Skip to main content

The Barking Hound of Doom

Cladach a Chrogain beach, Tiree, Aberdeen City Shuck Unknown

Cladach a Chrogain beach on the island of Tiree in the Scottish Highlands is said to be haunted by a mysterious creature known locally as the Cusith or Barking Hound. This harbinger of doom is renowned for its unsettling barks which can signal impending danger for those who hear it. According to local legend if the hound yaps once or twice everything is okay but three barks are a warning of incoming danger for the listener or their family. The creature is said to be able to appear semi-human in some reports adding to its mystique and fear factor.

Historically the Highlands have been home to various mythical creatures and folklore with the Cusith being one of the lesser-known but equally fascinating entities. While there's no concrete evidence to pinpoint the exact date or time of the haunting the legend of the Barking Hound has been passed down through generations in Tiree. Some believe the creature's appearances or barks are omens while others think it might be a manifestation of local anxieties and fears. The fact that it is described as being able to change its appearance to become semi-human adds a layer of intrigue to this already captivating ghost story.

Historical Context

The Highlands have a rich history of folklore and mythical creatures.

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Beach
Activity Types
Audio
Witness Credibility
Local Legend
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Unknown
Postcode Area
PA20

Nearby Haunted Places

Poltergeist 0 mi

Aberdeen Poltergeist Haunting

Gordon Place, Aberdeen

Gordon Place in Aberdeen was once the scene of a terrifying poltergeist haunting. On January 6, 1920, the house shook to its core as unexplained bangs and crashes echoed through the walls and floors. It was as if the very foundations of the property were being tested, leaving those present utterly bewildered. Police officers who attended the scene were unable to find the source of the disturbance, adding to the mystery. Some believed the ghost of a former blacksmith, who had owned a property beneath the house and taken his own life many years earlier, was responsible for the commotion. Others thought it might have been the restless spirit of the owner's father, who had passed away just a few years prior.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Aberdeen Library Bell Haunting

Aberdeen Central Library, Aberdeen

Aberdeen Central Library has been at the heart of the city's cultural scene for decades, but few visitors expect to encounter paranormal activity within its walls. The East of Scotland Paranormal Society certainly didn't when they investigated the building back in 2008. What they captured, however, was nothing short of intriguing - unexplained footsteps echoing through the halls, whispers that seemed to come from nowhere, and the unmistakable sound of a bell ringing out.

Public Library Victorian
Read Full Story
Cryptozoology 0 mi

Aberdeen Churchyard Earth Hound

Churchyard, Aberdeen

Deep in the Highlands, near Aberdeen, lies the Mastrick churchyard, a place shrouded in mystery and rumoured to be home to a strange creature known as the Earth Hound. This enigmatic being is said to roam churchyards, preying on the recently buried. Described as being the size of a rat, but with a dog-like head and feet of a mole, the Earth Hound has sparked both fascination and terror in those who know of its existence. In 1915, a dead Earth Hound may have been ploughed up in the very same Mastrick churchyard, leaving behind more questions than answers.

Churchyard Early 20th century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

The Naked Man of Aberdeen

Palace Hotel, Aberdeen

At the Palace Hotel in Aberdeen, a bizarre haunting took place in the early twentieth century. For a week, the hotel's windows were hammered at by an unseen force, leaving staff and guests perplexed. Finally, when someone mustered the courage to approach, a ghostly figure clad only in his birthday suit was spotted. He didn't run or walk away, but simply floated off into thin air, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and a layer of freshly laid snow that showed no signs of footprints.

Hotel Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Aberdeen's Phantom Lady

Amatola Hotel, Aberdeen

The Amatola Hotel in Aberdeen was once home to a rather intriguing presence - a phantasmal female figure seen on the lower landing. This ghostly apparition may have been the daughter of one of the hotel's former owners, adding a touch of tragic family history to the haunting. Although the hotel no longer stands, the story of the Victorian Lady has endured, captivating those with an interest in the paranormal. The image of this lady, frozen in time, continues to spark the imagination of many.

Hotel Victorian
Read Full Story
Unknown 0 mi

Secret Ball

, Drimfin

On a slope near a rock in Drimfin, just outside Tobermory, a rather unexpected encounter took place. A postman, weary from his rounds, decided to take a quick nap close to a rock known to be a haunt of fairies. Little did he know, this was no ordinary rock. As he drifted off to sleep, the rock suddenly opened and a fairy appeared, inviting the postman to a ball. The postman's peaceful slumber quickly turned into a frantic flight as he fled to Tobermory, chased by fairies who probably didnt like taking no for an answer.

Rural Slope Unknown
Read Full Story