Just wondered if anyone had firsthand experience of the supposed McKenzie Poltergeist that 'lives' in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland???
Hoagy
Full Version: Edinburgh Poltergeist
Unexplained Mysteries Discussion Forums > Unexplained Mysteries > Ghosts, Hauntings & The Paranormal
Hey, I am a newbie.
Just wondered if anyone had firsthand experience of the supposed McKenzie Poltergeist that 'lives' in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland???
Hoagy
Just wondered if anyone had firsthand experience of the supposed McKenzie Poltergeist that 'lives' in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland???
Hoagy
Yes I heard they stoped giving tours for awile because people were getting hurt, I don't know if thats true or not 
here are some cool links
http://www.blackhart.uk.com/cod/
http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/mandytodd/mackenziepolt.html
here are some cool links
http://www.blackhart.uk.com/cod/
http://www.angelfire.com/poetry/mandytodd/mackenziepolt.html
Nope no experiences myself but still, a creepy tour.I know a few people who claim to have seen things on the graveyard.One of my friends came home from the tour a few years ago with some strange scratches on his arm. 
QUOTE(Aeon @ Feb 13 2005, 03:28 PM)
Nope no experiences myself but still, a creepy tour.I know a few people who claim to have seen things on the graveyard.One of my friends came home from the tour a few years ago with some strange scratches on his arm. [right][snapback]486600[/snapback][/right]
I did actually go on the tour, and took photos. Some interesting images came out. As soon as I can get to a scanner I am going to post them up.
H
I did a post on Greyfriars back in December 2003 ~ here it is
'I expect most of you have heard of the infamous ‘Mackenzie Poltergeist, but for those of you who haven’t – here ya go:
The background to the story is as follows~
Theoretically, a homeless man looking for shelter came into the graveyard looking for shelter on a rainy December night. The gate had been left unlocked by mistake. (In The Ghost That Haunted Itself, the BBC gets the blame for driving a truck into the east gates). This homeless man then decided to try to get into Mackenzie’s tomb, as it was one of the most sheltered ones in the whole graveyard.
He looked through the grille at the front and must have seen a small crack of light. Intrigued by the light, he climbed over some railings and saw a small opening at the back of the tomb where it nearly connects with the graveyard wall- the railings run between the mausoleums near the wall. (In recent years the railings have managed to come down one way or another, vandalism, but now anyone can get to the back of Mackenzie’s tomb. There is a very tiny aperture and it’s possible a small person could squeeze through. Only just, but stranger things have happened and were just about to.)
The homeless man found he could fit through and, once inside, saw there was a stairway down to a vault below where the bodies actually went. He found several coffins and attempted to open one, as there may have been something valuable buried with the bodies- they were nobility, after all.
Meanwhile, a man was walking his dog in the graveyard. He heard the homeless man trying to get into the coffin, and wandered towards the tomb wondering what was making the noise. Then the homeless man fell through a hole in the floor into a pit full of mouldy skeletons. As you would be, he was terrified, screamed, and ran out of the tomb. The dog walking man thought he was Mackenzie’s ghost and ran away. The homeless man thought the dog-walker was running away from a zombie behind him and ran after him.
We can only assume the dog walker informed the police about this because apparently they investigated the tomb. And burial methods were always just plain random in that graveyard.
A little while after this disturbance the Mackenzie Poltergeist became active.
The first instance was at the Mackenzie Mausoleum when a woman looking through the grille at the front was knocked backwards by a blast of cold air.
‘City Of The Dead Tours’ (run a tour around Greyfriars, and this tour is the only way to get into the Black Mausoleum) put forward these disturbances as what started up the poltergeist. It was named ‘The Mackenzie Poltergeist’ after the fact the first attack was by his tomb.
However, that was the only incident around Mackenzie’s tomb. After that the poltergeist moved into The Black Mausoleum, a little tomb in the Covenanter’s Prison with no connection to Mackenzie.
There’s not any evidence that the poltergeist is the ghost of *anything*. It’s never spoken- although laughing and growling has been heard - but it certainly hasn’t shown any signs of being a person.
Some Local news headlines ~
Ghost tour operators today claimed a notorious Edinburgh poltergeist has gone into overdrive - allegedly attacking at least 20 tourists in the last month.
The ghost of 17th century nobleman Sir George MacKenzie, which is said to haunt the Covenanters Prison in Greyfriars Kirkyard, is said to have been increasingly lashing out over the last month.
Tourists claim they have been left with scratches, welt marks, bruises and feelings of nausea, with some saying they have been knocked to the ground.
