Ghost photo baffles experts

[GaryC 7]

AN eerie image of a figure at a Scottish castle has got ghost experts spooked.

The scary shot was unearthed during the biggest ever investigation into photographic evidence of ghosts.

The picture, taken in May last year, shows a spectral figure in fifteenth century dress peering out of a barred window at Tantallon Castle in Fife.

Click to see other photos in the competition that have baffled experts:

No mannequins or costumed guides are used at the castle and photo experts have confirmed that no digital trickery was used.

Even ghost sceptic Professor Richard Wiseman admitted to being puzzled.

“It is certainly very curious,” he said.

“We ran it by three photographic experts and they said it hadn’t been Photoshopped at all.

“The figure appears to be in period costume, but we know 100 per cent that Tantallon Castle is not the sort of place that has dummies or costumed guides; they just don’t go in for that sort of thing.

“I suppose it could be a visitor looking a little bit strange. Perhaps someone will come forward. Another possibility is an odd reflection of sunlight, but it does look very like a person. The explanation is not obvious.”

Tantallon Castle, a ruined fortress dating back to the 14th century, stands on a remote rocky headland near North Berwick on the East coast of Scotland. It was badly damaged in an attack by Oliver Cromwell’s forces in 1651.

Christopher Aitchison, who took the photo, said: “I was not aware of anyone, or anything, being present in my picture."

Psychologist Prof Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, who has made many studies of the supernatural, launched the investigation a month ago.

Members of the public were asked to submit ghostly images for experts to analyse, the best of which were posted on the website www.scienceofhauntings.com.

More than 250 pictures were received from all over the world and more than a quarter of a million people voted for what they considered to be the most convincing photos.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/...S&ATTR=News

[Bobby+Umit 161]

If he is a ghost, why is he wearing clothes?

Do clothes come back to life *or have an afterlife*? Wait, what?

[MrsCat 6]

If he is a ghost, why is he wearing clothes?

Do clothes come back to life *or have an afterlife*? Wait, what?

Why would a ghost want to come back naked?

[Craneman 2]

If he is a ghost, why is he wearing clothes?

Do clothes come back to life *or have an afterlife*? Wait, what?

Why would a ghost want to come back naked?

They would wear "Ghost clothes" ? ? ?

[MrsCat 6]

If he is a ghost, why is he wearing clothes?

Do clothes come back to life *or have an afterlife*? Wait, what?

Why would a ghost want to come back naked?

They would wear "Ghost clothes" ? ? ?

Ghosts would be much more popular and noticeable if they showed up everywhere naked. They have clothes so they can blend in. Duh.

[Craneman 2]

If he is a ghost, why is he wearing clothes?

Do clothes come back to life *or have an afterlife*? Wait, what?

Why would a ghost want to come back naked?

They would wear "Ghost clothes" ? ? ?

Ghosts would be much more popular and noticeable if they showed up everywhere naked. They have clothes so they can blend in. Duh.

Ghosts want to blend in ? ? ?

Now that really makes sense.

And what is a ghost expert, someone who sees ghosts all the time.

Someone who hears voices is loco, but seeing ghosts makes him an expert.

Pull this one it plays "jingle bells"

[EasyRider 3]

So it's a photo of a "real" ghost because it's not photoshopped? Right.

[Bobby+Umit 161]

If he is a ghost, why is he wearing clothes?

Do clothes come back to life *or have an afterlife*? Wait, what?

Why would a ghost want to come back naked?

They would have a choice?

If the "ghost" is the "lost soul" of someone, it would be naked, as you were born, since the clothes are not part of your "soul"

If he is a ghost, why is he wearing clothes?

Do clothes come back to life *or have an afterlife*? Wait, what?

Why would a ghost want to come back naked?

They would wear "Ghost clothes" ? ? ?

ah, then why are there no pictures of just "clothes" walking around??

[Yoink 7]

Duke University has a paranormal department... the guy who runs it has been on TV a bunch of times

[Bobby+Umit 161]

So it's a photo of a "real" ghost because it's not photoshopped? Right.

Yes, I tend to notice some people jump to the "paranormal" explanation instead of the rational one.

It could be that someone inside the castle was holding up a picture of the "ghost" and this guy simply took a picture of it...

"spoooky"

But that won't sell newspapers, so it's a ghost!

[Peikko 1,575]

It's from The Sun. Is it April 1st yet?

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I'd say if they can't rule out the obvious - someone visiting the castle, then that is probably the most logical explanation. Without being absolutely sure that no person was in that castle at the time of photograph, speculating that it could be ghost seems a bit presumptuous.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Mister Fancypants

[Peikko 1,575]

I'd say if they can't rule out the obvious - someone visiting the castle, then that is probably the most logical explanation. Without being absolutely sure that no person was in that castle at the time of photograph, speculating that it could be ghost seems a bit presumptuous.

Particularly as that assumption seems to be entirely based on how 'old' his clothes look Sorry Gary, but The Sun is not known for its honesty putting out a story. Headline grabbing is what it does best, well, that and boobs

[GaryC 7]

I'd say if they can't rule out the obvious - someone visiting the castle, then that is probably the most logical explanation. Without being absolutely sure that no person was in that castle at the time of photograph, speculating that it could be ghost seems a bit presumptuous.

Particularly as that assumption seems to be entirely based on how 'old' his clothes look Sorry Gary, but The Sun is not known for its honesty putting out a story. Headline grabbing is what it does best, well, that and boobs

It was just an interesting story. I take no credit for its validity. I find this sort of thing compelling is all.

[Peikko 1,575]

I didn't mean that you should take credit or not for the validity. All I meant was, if you find this stuff interesting, try to find more valid sources of information. The Sun just isn't that credible. Even in the article you cited they say:

The figure appears to be in period costume, but we know 100 per cent that Tantallon Castle is not the sort of place that has dummies or costumed guides; they just don’t go in for that sort of thing.

“I suppose it could be a visitor looking a little bit strange. Perhaps someone will come forward. Another possibility is an odd reflection of sunlight, but it does look very like a person. The explanation is not obvious.”

There is no need to go looking for ghosts in this instance.

Edited March 27, 2009 by Madame Cleo