Back

Explore every episode of the podcast Lights On Still Scared

Dive into the complete episode list for Lights On Still Scared. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.

Rows per page:

1–28 of 28

TitlePub. DateDuration
Episode 23 Haunted Objects Part 220 Oct 202600:49:57

A crystal ball from an old loft, a famously unsettling doll, and a Ouija-board table all raise the same question: can an object carry a presence or is there another explanation? Graham Milne and Karen Swanston swap eerie stories from Scotland and beyond, weighing reported experiences against folklore and the possibility of coincidence.

The episode ranges from recurring nightmares and a haunted mummy’s head to Robert the Doll in Key West. The hosts also share personal accounts involving a family heirloom doll, a supposedly cursed necklace, and reports of haunted clothing.

Image shows artist's interpretation.

Key Topics

[00:01:07] - A crystal ball found in a loft—and the nightmares that followed
[00:04:46] - Graham’s story of an old bottle and a disturbing dream
[00:06:05] - Strange activity at Aden Country Park, including a story about a mummy’s head
[00:09:58] - Robert the Doll: his history, reputation, and visitor etiquette
[00:20:39] - A Ouija-board table and a chilling story shared by folklorist Stanley Robertson
[00:29:27] - A doll-reading experiment and Karen’s family doll, Loopy Lou
[00:36:14] - The Loch Leven necklace and reports of its unsettling effects
[00:41:08] - Haunted clothing, including an Edwardian dress and stories of phantom jackets

Relevant Links

From haunted heirlooms to objects surrounded by local legend, these stories leave room for both scepticism and curiosity. If you’ve had an unexplained experience with an object—or a story about one—keep it respectful, keep asking questions, and, as the hosts say, keep the lights on.

Episode 22 Haunted Objects Part 113 Oct 202600:34:32

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston explore four unsettling haunted-object stories, from mass-produced paintings blamed for house fires to mysterious carved heads, a reportedly haunted mirror, and a bone said to bring misfortune. Along the way, they weigh the eerie legends against the ordinary explanations and unanswered questions behind them.

The stories span Britain, Louisiana, and Edinburgh, with reported apparitions, strange reflections, unexplained disturbances, and one very ill-advised souvenir. These are tales of folklore and reported experiences, not settled evidence and some of their details remain disputed.

Key Topics

[00:01:31] - The Crying Boy prints and Britain’s “blazing curse” scare
[00:07:20] - The legend of the boy said to be connected to the paintings
[00:09:20] - The newspaper bonfire and the curse’s supposed end
[00:11:24] - The Hexham Heads and reports of a werewolf-like visitor
[00:17:03] - The Myrtles Plantation mirror and its unsettling reflections
[00:20:00] - The alleged mummy’s curse at a house in Edinburgh
[00:27:42] - What happened to the bone—and a more recent reported sighting

Relevant Links

Graeme and Karen close with a promise to return for Haunted Objects Part Two. Until then, keep the lights on—and stay a little scared.

Episode 21 Ghost Pets Part 206 Oct 202600:40:09

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston return with more stories of phantom pets and spooky animals, from a spectral chicken in Highgate to cats that seem to return after death. This episode explores the strange, touching and occasionally amusing ways animals appear in ghost stories.

Hear reported encounters with ghostly cats, a huge red-eyed hound near Blairgowrie, a phantom dog at Edinburgh’s Witchery, and even a fish that reportedly reappeared after being flushed away. The hosts also revisit the tale of a supposed poltergeist in Tarves and the very human explanation behind it.

Key Topics

[00:01:41] - The phantom chicken of Highgate and the story linked to Francis Bacon
[00:05:56] - A witness’s account of a huge, red-eyed phantom hound near Blairgowrie
[00:09:09] - Ghost cats: unexplained sounds, moving toys and apparitions
[00:16:01] - A ghost dog at the Witchery, and the curious story of three hats
[00:20:29] - A llama’s reported visits after death and the phantom monkey at Culross Palace
[00:26:13] - The fish that allegedly returned to its aquarium after being flushed
[00:31:20] - The Tarves “poltergeist”—and the jackdaw behind the wall

Relevant Links

From loyal animal companions to eerie apparitions, these stories leave room for wonder—and for a healthy dose of skepticism. Keep the lights on, and stay scared.

