In the summer of 2008 I wrote a letter to Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine about our new supernatural venture - Mostly Ghostly Investigations. On 31st October of that same year, we were set to launch at none other than Scotland’s oldest working theatre, Dumfries Theatre Royal. I already knew the magazine well and always remember buying the first ever copy which featured an article on Neidpath Castle in the Borders, naturally I was drawn to the story as Neidpath is known for it’s ghost - Lady Jean Douglas… Seeing potential for a cracking story, we waited eagerly for a response. Instead of a one-off appearance within it’s vibrant glossy pages, this letter led to much more; a rare and exciting opportunity, fervent support, enduring friendships and a sense of glowing pride when we won Tourism Champion 2012 at the DGLife People of the Year Awards.
The DGLife team are a diverse and highly talented bunch, led by the wonderful Andrea Thompson, Writer and Commissioning Editor. Andrea is a true ambassador for our incredible region, maximising the cornucopia of delights Dumfries and Galloway can offer it’s local folk as well as visitors from far and wide. Andrea, who has a long-standing interest in the paranormal, responded positively to our letter, arranging an interview at the historic Theatre Royal. This eerie engagement paved the way to a long-standing and successful partnership - we’ve never looked back!
Did I ever think I’d be writing for an award winning magazine - in all honesty, no - the thought had never crossed my mind. I discovered very early on in Mostly Ghostly’s journey that I enjoyed writing and am eternally grateful to Andrea and the DGLife team for giving me the chance to becoming a regular contributor to the magazine. Since then, I’ve been approached by many readers who enjoy their monthly fix of Dumfries and Galloway’s hauntings, investigation findings and ghost tour updates. It’s lovely to know people follow our progress and I’ve had more than one reader say it’s the first thing they turn to each month - thank you so much!
Below, you will find a comprehensive list of all our DGLife columns and features (click on links to read full articles) and if you haven’t tried it already, pick up a copy and explore the region’s wealth of local talent, history, heritage, mouth-watering food, walking guides and must-visit places. You can also subscribe and receive a shiny feature-packed copy through your door each month!
2008/2009
October/November – Mostly Ghostly Launch - Is There Anybody Out There?
December/January - Theatre Royal Investigation
February/March - First Garlieston Investigation
April - Galloway Gazette Investigation
May - Garlieston Second Investigation/First Contact with ‘Albert’/Strange Lights
June - Raehills Charity Event/Derek Acorah
July - Sorbie Tower Investigation
August - Jedburgh Jail Joint Investigation
September - Greenlaw Mansion Investigation
October - Sorbie/Garlieston Roads Investigation Part I
November - Sorbie/Garlieston Roads Investigation Part II
December - Theatre Event/West Sound Investigation - Ghost Hunters
2010
January - Amisfield Tower Investigation
March - Preview of the Year
April - Fife Visit/Pittenweem/Covenanter Hotel
May - Amisfield House Investigation
June - Kielder Castle Second Visit
July - Second Theatre Investigation Part I
August - Second Theatre Investigation Part II
September - Tweedside Mills
October - Ghost Walk Teaser - Come Walk With Us
November - Dumfries Ghost Walk - Take a Walk on the Wild Side
December - Dumfries Ghost Walk Preview Night - The Dark Side of Dumfries
2011
January - Halloween Ghost Walk Launch - The Spooks Are Out There
February - Dumfries Witch Trials - The Whitesands Witches
March - Preview & A75
April - A75 Account
May - Spedlins Tower
June - Strange Happenings on Ghost Walk - Back On The Streets
July - The Pittenweem Prisoners Part I
August - The Pittenweem Prisoners Part II
September - The Rerrick Poltergeist Part I
October - The Rerrick Poltergeist Part II
November - Haunted Theatre Tour Preview - Join Our Haunted Theatre Tour
December - Theatre Tour Experiences - Stage Fright
2012
January 2012 - 50th Edition, 50 Haunted Locations
February 2012 - Preview of the Year
March 2012 - Sanquhar Castle
April 2012 - The Case of Mary Timney
May 2012 - Tam O’ Shanter Inn Investigation
June 2012 - Garlieston Return
July 2012 - Lochmaben Castle Investigation Part I
August 2012 - Lochmaben Castle Investigation Part II
September 2012 - Welcome New Team Members
October 2012 - Book Review & New Website
November 2012 - Anniversary Theatre Tour
December 2012 - SSPR Conference
2013
January - Carnsalloch House Investigation Part I
February - Carnsalloch House Investigation Part II
March - Mostly Ghostly Special - 50th Magazine Feature!
April - A Night on Bane Loaning
May - Book Review, Poltergeist over Scotland by Geoff Holder
June - Local History Week, Library talks
Discover Dumfries & Galloway special tourism feature
July - Private location, Dumfries Part I
August - Private location, Dumfries Part II
September - Private Investigation
October - Haunted Highways Tour teaser
November - Gretna Green Investigation Part I
December - Gretna Green Investigation Part II
2014
January - Haunted Highways Tour, Launch Feature
February - Day of the Region, Lochmaben Tour
March - Last Theatre Tour prior to renovations
April - Kathleen to write book on Dumfries and Galloway’s ghosts
May - Auldgirth Inn Investigation
June - English Street Investigation, Part I
July - English Street Investigation, Part II
August - Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival - Legends and Lore at Lochmaben Castle
September - Mostly Ghostly’s Summer Round-Up
October - Legends & Lore Tour Review (special feature by Andrea Thompson) & Chapel of the Mount, Carnsalloch (Kirkton Crypt)
November - Mary Timney Event with Robert Burns Film Theatre
December - Halloween Events
2015
January - Wigtown: The Festival
February - People of the Year Awards 2014
March - The Magic of our Local Libraries
April - Valentine’s Highways Tour
May - Mount Sydney Investigation Part I
June - Mount Sydney Investigation Part II
At the time of updating (May 2015), 78 Mostly Ghostly-related articles have been published in Dumfries & Galloway Life. Four of our main features were written by Andrea Thompson, Writer and Commissioning Editor. One piece was solely an eye-witness account from a former team member re: A75 sighting and 74 features were written by Kathleen including a piece for the magazine’s special publication, Discover Dumfries & Galloway.We had no feature in the February 2010 issue due to taking a post-festive season break!
For more information on Mostly Ghostly paranormal investigators or DGLife Magazine, please contact the team through our website or by phoning 07791 047835 or 07912 145865. You can also follow us on Twitter.