Investigation Report
Eglinton Castle Training Investigation - 23rd June 2007
In attendance were:-
Ian McCallum - WOSPR Founder
Alison McCallum - WOSPR Co-Founder
Brian Kelly - former Investigator-in-training
Susan Cocozza - Investigator-in-training
Tommy Miller - Investigator-in-training
Alison and I met up with Brian, Susan and Tommy at
22.20hrs outside the Visitor’s Centre in Eglinton Country Park for a training
investigation. Little did we realise that there was a classic motorcycle meet on
with an ensuing rock band playing loudly.
The aim of this night’s activity was to familiar the new members with WOSPR’s
investigative techniques and equipment use. After a wee chat, we made our way
towards the castle ruins some quarter of a mile away from the main car park.
We arrived at the ruins as the dusk quickly hastened the days end. We proceeded
to go over the Investigative Guidelines and with no questions our attention
turned to the equipment and its use.
We started with the Baseline Tests as these are standard for every location and
investigation. We used Susan’s Environmental Meter which has an ambient air
temperature probe facility on it. The air temperature measured in the centre of
the castle ruins was 10.7°C at 23.00hrs. I decided that Tommy could measure the
air temperature readings for the rest of the investigation.
Breaking out the Dr Gauss EMF meter, I proceeded to introduce the new
Investigators to its use and the various theories that surround EMF and the
paranormal. My personal view is that high EMF can and does cause hallucinations,
rather than the perceived wisdom that ghosts “cause” EMF. The EMF reading in the
centre of the castle ruins was 0mg. Brian took over the role for the rest of the
night of measuring EMF. Susan became the note taker and also observed the others
activities so that she could get familiar with the use of this equipment. My
idea is to rotate the different investigators so that they can become used to
and proficient with most of the pieces of investigative equipment. At this point
I started to video the proceedings using my Sony camcorder set to NightShot
mode.
We then proceeded onto a freestanding wing that is the only remaining structure
left of the castle apart from a solitary tower. Our roles changed somewhat from
paranormal investigators to architectural detectives in figuring out the
mysteries of what this remaining part of the building was, apart from being a
wing… We could tell where there once had been stairs, beam slots in the walls
and fireplaces. We were trying to figure out in our mind’s eye what the place
looked like in its opulent heyday.
After examining the remaining wing’s small tower and walls, we put away the EMF
meter and ambient air temperature probe as no readings were indicating anything
of a potential paranormal nature. We proceeded to the front of the wing where I
pointed out some interesting architectural features and Brian point out some
other likewise interesting building nuances.
Whilst discussing these finer points of this fantastic ruin, both Susan and
Tommy thought they saw movement over my shoulder, but dismissed it as some of
the abundant wildlife down in the park, e.g. deer, etc.
At this point, we headed back up towards the remaining freestanding tower and
examined the structure. We noted the modern concrete lined walls and stairs
within, a sure sign of the 20th century refurbishment by one of the preceding
local authorities.
At this point we moved off and Brian thought we felt a “cold spot”. I called
Tommy over with the ambient air temperature probe, but nothing was noted other
than an ambient air temperature of between 9.2°C and 9.4°C. The surrounding EMF
was 0mg. I noticed that Brian was standing next to a banking with a high wall.
My thinking was that as cold air is heavier than warm air, he was feeling a
natural cold draught caused by the cold “sink” of the banking pulling the cold
air downwards towards him.
At this point I stopped filming so that we could split off into 2 team to do
some EVP Q&A session, both teams maintaining radio contact as required. Alison
led one group consisting of her and Brian and I led the other group consisting
if me, Susan and Tommy. Alison’s team went of to the freestanding wing and my
team went away to do a walk round of the outside perimeter of the ruins.
I explained to Susan and Tommy the usual format the EVP session take, question
followed by a 10-15 sec gap so an answer could be formulated, etc. With this in
mind I started the session by asking if there were any spirits there and names
etc. After a few minutes we decided to walk around the rest of the ruins looking
at interesting marks on the stonework maybe left by the masons who build
Eglinton Castle. During this time the bikers who were holding their rally about
half a mile away could be heard revving some of their bikes engines - this can
be clearly heard in the audio track of the recorder. Brian’s recorder also
picked this up as he was some 200-300 yards closer to the rally than we were.
Our team thought they heard something like a stick being dropped behind us,
which happens to be a small wooded area. There could be a perfectly natural
explanation for this. Further on around the ruins, Susan thought she was a mist
in the hedges and undergrowth, but again she put this down to a trick of the
light as our torches converged. After some 17-18 mins, I radioed through to
Alison’s team and decided to call a halt to the EVP sessions as time was
marching on and we were all getting fatigued by this point, plus getting eaten
alive by the infamous Scottish midges!
We concluded the training investigation at approx 00.30hrs and made our way back
to the car park. We took a team photograph as a memento of the night’s
activities. We parted company and went our separate ways for the night…
Investigative Results...
EMF results - 0mg throughout the whole investigation (all areas).
Ambient Air Temperature - ranging from 10.7°C to 9.0°C at the investigation’s
conclusion.
No video anomalies detected…
2 potential EVPs detected - The 1st one was by my team just 22 secs into me
started the EVP session. The 2nd was by Alison’s team on Brian’s recorder.
Conclusion... With only 2 possible EVPs and no video evidence, there simply is insufficient evidence to say that Eglinton Castle is haunted. However, there maybe enough cause to warrant another more intensive investigation.
Video Clip
Group Shot
Daytime location shots
Copyright © 2007 WOSPR.