Friday 31st October 2008 On Hallowe’en night 2008, Mostly Ghostly conducted our first official paranormal investigation at Scotland’s oldest working theatre - the historic Theatre Royal in Dumfries. A variety of unusual occurrences have been reported over the years by staff and performers alike, some fairly recently. The team were very eager to learn more about this 216 year old building and any supernatural forces at work within its walls. Our evening at the Theatre began by establishing a base in the downstairs dressing room. We unpacked our equipment, checking everything as we did and discussed where to start on our walk-round and corresponding baseline tests. Just prior to this, we spent a short time asking for protection (white light) during which we used tea light candles to help us focus. Having done this, we set off to the stage armed with trigger objects and recording equipment.

A camera was used throughout to chart our progress and also for the purposes of catching any unusual anomalies on tape. We used a very simple method of two candles taped together to check for draughts. We quickly established that the Theatre was generally a draughty place so this factor may well cause movement of e.g. curtains and perhaps create strange sounds. There were areas throughout that were creaky, such as stairs and in places these stairs were uneven, having the potential to cause feelings of disorientation etc. With regard to temperature, the heating was on in some locations, but the upstairs dressing room areas were bitterly cold. We are aware that when it is as cold, battery power can be drained more quickly.

We photographed the Theatre using a digital camera and also 35mm. The camera Derek was using only worked a few times at the start of the night although we are aware it is an older camera and are unsure about how many times it has been used in the past and how it reacts in certain conditions e.g. cold temperatures. A number of orbs appeared (as expected), but these seemed to be dust-related. As a team, we are very sceptical about the validity of orbs in relation to paranormal activity and tend not to spend too much time exploring them. We have heard however, that occasionally such light anomalies are not easily explained away by dust, reflections, insects, the mechanisms of a digital camera etc, so do not completely discount them. The viewpoint is more 'Make up your own mind'!

As the team walked around the old Theatre, we made a general assessment of any health and safety issues. In certain locations e.g. the basement, there was a great deal of clutter. A steep staircase just off the stage could also prove hazardous, but we had no plans to use it during the investigation.

Nigel Pentland, the Theatre Manager, warned us that there was a compressor in the basement that had a tendency to go off unexpectedly with a loud banging sound. We all hoped this wouldn't happen during a vigil, but there was really no way to tell. We discovered exactly what Nigel meant during the baseline test, when the compressor kicked in giving us a bit of a start. We prematurely thought, oh well, at least that's out of the way!

The team decided that a blackboard with the words 'Break a Leg' chalked on, would be appropriate to set up in the upstairs dressing rooms and used the magnetic letters on the stage spelling out 'Silence'. A glass of water containing food colouring was set up on top of kitchen towel on the stage. In the past there was a suspicious incident involving a glass and we hoped that if the water was tampered with in any way, that some of the coloured fluid would spill onto the kitchen towel. We'd been told a set of keys had been misplaced by a theatre employee who had then heard footsteps coming from the stairs, only to discover on the very same staircase later, the set of keys in question! We felt a set of keys could be used as a trigger object in the sound room. The room itself was quite small and packed with alot of equipment. We recognised it could be difficult to determine any movement of objects due to this and were also restricted in e.g. using flour to denote movement, just incase it came into contact with the equipment. We simply decided on setting the keys down and photographing them close-up.

A Theatre employee discovered the Sound Room to be mysteriously ransacked around 5 years ago

We took one of the data-logging thermometers around with us to gather a general picture of the changes in temperature and noted whenever we entered a new location. Upon return to base, we checked through and downloaded the data onto the laptop. We felt a different type of thermometer may have been better for the baseline with the data-loggers more effective for leaving in a certain location. We then programmed both data-loggers as one was to be used in the sound room and another in the basement. Equipment was set up around the Theatre including a camcorder in the upstairs dressing room and a digital Dictaphone on the stage. The baseline and set up of objects took a little longer than anticipated, by which time we were keen to commence the vigils. Derek and Kathleen began in the sound/control room. This had been pre-decided due to limitations in space, with a view to the other two team members carrying out a vigil later on. Nigel, Mary and John headed to the office for a cup of tea at this point. Derek and Kathleen lit some tea-light candles and set up a camcorder on the tripod. We used an analogue Dictaphone throughout the vigil (not voice activated). We invited any spirits present to communicate with us. There was the odd click and tap, which we concluded came from the light after it had been turned off. Nothing really unusual occurred.