Jan Henderson, director of the City of the Dead Tour at the Kirk, said: "I have no idea why there has been such an increase in this spate of attacks The poltergeist has gone into overdrive over the last month with 20 single incidents.
"All the tour guides are experiencing tourists passing out, being scratched and bruised. I think it is great because when I started the tours I was a cynic so if there is something there then wonderful.
"They [tourists] have all collapsed at the door of the mausoleum, which shows it isn’t psychosomatic, because they didn’t know everyone falls down there. "
Suzannah Shields, 27, an advertising manager from Sheffield, said after going on the late night tour a large blood blister the size of a thumb appeared under her left eye the next morning.
"It didn’t hurt but it was horrible and took a week to go."
And Karyn Perrin, 37, a legal assistant living in London, said she had a painful experience when she visited the prison. "I felt light-headed, I had pins and needles and didn’t feel like my hands were mine. I kept fighting it but felt nauseous and had palpitations. That’s when I got hit in the head, it was inside like my brain was being slapped. I managed to get out and couldn’t stop crying. It was like I was grieving."
• Story originally published by:
The Edinburgh Evening News / Scotland - Sept 17.01
Scottish Graveyard
Scene Of 80 Ghostly Attacks In 18 Months
[Original headline: Ghost fear of tourists at Greyfriar’s Kirkyard]
It is claimed to be one of the spookiest places in Edinburgh.
And now a whole book of tourists’ tales about ghouls, ghosts and poltergeists in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard have been published in a book.
More than 80 people say they have been attacked in the last 18 months at the Black Mausoleum, where the 17th century judge, Lord Advocate Sir George MacKenzie, is buried.
Their witness statements appear in The Ghost That Haunted Itself.
The graveyard was supposed to have been exorcised last year by an Edinburgh clairvoyant. The Rev Colin Grant later said he thought the experience would kill him and weeks later, he dropped dead.
In the book, an 11-year-old boy also describes how mysterious injuries appeared on his body.
Kevin Marks, from Yorkshire, wrote: "When I was standing in the tomb, something soft, like cotton wool, was touching my eyes and cheek. There was nobody doing this to me. The next day I woke up with a black eye and scratches on my face and neck."
Tourist Mandy Burgen, 38, from Cornwall, wrote: "In the tomb, I felt a pain, just above my chest. After the tour, I unfastened my top and found a large red mark where the pain had been.
"I showed it to the others and, as they looked, three welts rose up in the same place. The next day they were gone."
So just what is it?
A hoax dreamt up by the tourist board and a tour group? Over-active imaginations? The ‘Pheromone Theory’ put into practise? Mass hysteria?
This may explain the attacks within the groups, but what of the hauntings in the houses that back onto Greyfriars? Some residents report odd goings on their homes………….'
Having visited the kirkyard I feel that it is a a big wind-up, and that people who claim to be attacked have been so frightened that they have caused their own injuries, albeit sunconciously!
Then again - what the hell do I know??
Hammy x x x
'I expect most of you have heard of the infamous ‘Mackenzie Poltergeist, but for those of you who haven’t – here ya go:
The background to the story is as follows~
Theoretically, a homeless man looking for shelter came into the graveyard looking for shelter on a rainy December night. The gate had been left unlocked by mistake. (In The Ghost That Haunted Itself, the BBC gets the blame for driving a truck into the east gates). This homeless man then decided to try to get into Mackenzie’s tomb, as it was one of the most sheltered ones in the whole graveyard.
He looked through the grille at the front and must have seen a small crack of light. Intrigued by the light, he climbed over some railings and saw a small opening at the back of the tomb where it nearly connects with the graveyard wall- the railings run between the mausoleums near the wall. (In recent years the railings have managed to come down one way or another, vandalism, but now anyone can get to the back of Mackenzie’s tomb. There is a very tiny aperture and it’s possible a small person could squeeze through. Only just, but stranger things have happened and were just about to.)
The homeless man found he could fit through and, once inside, saw there was a stairway down to a vault below where the bodies actually went. He found several coffins and attempted to open one, as there may have been something valuable buried with the bodies- they were nobility, after all.
Meanwhile, a man was walking his dog in the graveyard. He heard the homeless man trying to get into the coffin, and wandered towards the tomb wondering what was making the noise. Then the homeless man fell through a hole in the floor into a pit full of mouldy skeletons. As you would be, he was terrified, screamed, and ran out of the tomb. The dog walking man thought he was Mackenzie’s ghost and ran away. The homeless man thought the dog-walker was running away from a zombie behind him and ran after him.
