Does This Picture Prove the Existence of Ghosts?

There are hundreds if not thousands of pictures on the internets claiming to be proof of ghosts. Most can be dismissed as outright fakes, and others as cases of misidentification of lens flares and the like. But, among them, there are a few that even leave the fiercest of skeptics baffled. The alleged photo of “The Ghost of Tantallon Castle” is probably the most mysterious.

Back in 2009, a man named Christopher Aitchison visited Tantallon Castle in East Lothian, UK, and snapped a photo of the ruins. The castle dates back to the 14th century. It is located on a remote headland near North Berwick. It was badly damaged in 1651 during an attack by Oliver Cromwell’s forces.

Tourists take pictures of the fortress all the time, but Mr. Aitchison’s image has caused quite the stir – so much so that people are still talking about nearly 12 years later. If you zoom into it, the photo shows a figure in one of the windows, which many believe to be a ghost.

Paranormal fans are divided over what the image really shows. Some say they see a person in the window, wearing a collar ruffle and centuries-old clothing.

Speaking about his photo, Mr. Aitchison has previously said, “I was not aware of anyone, or anything, being present in my picture.” What’s even more interesting is that the photo has been tested, and it was confirmed that it had not been digitally altered. So it’s not Photoshop!

And before you go thinking it could be a tour guide in costume or a display mannequin, those theories have also been debunked by experts. Psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman, from the University of Hertfordshire, who studied the picture, said, “The figure appears to be in period costume, but we know 100 percent that Tantallon Castle is not the sort of place that has dummies or costumed guides.”

However, not everyone thinks the castle is haunted.

Alex Pryce, a member of the Edinburgh Skeptics group, was unconvinced, and instead of a ghost from the past, he thinks the person in the window is a woman carrying a shopping bag.

He explained, “When the picture is enlarged, it is quite obvious it is a woman with a carrier bag in her hand and her handbag over her shoulder.”

What do you think? Ghost or Tourist? Please reply using the comments below!