Hosts: Graeme Milne and Garen Swanston.

Episode 20 Ghost Pets Part 129 Sep 202600:32:49

If you’ve ever wondered whether pets can leave a sign after they’re gone, this conversation explores some of the strangest and most comforting ghost pet stories people have shared. From a grieving dog owner seeing a possible visitation to animal encounters that seem to cross the line between memory and haunting, it’s a spooky-but-sweet look at how deeply we bond with the animals in our lives.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston share personal stories and reported paranormal encounters involving dogs, budgies, squirrels, and even an invisible creature in the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, they dig into the idea that animals may appear after death to reassure their people, often looking healthy, peaceful, or somehow “returned” to their best selves.

The episode also touches on grief, guilt, and the strange ways people interpret unexplained experiences when they’re missing a beloved pet. If you enjoy haunted animals, paranormal folklore, or personal ghost stories with a human heart, this one delivers plenty to think about.

Key Topics

[00:00:04] - Introduction to ghostly pets and haunted animals
[00:01:24] - The story of Sadie, a much-loved cocker spaniel
[00:02:20] - The porch conversation and the possible sign from Sadie
[00:04:33] - Graeme’s personal story about Tertia and a possible visit
[00:05:48] - A family account from Bodham involving strange animal footprints and attic noises
[00:11:25] - Karen’s childhood budgie Jimmy and the uncanny cuckoo clock moment
[00:16:58] - The phantom collie stories from Dumfriesshire
[00:19:49] - The squirrel story: Squiggy, the rainbow bridge, and a memorial figurine
[00:22:56] - The idea of spirits appearing without ailments or physical limitations
[00:24:23] - An invisible creature in Rothiemurchus Forest and the Big Grey Man folklore
[00:28:05] - Closing reflections and goodbye

Relevant Links
  • Rainbow Bridge concept: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow_Bridge_(pets)

  • The Big Grey Man of Ben Macdui: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Grey_Man_of_Ben_Macdui

  • Rothiemurchus Forest: https://www.rothiemurchus.net/

  • Cairngorms National Park: https://cairngorms.co.uk/

These stories range from tender to eerie, but they all circle back to the same idea: animals can leave a lasting imprint that doesn’t always feel finished when they’re gone. Whether you see these moments as coincidence, comfort, or something beyond explanation, the episode offers a thoughtful reminder of how powerful our connections with pets can be.

Sometimes the most unforgettable signs are the ones that arrive quietly.

Episode 19 Ghostly Hitchhikers Part 228 Sep 202600:30:49

Haunted hitchhiking stories take center stage in this eerie conversation, from faceless roadside apparitions to ghostly passengers who vanish from moving cars. If you’re drawn to phantom hitchhiker legends, roadside hauntings, and true ghost accounts with a local-history twist, this episode delivers plenty to keep you looking over your shoulder.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston revisit a mix of Scottish and English supernatural encounters, including the White Wife of Unst, the Gray Lady of Kinghorn, and a well-documented Bedfordshire sighting that made it into the newspapers. Along the way, they compare older folklore with contemporary witness reports, asking what happens when a story is repeated, recorded, and passed on through generations.

There’s also a fascinating detour into cinema, with a look at Return to Glennascaul, Orson Welles’ atmospheric short film inspired by ghostly road encounters. It’s a fitting companion piece to the real-life tales discussed here, and a great pick if you enjoy your hauntings with a side of classic black-and-white mystery.

Key Topics

[00:00:04] - Opening chat and introduction to more haunted hitchhiking stories
[00:01:28] - The faceless woman of Caterham Bypass, Surrey
[00:03:31] - The White Wife of Unst, Shetland: origins, sightings, and family second sight
[00:06:54] - A late-night encounter beside the loch and the “White Wife” legend in local reports
[00:08:16] - Three witnesses on Unst and the figure on the dark country road
[00:10:05] - Lincolnshire, 1918: the mysterious passenger and the drowned man
[00:12:16] - Orson Welles and Return to Glennascaul
[00:16:00] - Roy Fulton’s 1979 Bedfordshire phantom hitchhiker encounter
[00:19:43] - The Gray Lady of Kinghorn, Fife: bus stops, buses, and hotel hauntings
[00:26:06] - Closing thoughts and sign-off

