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Isobel Gowdie's Phantom Hare

Exact location not known, Auldearn, Highland Apparition 17th century

Deep in the Scottish Highlands, near the village of Auldearn, a bizarre and intriguing haunting has been reported. In 1955, a retired soldier named Robin Green claimed to have spotted the phantom of Isobel Gowdie while camping in the area. According to Green's account, Gowdie's ghostly apparition was that of a hare, a creature she was said to have transformed into during her lifetime. This strange manifestation is linked to Gowdie's notorious history as a witch, tried and convicted in 1662.

Isobel Gowdie's story begins in the 17th century, when she was accused of witchcraft and brought to trial in 1662. During her interrogation, Gowdie made a number of astonishing claims, including the ability to transform into a hare and a meeting with the queen of the fairies under a hill. These statements, along with other evidence, led to her conviction and execution. The fact that her phantom was seen by Robin Green nearly three centuries later adds a fascinating layer to Gowdie's haunting legacy, leaving us to ponder the connection between her past actions and present-day apparition.

Historical Context

17th-century witch trials in Scotland

Location

Location Details

Location Type
Rural Area
Activity Types
Visual
Witness Credibility
Single Witness
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
1955
Postcode Area
IV9

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