The Haunting of Cairn Farm

The MacNay family near Auldgirth, Dumfriesshire have for years endured a living hell with ghostly goings-on in their old farmhouse. Near to breaking point they, in desperation, contacted Professor Archie Roy (S. S.P.R.) for help. He believed that the McNay's experiences were caused by a genuine haunting.

Pete (pseudonym) McNay noticed something strange when preparing to move in, after the bathroom door, "Suddenly flew off the wall and slammed shut, no one was anywhere near it and that door does not usually move on its own."

The farmhouse has long had a reputation of being haunted and older members of the community tell tales of ghosts dating back from the 1940's and of the many families who have moved in but not stayed long at all. Although investigations as to the origins of the haunting have not yet brought anything to light.

Pete McNay moved into the farmhouse with his first wife Susan (pseudonym) who has now re-married and moved away. Susan had twice been awakened during the night and sensed that someone or something was in the room with them, a something that she can only describe as a shape. As soon as she sat up it would disappear. Not long after Emma was bom to Pete and Susan they would often hear the screams of a child in pain but on rushing into Emma's room they would at all times find her fast asleep. Baby sitters after experiencing the phantom cries would not under any circumstances return to the house.

Peter has been touched twice by an unseen presence. The first time was when he and Susan were eating dinner while sat at the table. He suddenly felt someone who he thought was his wife, grab him tightly on the knee. His surprise then turned to shock horror when he realised his wife was holding her knife and fork in each hand above the table! The second time was when he was alone in bed, again something gripped him tightly but this time around his ankle. He shook and struggled violently until the pressure was released.

Doors in the home open and close of their own accord, phantom footfalls are often heard, eliciting noises and a strange chiming sound which, "Is not quite like a clock." The constant sound of furniture being moved in the kitchen drives the famly mad, although most times nothing is actually out of place.

The spare room which was once 4yr old Allen's room has now been closed off. Pete and his new wife Cheryl (pseudonym) were roused out of their sleep by their sons screams. "Get that lady out of here," were all the words Allen would say. Pete had to actually pretend to throw somebody out of the window before their son eventually began to calm down. Twice more Allen had screamed that the "Bad lady" was here, but on these occasions during the day, so it could not be put down to nightmares.

Pete has never actually seen anything in the farmhouse although Cheryl has seen a figure at the bottom of the bed. "I'm a light sleeper," remarks Cheryl, "One morning I was suddenly wide awake and I could see him at the end of the bed. There was only his head and the top half of the body. He appeared to be between 40 and 50; he was clean shaven and well dressed although I could not describe his clothes. But I was overwhelmed by a strong sense of reassurance. He was telling me nothing nasty was going to happen."

Pete is more nervous than Cheryl at the goings on in the home who it is said is remarkably calm. Maybe the reassurance she recieved from the gentleman has helped her with this. Pete states the wish that, "...I hope I never see anything," and at times has been badly frightened.

Professor Archie Roy also stated about the case that, "One of the best things is that you can with confidence reassure the fanuly that there is nothing evil in the house."

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