Relevant Links
  • Return to Glennascaul (full film): https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Return+to+Glenascaul+Orson+Welles

  • Orson Welles biography: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Orson-Welles

  • Arthur C. Clarke’s World of Strange Powers: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke%27s_World_of_Strange_Powers

  • Phantom hitchhiker folklore overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_hitchhiker

  • Unst, Shetland: https://www.visit-shetland.com/places/unst

  • Kinghorn, Fife: https://www.visitfife.com/destinations/kinghorn/

This episode is a reminder that some of the best ghost stories begin on empty roads, after dark, with only a passing stranger for company. Whether you prefer folk legend, newspaper accounts, or cinematic hauntings, these stories blur the line between folklore and lived experience in a deeply unsettling way.

Keep the lights on for the next one.

Episode 18 Ghostly Hitchhikers Part 115 Sep 202600:33:31

Haunted hitchhikers have a way of turning an ordinary drive into something unforgettable. In this episode, Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston share a series of eerie roadside encounters, from phantom women and vanished passengers to stories that seem to repeat across different places and decades.

The conversation moves through classic ghost-lift folklore and regional legends, exploring why these stories persist, how they change in the retelling, and what makes them so unsettling: the wrongness of a stranger at the roadside, the cold in the car, the impossible disappearance, and the feeling that some roads never quite let go of the dead.

Along the way, they cover well-known accounts from Lincolnshire, Edinburgh, the Wirral, Peterhead, Somerset, and beyond, including a memorable story associated with Telly Savalas that blends celebrity, coincidence, and paranormal folklore into one of the most striking hitchhiker tales.

Key Topics

[00:01:15] - The Metheringham Lass: RAF Metheringham, the roadside apparition, and the legend’s chilling variations
[00:03:22] - The backstory of Katherine Bystock and the idea of a crisis apparition
[00:04:32] - The Edinburgh fireman’s story: a midnight pickup, strange conversation, and the childproof locks mystery
[00:08:17] - The White Lady of Dibbinsdale Bridge: nun, monk, drowning legend, and multiple ghostly forms
[00:11:20] - The alternate Dibbinsdale tale and the elderly cyclist who vanishes on the bridge
[00:12:39] - The Peterhead hitchhiker story and the jacket left at the graveside
[00:17:20] - Harry Unsworth and the A38 in Somerset: repeated encounters with the same hitchhiker
[00:21:18] - Telly Savalas and the ghost hitchhiker in New Jersey
[00:27:37] - The second encounter and the eerie connection to JFK’s assassination
[00:28:45] - Closing thoughts and sign-off

Relevant Links
  • RAF Metheringham: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RAF_Metheringham

  • Dibbinsdale Nature Reserve / area context: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dibbinsdale

  • Peterhead: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterhead

  • A38 road: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A38_road

  • Telly Savalas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telly_Savalas

  • Ghost stories and folklore archive (general reference): https://www.sacred-texts.com/fort/

  • YouTube search for the Telly Savalas hitchhiking story: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Telly+Savalas+hitchhiking+ghost+story

What makes these stories endure is their familiarity: a lonely road, a stranger in distress, and a moment that turns impossible. Whether told as local legend, personal testimony, or folklore handed down over time, the haunted hitchhiker remains one of the most compelling ghost stories because it feels just close enough to be true.

If you’ve ever driven a quiet road late at night, this episode may make you look twice at the shoulder — and wonder who, exactly, might still be waiting there.

Episode 17 Haunted Transport Part 208 Sep 202600:34:31

Haunted ships, eerie premonitions, and legendary transport disasters collide in this spooky conversation about why certain vehicles seem to carry a shadow with them. From the Titanic to a cursed-looking Porsche, the stories here explore the thin line between coincidence, intuition, and something far harder to explain.

Karen Swanston and Graham Milne dig into real-world maritime tragedy, reported hauntings, and infamous warnings that seemed to come true. Along the way, they ask the bigger question: are these just strange accidents and hindsight, or do some places and objects hold onto fear in ways we can still feel?

