The Paranormal Digest for Jan 17, 2026

The spotlight shines on spooky Scotland

While I tend to span the globe looking for spooky stuff each week, I am, for the most part, sticking to my home nation of Scotland this time around. We will be heading to the capital city for some of it, while also making a trip to another part of the world for our creepy cryptid of the week. Without further ado, let’s get to the stories you are all here for.

Haunted Location - Edinburgh Castle

I have been to the castle on a number of different occasions, and while I have never seen anything strange there, I must confess that it has a definite vibe. I think it would feel very different at night. The castle is still home to the Black Watch regiment, and many of the ghosts there are military personnel. You have a headless drummer boy, a bagpiper lost in the tunnels, a gray lady, and even a dog, which has been spotted in the pet cemetery that is part of the castle. Even if you don’t see any of these spectres, it is still a great place to visit.

Urban Legend - The Hand of Glory

This particular legend is present in several parts of Europe, and while the details change from place to place, the main part of the story is still the same. The Hand of Glory is a severed hand that is then used as a candle for those with nefarious intent, usually robbers. The flame of the candle is said to freeze anyone trying to stop the robbers from carrying out their misdeeds. No surprise that the candle is also heavily linked to witchcraft.

Cryptid of the Week - El Cuero

This is one of the stranger things I have heard about, as this Chilean cryptid is not really described as an animal, as so many others are. Instead, it is a large piece of leathery hide than lingers near the edge of waterways, waiting for animals, or people, to come close. When they do, it wraps itself around the victim and drags them into the water.

Video of the Week - The Ghosts of Edinburgh Castle

Some of the videos I post are usually on the longer side of things, but at just 6 minutes, this video from Scotland Unplugged delivers more than enough info on the ghosts that roam one of the most haunted locations in all of Scotland.

Horror Book of the Week - Maggie’s Grave by David Sodergren

There are a ton of great Scottish authors out there, and no, I am not conceited enough to name myself as one of them. Sodergren, though, is one of my favorites, and not just because he is a fellow Scot. If you have not read his work, Maggie’s Grave is a fabulous starting point in his impressive catalog.

Weekly Drabble - The Hearse

The driver is moving ever so slowly, but that is okay, as I have nowhere to be. I reached what I believed to be my final destination some time ago, but alas, I seem doomed to make this ride for eternity.

Sometimes, as I gaze out the small rectangular windows, I see people on the street spot me. They will generally frown, shake their heads, and move on.

I will never be fully seen again, destined to be little more than something seen out the corner of an eye. I wasn’t fully dead the first time, so I remain stuck.

Random Weirdness - The Ghost Car of Skye

We finish up this weekend back in Scotland. This time, we head to the Isle of Skye to talk about a ghost car that has been seen neat the A87 road. The vehicle in question is a 1930s style Austin zooming along at a high rate of speed, headlights unnaturally bright. Police officers are among the witnesses of the vehicle, with some eyewitnesses also saying they pulled over to let the car pass, only for it to vanish before reaching them.

I hope you all enjoyed this visit to Scotland and other parts of the world this week. Where will our paranormal journey take us next Saturday. You are all going to need to come back to find out.