Borders Ghosts, Folklore and Forteana
Pearlin Jean
Location: Allanton - Allanbank Hall (no longer standing)
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This female spook, named after its lacy dress, is said to have resisted several exorcism attempts while the building stood. One witness said he had seen the phantom sitting upon a gateway, her clothing covered in blood.
Romans of Parade
Location: Bonchester Bridge - A6088
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A phantom Roman legion is said to march along this road, coming from the direction of Chesters.
Stable Boy
Location: Carlops - Allan Ramsay Hotel
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: 2010s?
Further Comments: Paranormal investigators who visited the hotel reported seeing the apparition of a stable boy, whilst another claimed to have had his bed shaken by a pair of unseen hands.
Horse-Like Monster
Location: Cauldshiels Loch - Waters of the loch
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: Late eighteenth / early nineteenth century
Further Comments: Sir Walter Scott wrote that people he had known had encountered a horse-like monster in this loch.
Dasher
Location: Cessford - Marlfield House
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This entity, while invisible, can be felt as it moves quickly along the corridors of the building.
Legs
Location: Coldingham - Houndwood House
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Only the lower part of this ghost has been seen, striding around the building. Another entity known as 'Chappie' took the form of a woman clad in silk; after knocking on the front door, she entered and ascended the staircase before disappearing never to be seen again.
Voices
Location: Cranshaws - Cranshaws Parish Church
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: March 2015
Further Comments: A photographer at work inside the church heard people walking towards the door and a child say 'Mum, I want to tell'. The photographer opened the door to let the people in, but there was no sign of anyone, and nothing more could be heard.
Brownie
Location: Cranshaws - Cranshaws Tower
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This friendly entity would help keep the building clean and tidy, though it left for good after a servant criticised the quality of its work.
Merlin's Grave
Location: Drumelzier - Thorn tree in a meadow close to the church
Type: Legend
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: According to one legend, the mighty magician Merlin was killed by shepherds close to this spot and was promptly buried.
Alexander Hay
Location: Duns - Duns Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Hays was killed at Waterloo but returned home regardless. Another soldier, this time a young teenager, loiters around the building that was once his former barracks.
Edwardian Woman
Location: Duns - Manderston House
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: This misty figure is believed to be the wife of Sir James Miller.
Puma
Location: Earlston - General area
Type: ABC
Date / Time: 1983
Further Comments: Several witnesses reported seeing a large golden cat in the area, though it soon vanished without trace.
Rocking Figure
Location: Eddleston - Barony Castle Hotel
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A former owner has been seen in a rocking chair, accompanied by the scent of brandy and cigars. A faceless woman in a blue dress has also been seen rushing through the corridors, while one room is said to be haunted by a lady who stands at the bottom of the bed.
Vanishing Piper
Location: Ednam - Nearby mound known as the Piper's Grave (aka Pict's Knowe)
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Believing the fairies within the mound would teach him new tunes, a piper entered to seek enlightenment. He was never seen again.
Poor Curse
Location: Ettrick - Ettrick Hall (no longer standing, was located top of Ettrick Water)
Type: Curse
Date / Time: 1700 onwards
Further Comments: Legend has it that James Anderson demolished several cottages to clear space for the construction of the hall. Left homeless and penniless, the villagers cursed the building, saying that the structure would not stand for long. Indeed, all trace of the hall has long been removed.
Shellycoat
Location: Ettrick Waters - River
Type: Fairy
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: Shellycoat was the name given to a playful water spirit which dressed in a shell covered jacket. He normally carried out his antics while hiding in the river, trying to lure the gullible forever closer to the cold waters.
Capybara
Location: Eyemouth - A1, south of town
Type: Cryptozoology
Date / Time: July 2006 and June 2009
Further Comments: This large rodent, not native to the UK, was spotted in 2006, sitting in the middle of the A1. Another creature, or possibly the same one, was spotted three years later at Reston.
Grey Lady
Location: Eyemouth - Gunsgreen House
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: The house, at one time, was said to be haunted by the apparition of a woman in a grey dress.
Singing
Location: Fosterland Burn - Close to a body of water
Type: Other
Date / Time: Summer, midnight, pre twentieth century
Further Comments: It was said that a fairy piper and singers would emerge from the burn and perform at midnight. One local farmer claimed he would listen to them during the summer months. The fairies could be more malicious and on one occasion tired (and failed) to kidnap a baby.
Lucy
Location: Galashiels - Binniemyre Guest House
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Twenty-first century
Further Comments: Known as Lucy, the friendly ghost of a woman in a white dress who very occasionally makes an appearance has been seen throughout the house. Some claim Lucy was jilted at the altar.
Hounds
Location: Galashiels - Buckholm Tower
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: June (reoccurring)
Further Comments: Heard chasing the soul of the evil Laird of Buckholm on the anniversary of his death, these hounds are reported to normally walk the dungeon located within the tower.
Raining Worms
Location: Galashiels - Galashiels Academy
Type: Other
Date / Time: April 2011
Further Comments: Dozens of worms rained down from a cloudless sky resulting in a class and their teacher running for cover. Around 120 worms were recovered from an artificial football pitch and tennis courts after the incident.
Singing
Location: Greenlaw Dean - Where two small bodies of water meet
Type: Other
Date / Time: Pre-twentieth century
Further Comments: The fairies would meet and make merry at this site, where they had access to an ample supply of water.
William of Soulis
Location: Hawick - Hermitage Castle
Type: Haunting Manifestation
Date / Time: Every seven years, last heard 1885 (exact date unknown) (reoccurring)
Further Comments: Murdered by peasants who had grown tired of his wicked ways, William now returns to rendezvous with a wizard deep under the castle ruins. It is said a phantom Mary Queen of Scots haunts the building, though there is no evidence she ever visited. Another entity is also reported here - starved to death in the dungeon, the ghost of Sir Alex Ramsey now walks the castle grounds. In addition to the ghosts, some believe there is hidden treasure under the ruins of the castle, but the Devil watches over it - when people have tried to dig for the hoard in the past, violent storms have driven them away.
The Devil and his Mum
Location: Helmsdale - Hellmuir Loch (aka Hellmoor Loch?)
Type: Legend - Old Nick
Date / Time: Unknown
Further Comments: A cave by the loch was once home to the devil and his mother, although Old Nick did kill his mum after she slept in and failed to make his porridge for breakfast.
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