The Investigation
We decided that it would be more effective to split into two teams to cover as many areas as possible. The team was split as follows:
Team 1 – Mark, Domenic & Maureen
Team 2 – Lisa, Stewart, Paul & Helena
The Laiche House (Team 1)
Temp – 21 Degrees
Team 1 started their investigation in the Laiche House by conducting a filmed EVP recording session. An analogue recorder fitted with a parabolic microphone was set up just outside the Laiche House, in the main close. The EVP session was slightly delayed by the fact that 3 of our audio recorders required fresh batteries. These recorders had been fitted with new batteries and tested only a short time before hand. We have ruled out the possibility of faulty batteries as the new ones fitted came from different batches and were fitted by two different people. Throughout the EVP recording session in this area, every team member experienced feelings of a drop in temperature with cold breezes apparently moving around us. On investigation we could not find a source for the draughts that we were experiencing and our temperature gauges confirmed temperature drops of up to 4 degrees.
We asked a series of relevant questions and our 5 audio recorders that were running did pick up on apparent responses but unfortunately, on analysis, they were too distorted to make out any clear words. On reviewing the analogue recorder that was outside the Laiche House in the main close, we found that the parabolic microphone batteries were dead and had only recorded for approx 1 minute. Again, these batteries had been replaced prior to the investigation starting. Our camcorders did not pick up anything unusual in this area and our digital still photographs produced a few small light anomalies, but nothing substantial. EMF readings remained normal.
Stewart’s Close (Team 1)
Temp – 21 Degrees
Team 1 then moved into Stewart’s Close to conduct more experiments. Various audio recorders were run with a range of different microphone attachments and digital camcorders were used to film the session. During this session all team members at one point heard a rumbling noise coming from the corner of the room. On investigation we were unable to account for this noise but found it interesting that everyone heard it, and found it to be rather strange. Our recorders audio recorders and camcorders did not seem to pick this noise up, strange indeed. As we continued to ask questions, Mark reported feeling a sudden change in his mood. He felt extremely uplifted and reported feelings of ‘unreality’, as if he was dreaming. Mark also reported feeling as if something was trying to pull him up towards the ceiling and that his ability to hear properly was briefly interrupted. Maureen reported smelling a sudden foul smell that seemed to come and go very quickly. Our EVP recordings in this area appeared to be a lot clearer and many responses to our questions were picked up. We found it very interesting that the name ‘McDougall’ was picked up on two different recorders, at two different times during this session, EVP File 1, EVP File 2. Other responses that were recorded included, ‘get out’, ‘Mary’s Close’ EVP File 3, ‘David’ EVP File 4 and ‘you there’ EVP File 5. On analysis of these sound recordings some days after the investigation, Maureen reported picking up a voice that appeared to say ‘happy birthday Mark, son’ EVP File 6. Genuinely unaware of when Mark’s birthday was, she quickly contacted Domenic who verified that Mark’s birthday was indeed only two weeks away.
Nothing unusual was picked up on our camcorders in this area. Our digital still photographs showed some small light anomalies. All EMF and temperature readings remained unchanged.
Story Room/Ghost Room (Team 1)
Temp – 22.9 degrees
The Story Room was the next port of call for team 1. We started by setting up our camcorders and audio equipment to attempt to capture some responses to our presence. The atmosphere in the Story Room was inexplicably and distinctively more serene and peaceful compared to the two previous areas that we had investigated. Feeling relaxed, we proceeded to ask questions in the hope of picking up a response on our recorders. Again, our sound files captured in this area seemed to be much clearer and on analysis we were able to make out the following responses, ‘I’m not a little toerag’, ‘keep it movin' ’EVP File 7 , ‘Mark’, ‘you can help me’ EVP File 8, ‘do you want me’ EVP File 9, ‘David speaking’ EVP File 10, ‘there’s a good boy’ EVP File 11, ‘they are gonna meet me’ EVP File 12, ‘we are here’ EVP File 13 and ‘knew the father’ EVP File 14. Most of these voices were recorded in response to a question and many of them were relevant to the question asked. Our line of questioning was based on many people’s belief that this room is haunted by children, the responses that we recorded seemed to support this belief. Mark heard a voice coming from somewhere near him in the room that sounded like someone talking with a stutter and trying to force out a word. This was audible to the human ear and not heard with the aid of a recorder. We were unable to verify an explanation as to where this voice emanated from.
Our camcorder footage captured during this session produced nothing unusual. Our digital still cameras picked up many light anomalies but all EMF and temperature readings remained unchanged. After this session was completed, we decided to leave a camcorder recording in our absence. On analysis, this footage showed many light anomalies moving round the room after we had departed and some of them in particular seemed to behave in a bizarre fashion. See Video File 1 & Video File2
Annie’s Room (Team 1)
Temp – 20.8 Degrees
Team 1 used the remainder of their time to conduct some brief experiments in Annie’s Room. A small trigger object that had been placed in this area at the beginning of the night’s investigation remained unmoved. Voice recorders and camcorders were run in this area and many questions were asked about Annie, who allegedly haunts this area. On analysis we did seem to get responses to our questions, many of which were extremely distorted and difficult to make out. One voice that did come across clearly was ‘she’s a good girl’ EVP File 15, this came in direct response to us asking if Annie was present in the room with us.
A strange light anomaly was picked up on one of our camcorders in this room just as we entered and were checking our previously placed trigger object. Digital still photographs also produced some light anomalies in this area but all EMF and temperature readings remained unchanged.