We can only assume the dog walker informed the police about this because apparently they investigated the tomb. And burial methods were always just plain random in that graveyard.
A little while after this disturbance the Mackenzie Poltergeist became active.
The first instance was at the Mackenzie Mausoleum when a woman looking through the grille at the front was knocked backwards by a blast of cold air.
‘City Of The Dead Tours’ (run a tour around Greyfriars, and this tour is the only way to get into the Black Mausoleum) put forward these disturbances as what started up the poltergeist. It was named ‘The Mackenzie Poltergeist’ after the fact the first attack was by his tomb.
However, that was the only incident around Mackenzie’s tomb. After that the poltergeist moved into The Black Mausoleum, a little tomb in the Covenanter’s Prison with no connection to Mackenzie.
There’s not any evidence that the poltergeist is the ghost of *anything*. It’s never spoken- although laughing and growling has been heard - but it certainly hasn’t shown any signs of being a person.
Some Local news headlines ~
Ghost tour operators today claimed a notorious Edinburgh poltergeist has gone into overdrive - allegedly attacking at least 20 tourists in the last month.
The ghost of 17th century nobleman Sir George MacKenzie, which is said to haunt the Covenanters Prison in Greyfriars Kirkyard, is said to have been increasingly lashing out over the last month.
Tourists claim they have been left with scratches, welt marks, bruises and feelings of nausea, with some saying they have been knocked to the ground.
Jan Henderson, director of the City of the Dead Tour at the Kirk, said: "I have no idea why there has been such an increase in this spate of attacks The poltergeist has gone into overdrive over the last month with 20 single incidents.
"All the tour guides are experiencing tourists passing out, being scratched and bruised. I think it is great because when I started the tours I was a cynic so if there is something there then wonderful.
"They [tourists] have all collapsed at the door of the mausoleum, which shows it isn’t psychosomatic, because they didn’t know everyone falls down there. "
Suzannah Shields, 27, an advertising manager from Sheffield, said after going on the late night tour a large blood blister the size of a thumb appeared under her left eye the next morning.
"It didn’t hurt but it was horrible and took a week to go."
And Karyn Perrin, 37, a legal assistant living in London, said she had a painful experience when she visited the prison. "I felt light-headed, I had pins and needles and didn’t feel like my hands were mine. I kept fighting it but felt nauseous and had palpitations. That’s when I got hit in the head, it was inside like my brain was being slapped. I managed to get out and couldn’t stop crying. It was like I was grieving."
• Story originally published by:
The Edinburgh Evening News / Scotland - Sept 17.01
Scottish Graveyard
Scene Of 80 Ghostly Attacks In 18 Months
[Original headline: Ghost fear of tourists at Greyfriar’s Kirkyard]
It is claimed to be one of the spookiest places in Edinburgh.
And now a whole book of tourists’ tales about ghouls, ghosts and poltergeists in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard have been published in a book.
More than 80 people say they have been attacked in the last 18 months at the Black Mausoleum, where the 17th century judge, Lord Advocate Sir George MacKenzie, is buried.
Their witness statements appear in The Ghost That Haunted Itself.
The graveyard was supposed to have been exorcised last year by an Edinburgh clairvoyant. The Rev Colin Grant later said he thought the experience would kill him and weeks later, he dropped dead.
In the book, an 11-year-old boy also describes how mysterious injuries appeared on his body.
Kevin Marks, from Yorkshire, wrote: "When I was standing in the tomb, something soft, like cotton wool, was touching my eyes and cheek. There was nobody doing this to me. The next day I woke up with a black eye and scratches on my face and neck."
Tourist Mandy Burgen, 38, from Cornwall, wrote: "In the tomb, I felt a pain, just above my chest. After the tour, I unfastened my top and found a large red mark where the pain had been.
"I showed it to the others and, as they looked, three welts rose up in the same place. The next day they were gone."
So just what is it?
A hoax dreamt up by the tourist board and a tour group? Over-active imaginations? The ‘Pheromone Theory’ put into practise? Mass hysteria?
This may explain the attacks within the groups, but what of the hauntings in the houses that back onto Greyfriars? Some residents report odd goings on their homes………….'
Having visited the kirkyard I feel that it is a a big wind-up, and that people who claim to be attacked have been so frightened that they have caused their own injuries, albeit sunconciously!
Then again - what the hell do I know??
Hammy x x x
Hi there,
Just got back from Scotland. Whilst there we went on The City of The Dead Tour which visited the Greyfriars Churhyard and the Mackenzie Poltergeist. (Which was really cool). Did not really feel anything during the tour but we decided to go back on our own the following day. I have to say this is one of the creepyest places I have ever been. There is something not right about this place.
