock moment[00:16:58] - The phantom collie stories from Dumfriesshire[00:19:49] - The squirrel story: Squiggy, the rainbow bridge, and a memorial figurine[00:22:56] - The idea of spirits appearing without ailments or physical limitations[00:24:23] - An invisible creature in Rothiemurchus Forest and the Big Grey Man folklore[00:28:05] - Closing reflections and goodbyeRelevant LinksRainbow Bridge concept: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Bridge_(pets)The Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Grey_Man_of_Ben_MacduiRothiemurchus Forest: https://www.rothiemurchus.net/Cairngorms National Park: https://cairngorms.co.uk/These stories range from tender to eerie, but they all circle back to the same idea: animals can leave a lasting imprint that doesn’t always feel finished when they’re gone. Whether you see these moments as coincidence, comfort, or something beyond explanation, the episode offers a thoughtful reminder of how powerful our connections with pets can be.Sometimes the most unforgettable signs are the ones that arrive quietly.

Haunted hitchhiking stories take center stage in this eerie conversation, from faceless roadside apparitions to ghostly passengers who vanish from moving cars. If you’re drawn to phantom hitchhiker legends, roadside hauntings, and true ghost accounts with a local-history twist, this episode delivers plenty to keep you looking over your shoulder.Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston revisit a mix of Scottish and English supernatural encounters, including the White Wife of Unst, the Gray Lady of Kinghorn, and a well-documented Bedfordshire sighting that made it into the newspapers. Along the way, they compare older folklore with contemporary witness reports, asking what happens when a story is repeated, recorded, and passed on through generations.There’s also a fascinating detour into cinema, with a look at Return to Glennascaul, Orson Welles’ atmospheric short film inspired by ghostly road encounters. It’s a fitting companion piece to the real-life tales discussed here, and a great pick if you enjoy your hauntings with a side of classic black-and-white mystery.Key Topics[00:00:04] - Opening chat and introduction to more haunted hitchhiking stories[00:01:28] - The faceless woman of Caterham Bypass, Surrey[00:03:31] - The White Wife of Unst, Shetland: origins, sightings, and family second sight[00:06:54] - A late-night encounter beside the loch and the “White Wife” legend in local reports[00:08:16] - Three witnesses on Unst and the figure on the dark country road[00:10:05] - Lincolnshire, 1918: the mysterious passenger and the drowned man[00:12:16] - Orson Welles and Return to Glennascaul[00:16:00] - Roy Fulton’s 1979 Bedfordshire phantom hitchhiker encounter[00:19:43] - The Gray Lady of Kinghorn, Fife: bus stops, buses, and hotel hauntings[00:26:06] - Closing thoughts and sign-offRelevant LinksReturn to Glennascaul (full film): https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Return+to+Glenascaul+Orson+WellesOrson Welles biography: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Orson-WellesArthur C. Clarke’s World of Strange Powers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke%27s_World_of_Strange_PowersPhantom hitchhiker folklore overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_hitchhikerUnst, Shetland: https://www.visit-shetland.com/places/unstKinghorn, Fife: https://www.visitfife.com/destinations/kinghorn/This episode is a reminder that some of the best ghost stories begin on empty roads, after dark, with only a passing stranger for company. Whether you prefer folk legend, newspaper accounts, or cinematic hauntings, these stories blur the line between folklore and lived experience in a deeply unsettling way.Keep the lights on for the next one.