For the second vigil, all four of the team set up camp on the stairs which led to the balcony/auditorium. A camcorder was positioned at the top of the stairs looking down on us and again, the analogue Dictaphone was used. Right at the start when Derek switched on the camcorder, he informed us that there was little or no power in the battery. John found this strange as it was fully charged earlier. We set up another camera in its place.

From where we were seated you could hear cars going by outside as well as people. There was a regular ticking sound, but this was attributed to a meter positioned at the foot of the stairs. We invited the spirits to communicate, taking turns to ask questions that we hoped may trigger some activity. A short while into the vigil, three of us heard a sound which was very like that of footsteps! There were several steps that seemed to be coming from the balcony or auditorium, it was tricky to tell. Initially Kathleen wasn't sure what to think, Derek thought it was Nigel coming and John immediately felt it was a spirit! Kathleen radioed Nigel and asked if he was still in his office, he said he was. We were pretty sure if Nigel had been out and about, that he'd have contacted us to say so anyway. We continued with the vigil and before it came to a close heard the sound again, although this time a little quieter. We can't find an explanation for this strange occurrence and all feel pretty certain it was the sound of footsteps, particularly due to the distinctive pattern/rhythm - there wasn't really any doubt!

Encouraged by what had just happened, we headed to Nigel's office to bring him up to date, before deciding on our next location. We charged up the camera battery, but it must be noted this was only for a short time - approx 10 mins. We reached the stage and set up a camera (aforementioned) on tripod and sat along the front row of seating. The trigger objects were still very much intact. Our vigil commenced with the usual procedure, although no candles were used. Very quickly, the battery light on the camera started to flash, and after inspection, it was discovered that the power was draining. We think this may be due to the battery not being charged properly. During our vigil in the Basement, three of the team heard the sound of footsteps once again - maybe six or seven. We carried out a re-enactment to try and establish the origins of the sounds. Firstly, Mary and Kathleen walked across the stage and radioed Derek and John who suggested we then try in front of the stage. Mary walked in front of the first row of seats in the auditorium but they asked her to try further back. Afterwards, Derek took over and had a go, whilst we directed him from downstairs. When he was walking along the third row from the stage, it sounded similar to the footsteps we’d heard. It is important to note however, that we cannot be certain of this.

The stage viewed from the balcony: strange footsteps and other unusual noises have been headrd all around these areas

On a lighter note, the compressor caught us out once again when it burst into action with an almighty bang, creating squeals and sounds not unlike a combination of crying and laughter! It was so typical that this had occurred when we were sitting quietly waiting for something to happen! We had a bit of a laugh and joke about the whole incident before regaining our somewhat shaky composure.

Derek then informed the team that he’d seen a shadow up in the sound room. We all headed up on to the stage - there was no sign of anything unusual. Derek said that a dark shadow had appeared to move across the window of the sound room (bent/crouched shape) and lasted slightly longer than a fleeting vision.

The upstairs dressing rooms completed the initial set of vigils and were icy cold (natural causes). We sat in the lower level, having re-positioned the camera so it was pointed at us. As we invited the spirits to communicate, John thought he very briefly saw something out of the corner of his eye which he believed was drawing him to the upper level. He became quite agitated and headed for the upper level of the dressing room. He was determined that whatever he’d seen was up there. John remained a short while then returned somewhat distracted. He remained unsettled for a wee while, pacing back and forth between levels. Not long after, he felt whatever (if anything) had been there was now gone. The rest of the vigil passed without incident.