Just got back from Scotland. Whilst there we went on The City of The Dead Tour which visited the Greyfriars Churhyard and the Mackenzie Poltergeist. (Which was really cool). Did not really feel anything during the tour but we decided to go back on our own the following day. I have to say this is one of the creepyest places I have ever been. There is something not right about this place.
goooood! keep em coming, and thanks for the info, Hammy 
Hoagy
Hoagy
I wish I could go 
QUOTE(Hoagy @ Feb 11 2005, 09:31 PM)
Hey, I am a newbie.
Just wondered if anyone had firsthand experience of the supposed McKenzie Poltergeist that 'lives' in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland???
Hoagy
[right][snapback]484127[/snapback][/right]
Just wondered if anyone had firsthand experience of the supposed McKenzie Poltergeist that 'lives' in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland???
Hoagy
[right][snapback]484127[/snapback][/right]
Hi There,
I am heading for Edinburgh this afternoon. Top of my list of things to do will be a visit to Greyfriars Churchyard.
Many, many years ago when I was 17 my friend and I rented a flat overlooking the graveyard for a week during the summer. One evening while sitting in the living room a chill descended, I am talking a real chill. Then we sensed a presence of some sort. We knew nothing about the terrible history of the churchyard. I cannot describe how scared we were. The memory of that event has stayed with me and I have often wondred what it was all about.
Christmas 2004 I given a book about the Mackenzie Poltergeist, I believe I may now have my answer. My experience matches those in the book and actually predates any of the described activity.
I have a booking for the City of the Dead tour tomorrow, Wednesday.
QUOTE(runner @ Mar 29 2005, 02:11 AM)
QUOTE(Hoagy @ Feb 11 2005, 09:31 PM)
Hey, I am a newbie.
Just wondered if anyone had firsthand experience of the supposed McKenzie Poltergeist that 'lives' in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland???
Hoagy
[right][snapback]484127[/snapback][/right]
Just wondered if anyone had firsthand experience of the supposed McKenzie Poltergeist that 'lives' in Greyfriars churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland???
Hoagy
[right][snapback]484127[/snapback][/right]
Hi There,
I am heading for Edinburgh this afternoon. Top of my list of things to do will be a visit to Greyfriars Churchyard.
Many, many years ago when I was 17 my friend and I rented a flat overlooking the graveyard for a week during the summer. One evening while sitting in the living room a chill descended, I am talking a real chill. Then we sensed a presence of some sort. We knew nothing about the terrible history of the churchyard. I cannot describe how scared we were. The memory of that event has stayed with me and I have often wondred what it was all about.
Christmas 2004 I given a book about the Mackenzie Poltergeist, I believe I may now have my answer. My experience matches those in the book and actually predates any of the described activity.
I have a booking for the City of the Dead tour tomorrow, Wednesday.
[right][snapback]546626[/snapback][/right]
Excellent, I am sure you will enjoy the tour. I have the book called 'The Ghost That Haunted Itself' is that the one you are referring to? It's a fascinating read, some of it can be a bit repetitive, but very rewarding.
Have fun on the tour, and be sure to lets us know if you meet ol' McKenzie!
Hoagy
Hey guys, this is my first ever post on this board. I just wanted to tell you about last weekend when I went on the City of the Dead tour.
First of all this is an excellent tour! I really recommend it, our guide was brilliant and it was very interesting.
When we were in the Black Mausoleum (sp?) It was creepy and claustrophobic but not overly terrifying. Until we heard the banging. And this time it wasn't that annoying drunk guy at the back (who'd actaully been rude enough to answer his mobile during the tour!) The banging was really quiet and I dont think many people heard it. It was weird, it sounded close yet, muffled as if it was coming from inside the walls. I whispered to my friend and asked if she could hear it and she said she could. We didn't say anything though.
Nothing major happened to anyone in the group, we all left happy, laughing at ourselves for being frightened and chatting to each other. Then my friend mentioned to me that her shoulder had started hurting when she got into the tomb. She said it was like someone squeezed it with their thumb and middle finger (she demonstrated on me and it really hurt! Lol) Then when we got home and checked it there was a big red mark on her shoulder.
This sounds a bit silly compared with all the faintings and other experiences I've heard about but I just thought I'd tell you anyway.
And if you're ever in Edinburgh you really should check out the tour cause its so much fun!
First of all this is an excellent tour! I really recommend it, our guide was brilliant and it was very interesting.