Haunted hitchhikers have a way of turning an ordinary drive into something unforgettable. In this episode, Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston share a series of eerie roadside encounters, from phantom women and vanished passengers to stories that seem to repeat across different places and decades.The conversation moves through classic ghost-lift folklore and regional legends, exploring why these stories persist, how they change in the retelling, and what makes them so unsettling: the wrongness of a stranger at the roadside, the cold in the car, the impossible disappearance, and the feeling that some roads never quite let go of the dead.Along the way, they cover well-known accounts from Lincolnshire, Edinburgh, the Wirral, Peterhead, Somerset, and beyond, including a memorable story associated with Telly Savalas that blends celebrity, coincidence, and paranormal folklore into one of the most striking hitchhiker tales.Key Topics[00:01:15] - The Metheringham Lass: RAF Metheringham, the roadside apparition, and the legend’s chilling variations[00:03:22] - The backstory of Katherine Bystock and the idea of a crisis apparition[00:04:32] - The Edinburgh fireman’s story: a midnight pickup, strange conversation, and the childproof locks mystery[00:08:17] - The White Lady of Dibbinsdale Bridge: nun, monk, drowning legend, and multiple ghostly forms[00:11:20] - The alternate Dibbinsdale tale and the elderly cyclist who vanishes on the bridge[00:12:39] - The Peterhead hitchhiker story and the jacket left at the graveside[00:17:20] - Harry Unsworth and the A38 in Somerset: repeated encounters with the same hitchhiker[00:21:18] - Telly Savalas and the ghost hitchhiker in New Jersey[00:27:37] - The second encounter and the eerie connection to JFK’s assassination[00:28:45] - Closing thoughts and sign-offRelevant LinksRAF Metheringham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_MetheringhamDibbinsdale Nature Reserve / area context: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DibbinsdalePeterhead: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PeterheadA38 road: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A38_roadTelly Savalas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telly_SavalasGhost stories and folklore archive (general reference): https://www.sacred-texts.com/fort/YouTube search for the Telly Savalas hitchhiking story: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Telly+Savalas+hitchhiking+ghost+storyWhat makes these stories endure is their familiarity: a lonely road, a stranger in distress, and a moment that turns impossible. Whether told as local legend, personal testimony, or folklore handed down over time, the haunted hitchhiker remains one of the most compelling ghost stories because it feels just close enough to be true.If you’ve ever driven a quiet road late at night, this episode may make you look twice at the shoulder — and wonder who, exactly, might still be waiting there.

Haunted ships, eerie premonitions, and legendary transport disasters collide in this spooky conversation about why certain vehicles seem to carry a shadow with them. From the Titanic to a cursed-looking Porsche, the stories here explore the thin line between coincidence, intuition, and something far harder to explain.Karen Swanston and Graham Milne dig into real-world maritime tragedy, reported hauntings, and infamous warnings that seemed to come true. Along the way, they ask the bigger question: are these just strange accidents and hindsight, or do some places and objects hold onto fear in ways we can still feel?There’s also a chilling Scottish tale involving a stranded yacht and a spectral sailor, plus a powerful retelling of the Tay Bridge disaster and the eerie stories that grew around it. If you’re drawn to paranormal history, ghostly transport lore, and unexplained warnings, this one is packed with it.Key Topics[00:00:00] - Introduction to haunted transport stories and the Titanic[00:01:09] - Titanic’s maiden voyage, collision, and sinking timeline[00:02:35] - Ice warnings, wireless messages, and safety decisions[00:04:26] - Ship design, flooding, and why the Titanic may have failed so quickly[00:05:09] - Morgan Robertson’s Futility and eerie premonitions in fiction[00:06:23] - Dreams, warnings, and passengers who sensed disaster before sailing[00:07:35] - Titanic hauntings, museum reports, and paranormal claims tied to relics[00:08:56] - The Silver Cloud incident off Fraserburgh and the young sailor apparition[00:11:30] - The spirit’s warning and the connection to the Lancastria disaster[00:13:51] - James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder and the “Little Bastard” legend[00:16:20] - Alec Guinness’s warning and the fatal crash that followed[00:19:19] - Rumors of curses around the wreck, parts, and later accidents[00:22:11] - The Tay Bridge disaster and the man who avoided the doomed train[00:26:59] - Later sightings of a phantom train near the Tay Bridge line[00:28:53] - The story’s literary retelling and closing thoughtsRelevant Links ListTitanic history overview: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Titanic-shipTitanic Belfast museum: https://titanicbelfast.com/RMS Titanic Inc. / Titanic artifacts and recovery context: https://www.rmstitanicinc.com/James Dean archive and biography: https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-DeanPorsche 550 Spyder background: https://www.porsche.com/international/accessoriesandservice/classic/models/550-spyder/Tay Bridge disaster overview: https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst2099.htmlNational Records of Scotland: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/The Lancastria disaster history: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-lancastria-disasterMorgan Robertson’s Futility info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futility,_or_the_Wreck_of_the_TitanWhite Star Line history: https://www.white-star.co.uk/The episode closes with a recurring theme throughout the discussion: some disasters seem to leave a story behind them that outlives the event itself. Whether you interpret these moments as warnings, psychic impressions, or coincidence, the emotional weight of each story is unmistakable.And if transport can carry more than people and cargo, maybe it can also carry memory.