The time was running away with us, so we made a decision to return to the stairs for the penultimate vigil, with a view to completing the night in the Sound Room. The stairs on this occasion were quieter, and no unusual sounds or other anomalies were witnessed.

The five of us managed to access the Sound Room okay, if not a little cramped! For a split-second, John thought he saw something white on the stairs that lead up to the stage. He left the room and went down to the balcony where he stood and attempted to communicate with any spirits present. He returned to the Sound Room briefly, then returned to the balcony to give it one more chance - nothing occurred. We are aware that it was extremely late (4:30ish) and we were all getting tired. These conditions can create optical illusion and other such phenomena. As it was a very brief sighting, this may be a feasible explanation, but John certainly believed he’d seen something. The team will never know.

During the final vigil, Kathleen noticed that one of the tapes in the analogue Dictaphone had broken. Only one of the spindles were turning and upon further inspection the tape was discovered to be snapped. The most realistic explanation is that this was caused by a faulty tape or other malfunction.

When the team returned to base and started packing up for the night, we plugged the data-logging thermometer into our laptop to check out the readings from the Sound Room. Unfortunately, it took only one reading which we couldn’t understand. The batteries were supposed to last many hours, but we had hardly used them (they had only recently been purchased). The thermometer had worked fine during the baseline so we didn’t understand the problem. Upon reflection, we bought the thermometer (battery included) on the internet (a reputable company), but the battery may have been sitting a long time, which in turn may have affected the energy source. We know the cold can drain batteries and it has been reported that in locations where paranormal activity is prevalent that this too can cause them to lose power. Having subsequently tried the thermometer with a new battery, it was working okay, so it seems the thermometer itself is in good working order.

In conclusion, Mostly Ghostly found the Theatre to be a most intriguing place, steeped in a dramatic history that has seen high emotions, countless changes and at times, much uncertainty. We recognise that the equipment issues were most likely to be due to technical problems rather than paranormal influence, although we can’t rule it out. Upon examination of the camcorder footage, a number of light anomalies were picked up in the basement, but as mentioned earlier we do not have a lot of faith in orbs and generally think there are rational, plausible explanations for their appearance other than the early manifestation of spirits. It must be noted however that one of the anomalies appeared to have a different structure to the others and was not as circular in shape. It also had several dark features within it, not unlike a face. This anomaly received more attention as a result, but we do not feel there is enough information present to link it to the paranormal, the only tenuous link being we were inviting the spirits to communicate at the time of their appearance.

John’s experience in the upstairs dressing room although compelling, could have been caused by ’corner of the eye phenomenon’ which can happen to anyone. You may think you’ve seen a fleeting shape/shadow, only for it to disappear when you look directly. This is concerned with our vision and is perfectly explainable. We cannot say for sure if this is what happened to John or whether he actually saw something. Whatever the cause, John was definitely affected by it. Derek’s sighting of a shadow in the sound room could have arisen from similar origins, as well as John’s experience near the end of the investigation, but equally there may have been a spirit present. As there was only one witness each time and no recorded evidence, we will never know.

Of the strange and at times, fantastic events that took place, the team feel certain that the sounds we heard from the stairs and basement were footsteps and are very encouraged by this. We are still unsure if the footsteps were taking place in the here and now or if they were a recording from the past. Either way, we believe there were paranormal forces at work, particularly as this phenomena has been witnessed several times before by a variety of witnesses. Interestingly, the camcorder footage in the basement picked up three or four faint footsteps, which can be examined further.

Mostly Ghostly are very keen to return to this magnificent old theatre and feel that it was a highly positive learning experience that will certainly help to inform any future investigations. We hope the Theatre continues to be a vibrant hub of the community, creating laughter and tears (and maybe something else!) for many years to come.