Scotland (A Very Old Castle)
My Checklist for a Night in a Haunted Castle
I booked a night in an old castle that's said to have a ghost. I came prepared. The ghost did not come at all.
Scotland has many old castles, and plenty of them come with ghost stories. For Halloween, I booked a night in one where, the guide said, a lady in grey walks the halls at midnight. I’m not afraid of ghosts. But I packed carefully.
My Checklist
- Two flashlights. One for me, and a spare for the ghost.
- Snacks. Ghosts don’t eat. I do.
- A notepad. For the interview.
- A camera. Ghosts are shy in photos. I’m not.
- A nightlight. Not for me. For the castle. It’s very old.
The Night
11:58. I wait in the long hall. Very calm. Very brave.
11:59. A creak. It’s the floor. Old floors talk a lot.
12:00. Midnight. No ghost. I wait politely.
12:30. Still no ghost. I check the schedule. There is no schedule. Ghosts are not punctual.
3:00. I wake up in an armchair with my flashlight still on. Nothing happened, except a wonderful night’s sleep.
In the morning, the guide asked if I’d seen the lady in grey. I said no, but she probably saw me, and I imagine she was very impressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you believe in ghosts?
I believe in good stories, and old castles are full of them. Also drafts.
Will you try again next Halloween?
Yes. The ghost and I have unfinished business, mainly the interview.