A series of ghostly walks and ghoulish events at a number of venues form this the fifth festival of infamous Edinburgh spirits.
Events include trips into the Edinburgh underworld vaults of the "Real" Mary King's Close - a narrow and eerily well-preserved, Old Town close that was sealed off in the 17th century on the site of the City Chambers; ghost storytelling; overnight vigils in the ever-popular Blair Street Vaults and Scottish Mining Museum; and a series of events that new technology in an attempt to answer the age-old question of whether ghosts exist.
2009 Ghost Fest Highlights
- Investigating Haunting Experiences with Dr Ciaran
O'Keeffe and Steve Parsons
Friday 8 May and Saturday 9 May - 7pm to 10.30pm, The Real Mary King's Close
A ‘back-to-basics'
ghost hunt led by two of the country's leading experts on investigating
haunting experiences. There
will also be a chance to meet Dr. Ciaran O'Keeffe on Saturday 9 May at 3pm; and a ‘Following in the Footsteps of Most
Haunted' investigation of The Real Mary King's Close on Sunday 10 May at 8pm, when the two "celebrity" investigators will
investigate the locations where paranormal phenomena were found on the show.
· Ghostwatchlive.com at The
Real Mary King's Close
Saturday
16 May - 10.30pm to 2.30am, Online around the world, open to
anyone
Mary
King's Ghost Fest fans all over the world have an opportunity to
take part in an online investigation of The Real Mary King's Close - the
first in Scotland. The
Ghostwatchlive.com team will investigate, provide historical facts and
alternative insights into this fascinating site. Participants will be
encouraged to observe and join in and pose questions to the team.
- City of
the Dead's Victorian Séance
Friday 15 May - 7pm to 9pm, The Rowan Tree, South Niddry Street Vaults
Join
mind reader David Lesault for a night of old time Victorian spookery in a
specially adapted vault in the legendary Underground City. Feel free to wear 19th Century
garb and get in the spirit of things!
- Without
a Ghost of Chance - ghostly storytelling at The People's Story
Saturday 9 May
- 11am to 1pm; 2pm to 4pm
Explore Edinburgh's more
mysterious and treacherous tales, with many twists and turns into the city's haunted
past. For families and children 6+
(The Museum of
Edinburgh will also be hosting storytelling events on Saturday 9 May - hear the
tales of Witches and Pirates in the Canongate - The Darker Side of the Old Town
)
· The Paradox Experience
Ghost Hunt with North West Spirit Seekers
Friday
15 May - 7pm to
10.30pm, The Real Mary King's Close
Go underground for what is being billed as "one of the most technically advanced ghost hunts ever."
Inventor Paul Rowlands along with North West Spirit Seekers and the help of the
very latest in paranormal experimental equipment will be asking an ancient and
intriguing question - do ghosts exist and can we prove it? This will be
the only opportunity to use this equipment in Mary King's Close this year so
don't miss out! Visitors can then move on to the infamous Blair Street Vaults
to continue this investigation overnight with Mercat Tours.