‘Millhall Ghost’ seen by two farm workmen

A prankster, who in spring 1929, became known as the `Millhall Ghost’ was back in the news in October of that year.

Described by the Observer as an `addlepated buffoon attired in a white sheet,’ the joker made headlines by appearing after dark mostly on the road used by pitmen between St Ninians and Millhall Colliery.

It seemed, however, that the apparition was on the move for, as the nights grew darker, it had resumed operations but this time in Bannockburn. Upon making inquiries, an Observer representative was directed to Mr Peter Cowan, foreman, Balquhidderock Farm, who told how he had been walking through Bannockburn Wood when he saw the figure of a man draped in white hiding at the side of the roadway.

Earlier that evening, at Balquhidderock Farm, ploughman Thomas Hamilton told the paper as he looked through a bothy window he saw a similarly-clad figure and watched it moving about the farmyard. The figure appeared to be waiting for the opportunity to scare passers-by, said the ploughman.

Both men said they took no action when they saw the figure but added that they might have done had they a weapon with them.

Mrs Rougvie, Firs Crescent, Bannockburn, said she had heard a man had been seen in the vicinity removing a white cloak which he rolled into a ball. She had `two good dogs’ and had no fears for her safety.

Police said no official complaint had been made about the shadowy presence.

A few days later three youths, walking around Balquhidderock Farm in the hope of coming across the `ghost’, were given a `severe fright’ when a man leapt from a haystack. He was dressed in his ordinary clothes.

One of the youths had armed himself with a revolver and discharged the weapon, but the man was quickly out of sight and a search of the area failed to locate him.