When we were in the Black Mausoleum (sp?) It was creepy and claustrophobic but not overly terrifying. Until we heard the banging. And this time it wasn't that annoying drunk guy at the back (who'd actaully been rude enough to answer his mobile during the tour!) The banging was really quiet and I dont think many people heard it. It was weird, it sounded close yet, muffled as if it was coming from inside the walls. I whispered to my friend and asked if she could hear it and she said she could. We didn't say anything though.
Nothing major happened to anyone in the group, we all left happy, laughing at ourselves for being frightened and chatting to each other. Then my friend mentioned to me that her shoulder had started hurting when she got into the tomb. She said it was like someone squeezed it with their thumb and middle finger (she demonstrated on me and it really hurt! Lol) Then when we got home and checked it there was a big red mark on her shoulder.
This sounds a bit silly compared with all the faintings and other experiences I've heard about but I just thought I'd tell you anyway.
And if you're ever in Edinburgh you really should check out the tour cause its so much fun!
That's great!
I am glad that the tours are still going on, as there was speculation at one point if they were going to continue them. Can you remember which guide you had? We had Kate, and she was an excellent guide. I chatted to her for quite a while afterwards. Unfortunately (?) I did'nt get any marks or scratches or anything, but I did get some interesting photos.
I am glad that the tours are still going on, as there was speculation at one point if they were going to continue them. Can you remember which guide you had? We had Kate, and she was an excellent guide. I chatted to her for quite a while afterwards. Unfortunately (?) I did'nt get any marks or scratches or anything, but I did get some interesting photos.
and if you look at stinky linky the April 27th entry is me...
Our guide was Newton. Me and my friend nicknamed him Isaac. Aren't we just sooooo original! 
Lol. Anyway, Newton was great and he had sexy hair.
Lol. Anyway, Newton was great and he had sexy hair.
Hey guys
I own a paranormal investigation organisation here in Scotland and we have done a investigation at the location. Nothing to bad happened there but we did get some top class EVP and our guest a reporter from a local newspaper lasted 10 min and left due to seeing something move near the bottom of the area.
It is a great place and if you like that why not try the Vaults and Mary Kings close too.
I own a paranormal investigation organisation here in Scotland and we have done a investigation at the location. Nothing to bad happened there but we did get some top class EVP and our guest a reporter from a local newspaper lasted 10 min and left due to seeing something move near the bottom of the area.
It is a great place and if you like that why not try the Vaults and Mary Kings close too.
QUOTE(Ryan@Scottish-Paranormal @ Apr 6 2005, 01:44 AM)
Hey guys
I own a paranormal investigation organisation here in Scotland and we have done a investigation at the location. Nothing to bad happened there but we did get some top class EVP and our guest a reporter from a local newspaper lasted 10 min and left due to seeing something move near the bottom of the area.
It is a great place and if you like that why not try the Vaults and Mary Kings close too.
[right][snapback]559317[/snapback][/right]
I own a paranormal investigation organisation here in Scotland and we have done a investigation at the location. Nothing to bad happened there but we did get some top class EVP and our guest a reporter from a local newspaper lasted 10 min and left due to seeing something move near the bottom of the area.
It is a great place and if you like that why not try the Vaults and Mary Kings close too.
[right][snapback]559317[/snapback][/right]
I think I did those when I was there. Edinburgh is a first-class place, very unusual, even down to the layout and architechture. I would be very keen to check out the EVP you recorded, could you put it up for us???
Yes i will try and get it for you as soon as i can. We caught it on a regular camcorder we use and the team technician is in search for a new DV cable to transfer it to PC and on to our site.
We have one piece of sound caught at a location just 10 miles from Edinburgh in a flat of Victorian age. The owner and family moved out after experiencing some very strange going ons.
On our main site under footage there is a couple of clips up of the Covenanter's but they are to dark to see really and under them you will see cowdenbeath clip where Rachel, mike and Stuart are sitting at a table and something made a spooky sound. Turn your volume up loud to catch it and see what you think
Back to topic as soon as we locate this cable and get a wee bit time i will let you know the EVP is up on site.
We have one piece of sound caught at a location just 10 miles from Edinburgh in a flat of Victorian age. The owner and family moved out after experiencing some very strange going ons.
On our main site under footage there is a couple of clips up of the Covenanter's but they are to dark to see really and under them you will see cowdenbeath clip where Rachel, mike and Stuart are sitting at a table and something made a spooky sound. Turn your volume up loud to catch it and see what you think
Back to topic as soon as we locate this cable and get a wee bit time i will let you know the EVP is up on site.
excellent, thanks! I am sure I am not the only one who wants to check it out, cheers!
Hoagy
Hoagy
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.