There’s also a chilling Scottish tale involving a stranded yacht and a spectral sailor, plus a powerful retelling of the Tay Bridge disaster and the eerie stories that grew around it. If you’re drawn to paranormal history, ghostly transport lore, and unexplained warnings, this one is packed with it.

Key Topics

[00:00:00] - Introduction to haunted transport stories and the Titanic
[00:01:09] - Titanic’s maiden voyage, collision, and sinking timeline
[00:02:35] - Ice warnings, wireless messages, and safety decisions
[00:04:26] - Ship design, flooding, and why the Titanic may have failed so quickly
[00:05:09] - Morgan Robertson’s Futility and eerie premonitions in fiction
[00:06:23] - Dreams, warnings, and passengers who sensed disaster before sailing
[00:07:35] - Titanic hauntings, museum reports, and paranormal claims tied to relics
[00:08:56] - The Silver Cloud incident off Fraserburgh and the young sailor apparition
[00:11:30] - The spirit’s warning and the connection to the Lancastria disaster
[00:13:51] - James Dean’s Porsche 550 Spyder and the “Little Bastard” legend
[00:16:20] - Alec Guinness’s warning and the fatal crash that followed
[00:19:19] - Rumors of curses around the wreck, parts, and later accidents
[00:22:11] - The Tay Bridge disaster and the man who avoided the doomed train
[00:26:59] - Later sightings of a phantom train near the Tay Bridge line
[00:28:53] - The story’s literary retelling and closing thoughts

Relevant Links List
  • Titanic history overview: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Titanic-ship

  • Titanic Belfast museum: https://titanicbelfast.com/

  • RMS Titanic Inc. / Titanic artifacts and recovery context: https://www.rmstitanicinc.com/

  • James Dean archive and biography: https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Dean

  • Porsche 550 Spyder background: https://www.porsche.com/international/accessoriesandservice/classic/models/550-spyder/

  • Tay Bridge disaster overview: https://www.scottish-places.info/features/featurefirst2099.html

  • National Records of Scotland: https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/

  • The Lancastria disaster history: https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-lancastria-disaster

  • Morgan Robertson’s Futility info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futility,_or_the_Wreck_of_the_Titan

  • White Star Line history: https://www.white-star.co.uk/

The episode closes with a recurring theme throughout the discussion: some disasters seem to leave a story behind them that outlives the event itself. Whether you interpret these moments as warnings, psychic impressions, or coincidence, the emotional weight of each story is unmistakable.

And if transport can carry more than people and cargo, maybe it can also carry memory.

Episode 16 Haunted Transport Part 101 Sep 202600:33:28

Haunted transport gets unsettling fast when old race tracks, phantom cars, and ghost coaches seem to linger long after the roads have changed. In this episode, Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston dig into stories where motion, memory, and tragedy appear to leave something behind.

They begin at Brooklands in Surrey, the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit and later a key site in British aviation history, before exploring the accidents, wartime damage, and ghostly reports tied to the track. From there, the conversation shifts to a former Inverness garage with multiple eyewitness accounts of strange vehicle activity and a mysterious figure in black.

The episode then crosses the Atlantic to the legend of the Golden Eagle, a supposedly haunted 1964 Dodge that reacts badly to disrespect and may have a very dark history. The discussion closes in Caithness, where a phantom coach is said to appear as an omen — sometimes with life-saving timing.

Key Topics

[00:00:00] - Welcome and introduction from Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston
[00:01:35] - Brooklands: Britain’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit
[00:03:30] - Brooklands’ aviation history and wartime bombing
[00:06:20] - Fatal crashes, racing danger, and the Lambert record attempt
[00:10:05] - Phantom racing cars, spectral drivers, and haunted houses at Brooklands
[00:14:00] - Inverness garage stories: phantom cars, a dark figure, and a ghostly horse
[00:19:00] - The Golden Eagle: a supposedly haunted Dodge in the United States
[00:23:15] - Christine comparisons and cursed-car folklore
[00:25:33] - Caithness phantom coach and the warning-at-the-cliff story
[00:28:33] - Closing thoughts and sign-off

Relevant Links

Brooklands Museum: https://www.brooklandsmuseum.com/
Brooklands history overview: https://www.britannica.com/place/Brooklands
Timespan Museum (Helmsdale): https://www.timespan.org.uk/
Christine (film reference): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085333/
Stephen King’s Christine: https://stephenking.com/works/novel/christine.html

Haunted transport stories often blur the line between folklore and memory, especially when places have seen real danger, loss, and dramatic change. Whether these accounts are echoes of history or something harder to explain, they make a strong case for keeping the lights on and staying curious.