Chesney’s House (Team 2)
Temp – 18.5 Degrees
Team 2 commenced their investigation in Chesney’s House by running audio recorders and camcorders to attempt to record any unexplainable activity. As they were sitting up their equipment, the team reported hearing what sounded like a child’s scream. This ‘scream’ was heard by everyone except Lisa who had gone to retrieve another piece of equipment from the base room.
At the beginning of the session, one of the EMF meters registered readings of up to 10 Milligauss, this seemed to fluctuate rapidly, even when the meter was held still. On further investigation it was confirmed that there were no man made electrical sources nearby. The fact that the EMF meter reading continued to fluctuate rapidly when held still, suggested that the electromagnetic field was either moving around the room, or rapidly changing in strength. See Video File 3.
Lisa reported the feeling of being touched on her knee in this area and other team members were very aware of a feeling of dread on entering the room. Helena reported the smell of ’cookies’ and ‘smoke’, these were also verified by Stewart before the smells suddenly vanished.
The whole of team 2 witnessed what sounded like knocking noises, a door being slammed and footsteps during their time in Chesney’s House. Colds sensations were also felt by the team at various times but the temperature gauges did not register any distinctive change.
On analysis of the sound files captured in this area, many of the files remained very distorted, but at one point there is what appears to be an aggressive sounding voice shouting ‘get out’ EVP File 16, this voice was heard by the team at the time of recording. Other responses captured included, 'where are you' EVP File 17, 'you have to help me' EVP File 18, 'yes, be quiet' EVP File 19, 'Chesney, we have got it' EVP File 20. Camcorder footage did not show any unusual visual phenomena but did pick up on a noise heard by the team during the vigil. See Video File 4. Temperature readings remained normal. Some small light anomalies were picked up on the digital still cameras.
The Windows Room (Team 2)
Temp – 17 Degrees
Team 2 moved into the Windows Room for the next part of their investigation and started in this area with their camcorders and audio recorders. Paul immediately reported seeing the shadow of a figure towards the end of the room, on the stairwell. The team agreed that this could have been due to the low level of light emanating from the emergency lighting, which could play tricks on the eyes, but could not completely verify a reason for the shadow. Interestingly enough, shadowed figures have been spotted before in this exact area. In response to the shadow being witnessed, the teams asked for the apparent presence to come closer and all heard some low banging noises coming from the same area. It was observed that these bangs could have been interpreted as light footsteps. The team also heard a bang in response to asking for for a noise. See Video File 5 . As this session continued Lisa reported hearing what sounded like a child’s laughter, none of the other team members heard this at the time. After analysing the film footage, Lisa was delighted on finding out that the child’s laughter has been picked up very clearly on one of our camcorders. See Video File 6 , please concentrate on the small voice whilst the team are chatting at the beginning of the clip. We found this to be very interesting indeed and Lisa was able to stop questioning her own sanity! The audio files captured in this area produced many distorted files, the team members described the files as sounding like ‘mumbling voices ’. One audio file that captured everyone’s attention from this session was the name ‘Alan Simpson ’, picked up very clearly indeed EVP File 21.
Camcorder footage in this area produced nothing unusual, and all temperature and EMF readings remained unchanged. Some light anomalies were picked up on the digital still cameras.
Plague Room/Cowshed (All team members)
Temp – Cowshed 19.5 Degrees, Plague Room 20.8 Degrees
To end the investigation, the team all gathered together in the Plague Room to attempt some final experiments. A filmed table tipping session was conducted to attempt to induce some unexplainable table movement. We attempted this for quite some time without too much response. Past table tipping experiments in this area had proven quite successful but on this occasion we did not experience anything unusual except some slight vibrations. We agreed that these vibrations could have been caused by involuntary movement by the participants, tiredness was setting in rapidly. However, some teams members did feeling that the table was trying to ‘lift’, we were unable to verify this. During this session, Lisa reported the feeling of being on a boat, as if she was rocking back and forwards. The feeling quickly left her on departing this area. A few members of the team reported feeling very hot whilst in the Plague Room, we did put this down to the fact that there were seven people within a small area with combined body heat most probably being responsible.
Light anomalies were picked up on one of our camcorders and low banging noises were heard apparently emanating from one corner of the room. We could not verify the source of these noises. EMF readings in this area remained normal and temperature readings did show some slight fluctuations. Digital still photographs showed an abundance of light anomalies in this area.
During an earlier part of the investigation, various camcorders were left recording in the Plague Room and the Cowshed in our absence. On reviewing this footage we had captured many strange light anomalies in the Plague Room. Also captured is what sounds like a whistle and a voice very close to the camcorder. See Video File 7 , please click here for a clearer amplified version of this audio file. Again, similar to the Story Room, some of these lights appeared to behave in a strange and almost intelligent manner. The footage captured in the Cowshed produced nothing unusual.
Summary
The results of our investigation in this truly fantastic location showed distinctively more audible phenomena than anything else. We were also very interested in the almost intelligent behaviour of some of the light anomalies that were captured by our camcorders, mostly captured in our absence in locked off areas. Our EVP files certainly produced some interesting objective evidence. All in all, a successful investigation and we very much look forward to our next visit to The Real Mary King’s Close. We would like to say a big thank you to the staff of The Real Mary King’s Close for permitting us to investigate such a fabulous, historical location.
Visit the The Real Mary King’s Close at www.realmarykingsclose.com
To take part in regular ghost vigils and experiments in The Real Mary King's Close please visit www.ghostevents.co.uk |
