A leading Scottish paranormal group captured something strange while visiting Edinburgh's 'most haunted' pub recently.
The Scottish Paranormal team, which runs the Haunted Scotland channel, were filming at the Banshee Labyrinth, which is located in the depths of Edinburgh’s North Bridge Vaults and is said to be haunted by several spectres, when something a little strange appeared on their screens.
READ NEXT: The stunning sandy beach under an hour from Edinburgh named one of UK's top hidden gems
Ryan O’Neill, who is part of the Kirkcaldy-based investigative team, said they returned to the bar on Niddry Street in the capital last week (Monday, May 15), after they spent some time filming there for the TV show Spooked Scotland.
The team were making their way around the bar when Ryan explained they took a snap of what looked like a floating hand or "claw".
Ryan said: "The Banshee Labyrinth is reported to be one of the most haunted pubs in Scotland, and I can say during our recent visit it did not disappoint. This was a return visit for me, I was here in 2022 filming for our TV show Spooked Scotland, and much like back then, we were met with unbelievable occurrences.
"We use a wide range of environmental devices so we can see subtle changes in the atmosphere, and at the Banshee, we filmed and witnessed indicators that something unseen was moving around us.
"The most intriguing occurrence during the visit was a photo captured while wandering the location. I take an array of pics so I can map a location and then use them if I need to explain potential paranormal activity in the set area.
"On this occasion, while doing so, I noticed we had a rather strange anomaly show in one of the photographs, and it's one I have never seen before, outwith the easily explained away false positives you may acquire.
"The most logical thing to do here would be to look for a source of light that causes a reflection, refraction or motion blur effect or other photo effects but we have struggled to find the root cause here. We have even asked some of our colleagues in the Paranormal Field and they have likewise raised an eyebrow."
The investigator added that it was taken by accident, while the camera faced the floor as they were shown around by a staff member.
He believes the unusual anomaly may have been a spirit trying to make contact with them.
Ryan added: "The feedback I've had so far is it may be something rather interesting trying to show (AKA Manifest) visually for us as we wandered and spoke about the spirits said to haunt the location.
"People see a hand or claw in movement as if coming through the ether into our atmosphere. Could it be the infamous Watcher said to wander the vaults and this location, or one of the many other spirits said to wander this amazing part of Edinburgh?
"We will be returning to find out"
The famous bar is so haunted that it is said to be named after one particularly gruesome encounter with a spirit (and no not one from behind the bar), while part of the pub is built into Edinburgh’s notorious underground vaults, once frequented by criminals and a home for the city’s poorest population in the 1800s.
It's also said to have been a place where many people were said to have met a gruesome end, which is often cited as an explanation for the many ghosts said to haunt the Banshee Labyrinth.
The eponymous banshee led to the most famous bone-chilling experience experienced by a builder while the pub was being renovated many years ago.
The story goes that he saw a woman in a grey dress sobbing into her hands, who lifted her head to reveal a pale, gaunt face with rotted teeth and no eyes.
She gave her signature scream - and moments later, the man received a call to say that a family member had passed away.
Other ghosts said to haunt the pub include Molly, a six-year-old girl who disappeared in 1814 and has been said to haunt the pub since a child’s shoe with ‘Molly’ written on it was discovered in one of its old bricked-up chimneys.
‘The Watcher’, an apparition in a long black coat is another who customers have seen wandering through the venue.
READ MORE:
The Edinburgh entrepreneur transforming bar into 'one of the best wee pubs in town'
Edinburgh city centre to get new Chaakoo Bombay Cafe restaurant
Edinburgh couple want to transform derelict old bank back to its former glory
Edinburgh rum fans can act like pirates with drinks cruise around stunning canal
Edinburgh pub launches free bottomless crisp party every Sunday
