Tantallon has 'previous'!
Is this another ghostly image caught on camera at Britain's most haunted castle?
By Fiona Macrae
Last updated at 7:06 PM on 01st April 2009
The image of a figure apparently wearing a ruff and centuries-old clothing was dismissed as nothing more than trick of the camera.
But the emergence of a second picture at the same location has made the possibility of ghostly goings-on rather more difficult to sweep aside.
Last week, a snap taken at Scotland's Tantallon Castle was named the world's best ghost picture.
Taken in May of last year, it appeared to show an eery figure high in the ruins. She seemed to be wearing period costume, including a frilled ruff.
The photographer thought he was alone at the time and tests have confirmed the image has not been digitally altered.
What is more, almost 40 per cent of those who saw the picture believed it showed a ghost.
Now, their case has been strengthened, with the emergence of
another photo taken at the same castle 32 years ago.
Taken by Grace Lamb, it shows her late husband Hugh, and their two children Paul and Kelly, on their way home from a picnic.
But in the background, a ghostly figure appears to be staring out of a window high in Tantallon Castle, in North Berwick, East Lothian.
Mrs Lamb, a retired office worker who lives in Edinburgh, said: 'I didn't see a thing when I was taking it.
'When I got it developed, I was pleased that I hadn't managed to cut anyone's head off.
'My husband said "Not only have you got our heads in, you've got someone else's as well!"
'At first, I showed it to my friends but it has been lying in a drawer for 30 years. I never thought it would cause all this interest.'
Sceptics argue that the figures could simply have been unnoticed visitors or have been formed by unusual reflections of light against the wall and grille.
But Professor Richard Wiseman, who compiled a website of ghost photos for the Edinburgh International Science Festival, said it was not clear who or what was lurking high in the ruins.
The University of Hertfordshire psychologist said: 'It was fascinating to be sent this, as even though it is a higher part of the castle it is very similar to the original.
'I am pretty certain that it is simply a woman with a shopping bag but can't be 100 per cent certain.
'It is strange that it is in the same general location, but the site now has loads of photographs on and has had almost a million hits, so i guess that could be chance.'
Historic Scotland, which runs Tantallon Castle, said there was no history of ghosts at the castle but the image was 'intriguing'.
But others believe the is no room for doubt.
Alex Pryce, of the Edinburgh Skeptics group, said: 'When the picture is enlarged it is quite obvious it is a woman with a carrier bag in her hand and her handbag over her shoulder.
'With the previous picture, there was a bit of doubt over whether it was a ghost or a person or a trick of the light but this one is a woman.
'It is a woman in a pink jacket coming down some stairs with a shopping bag.'
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