Sleepless nights

For anyone who has ever stayed in a bothy, there’s no doubt about it: they can be spooky; and, indeed, many attract tales of the unexplained. Ben Alder Bothy in the central Highlands is a site that has had more than its fair share of unexplained occurrences, as documented by Rennie McOwan in his book, Magic Mountains.

Sir Robert Grieve was staying at the bothy with a friend, when they heard footsteps entering the room next door. Upon investigation, they found themselves to be alone. Later, the stillness of the bothy was disturbed once again by the sound of heavy nailed boots pacing up and down outside. They sensed they were being watched from a window. Nervously they investigated, but there was no-one else there. Returning to bed, they were again awoken by the sound of footsteps ringing through the darkness and the sound of heavy furniture being dragged around, despite there being no furniture to move.

Further strange goings-on were reported by John Blair, of the Highways Hillwalking Club, at the Ben Alder Bothy. He recounted: “I lay and dozed as the fire crackled and burned itself out. Eventually, it became so dark inside the bothy that there was only blackness in the fireplace. Then it was possible to make out the small rectangle of the window. As I dozed, a terrific crash and the fire burst back onto life, with the shadows of our socks and things dancing on the ceiling. I sat bolt upright and said ‘Jesus Christ’… suddenly the bedsprings near my head began a very regular plunking sound. I even stopped breathing to see whether I was causing it myself, but it came on…”

Many reports of floating objects, lyrical bedsprings and footsteps followed, and legend has it that the bothy is haunted by the spirit of a man who once hanged himself there (although this is disputed by the owners of the bothy).

But bothies are not the only eerie mountain accommodation. The Skirrid Inn, located in the foothills of The Skirrid near the Brecon Beacons, has a reputation for being the ‘scariest place in the UK’; and it has been visited by many a ghost hunter due to the alleged presence of several spirits. The inn, which once housed a courtroom, is said to have witnessed the end of 180 felons, who were hanged from an oak beam, still in situ on the first floor. Visitors report unnerving tales of mysteriously flying objects, the eerie smell of perfume, the sound of soldiers, sightings of a ‘white lady’, and even feeling as if they are being strangled.