Poltergeists are generally regarded as malevolent and unruly spirits and entities one should avoid. As the name suggests, these noisy ghosts, have the ability to make noise and manipulate the environment. This includes things like loud bangs, lights turning on and off and even dangerous activities like starting fires. While the traditional ghost can be seen, these entities don’t usually manifest. There are various theories as to whether poltergeists are actually deceased love one’s or just energy, but one thing all researchers can agree on is these entities seem to be extremely angry and often violent. That said, many have experienced physical pain from poltergeists.
In today’s article, we will examine the Mackenzie Poltergeist, an entity said to inhabit Greyfriars’s Kirkyard, a graveyard in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Sometimes called the most well documented paranormal case of all time, over the decades there has been hundreds of people reporting paranormal activity from visiting the graveyard. Some experience it while on the property while others experience it sometime after leaving. Visitors have been scratched, burned, hit, their legs and arms have been pulled and some have had their hair pulled to name a few of the physical encounters. Many report feeling hot or cold spots, as well as seeing apparitions. Strange sounds are consistently heard and reported including knocking from the tomb under the ground.
Still, this doesn’t cover some of the more violent damaging things that have occurred. It’s said over 150 people have collapsed, fingers have been broken, and two people have been committed.
To rid the evil, two exorcisms were performed with both failing.
In 2020 one man decided to take a nightly ghost tour and seemingly encountered a dark spirit. 37-year-old Kris Rennie returned back to his hotel after visiting the Mausoleum and was stunned to see scratches all down his back. He had been wearing a thick leather jacket during his time on the tour.
He recalled:
“My back was covered in livid, burning red scratches. When I took pictures and sent them to my friends, they were really freaked out. It was demonic. What happened to me can’t be explained in any other way.”
To understand why this place is so active with paranormal activity and just downright dangerous we must understand the story of the graveyard.
The cemetery is rich in history with burials beginning in the 16th century and many notable Scottish figures residing in the graveyard.
One of these figures though is thought to be responsible for the attacks over the centuries.
Said to be ruthless when he was living, Sir George Mackenzie, a former Lord, was renowned for violently attacking the Covenanters in the 17th century.
The covenanters, who were Presbyterian, wanted a separation of church and state in Scotland. In 1637 King Charles I declared that any opposition to the new Episcopalian faith would be treason. The Covenanters protested, and the govt continued to persecute them. Finally, at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in 1679, the govt would prevail. From here Mackenzie was put in charge of enforcement.
Nicknamed Bloody Mackenzie, he would imprison over 1200 Covenanters after the battle killing hundreds, with many starving or dying from the inhumane conditions and others simply being executed. Prisoners only were portioned 4oz of bread per day, and his encampment is often called the first concentration camp.
In the back of the graveyard, Mackenzie’s Mausoleum rests chained and locked. That lock wasn’t always so secure though.
In 1999 a homeless man in need of shelter spotted the mausoleum, broke the simple lock and decided to enter since it was raining. He decided to crack one of the graves open and as he did the floor caved in. The man fell into a hole with bodies of plague victims. The bodies were sealed in vacuum like conditions, and we’re well preserved. This terrified the man, and he took off screaming out of the graveyard.
After this event, the city decided to properly secure the Mausoleum. It is said, it’s kept locked to protect people from trying to go in.
Its typically viewed as the most evil and active spot in the cemetery.
One infamous story concerns a boy attending George Heriot’s School, to escape a beating and hide from his master, he hid in the Mackenzie’ s Mausoleum. Somehow, he got trapped, the poltergeist confronted him, and he lost his mind.
While Mackenzie’s Mausoleum is generally described as the most active and dangerous spot, it should be said many have experienced paranormal activity in other parts of the cemetery.
(Read about the Bridgeport Poltergeist here)
This leads some to believe that the ground is cursed.
With so much anecdotal and witness testimony, it’s clear that if ever a place was haunted, this would be it. Hundreds have experienced physical pain while countless others experienced strange sensations, seen apparitions and heard odd noises. This also doesn’t include all the stories not documented.
There are many questions surrounding this area and activity. Is it haunted by just one spirit? Is it Mackenzie? Is Mackenzie responsible for these angry violent attacks or is it perhaps something demonic?
Over the years many paranormal teams from around the world have investigated this area. Travellers as well venture in on ghost tours or perhaps to just see the historic graveyard.
It should be said, with all that’s happened here, if one decides to visit, he or she should exercise extreme caution.
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