Graeme and Karen’s conversation shows how local legends can grow around places where speed, machinery, and human risk were once part of everyday life. If you enjoy ghost stories rooted in real locations, this episode offers plenty to explore.

Episode 15 Timeslips Part 225 Aug 202600:35:07

From time slips in the Scottish Highlands to eerie scenes in Tudor and medieval landmarks, this episode explores some of the strangest reports of people seemingly stepping into another era. The stories move through silent villages, battlefield visions, and sudden glimpses of everyday life from the past — all without warning, and often in broad daylight.

Karen Swanston and Graham Meehan unpack a mix of witness accounts, historical context, and the lingering question at the heart of every story: were these shared hallucinations, misread surroundings, or genuine time slips?

You’ll hear about reports from Kersey, Torry Battery, Provost Skene’s House, Hampton Court Palace, and more — with each account offering a different kind of unsettling detail, from muffled sound and missing modern features to crowds in old-fashioned dress and silent marching armies.

Key Topics

[00:01:01] - Frank Smythe’s 1941 time slip account from the Scottish Highlands
[00:02:58] - The massacre vision near Loch Alsh and Glen Shiel
[00:05:00] - Kersey, Suffolk: the village that seemed to exist in another century
[00:06:06] - Royal Navy cadets and the silent, old-fashioned village atmosphere
[00:09:55] - Torry Battery in Aberdeen and the silent crowd of soldiers, women, and children
[00:13:27] - A recent roadside encounter with a possible Roman procession near Birmingham
[00:19:19] - Provost Skene’s House and the painted gallery time slip
[00:21:59] - Hampton Court Palace and repeated reports of Tudor-era activity
[00:25:24] - Battle time slips, drumming, and silent armies in Aberdeenshire
[00:29:41] - What’s coming next: haunted objects and future tours

Relevant Links
  • Hampton Court Palace: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/

  • Provost Skene’s House: https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/museums-and-galleries/provost-skenes-house

  • Kersey, Suffolk: https://www.kerseyparish.gov.uk/

  • The Scotsman archive: https://www.scotsman.com/

  • Historic Environment Scotland: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/

These stories suggest that time slips, if real, may be far less dramatic than fantasy usually makes them seem. Instead of thunderclaps and special effects, the most unsettling accounts are often ordinary moments: a village street, a palace corridor, a road at night, or a battlefield seen in perfect silence.

Whether you come for the history, the mystery, or the eerie atmosphere, this episode offers plenty to think about long after the lights go out.

Episode 14 Timeslips Part 118 Aug 202600:36:05

Time slips, ghost roads, and wartime echoes take center stage in this eerie discussion of reported supernatural encounters across the UK. From Roman soldiers in York to phantom battlefields and vanishing roads, these stories explore what happens when the past seems to break through into the present.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston compare some of the best-known time slip accounts, including firsthand witness testimony, historical context, and later research that appears to support parts of the sightings. The result is a mix of folklore, archaeology, and unresolved mystery that asks a simple question: are these places replaying history, or are people somehow stepping into it?

Along the way, the episode looks at cases that have become famous among paranormal researchers and ghost-story readers alike, with particular attention to reported visual details, consistency of testimony, and how location history may fit the accounts.

Episode 14 Timeslips Part 118 Aug 202600:36:05

Time slips, ghost roads, and wartime echoes take center stage in this eerie discussion of reported supernatural encounters across the UK. From Roman soldiers in York to phantom battlefields and vanishing roads, these stories explore what happens when the past seems to break through into the present.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston compare some of the best-known time slip accounts, including firsthand witness testimony, historical context, and later research that appears to support parts of the sightings. The result is a mix of folklore, archaeology, and unresolved mystery that asks a simple question: are these places replaying history, or are people somehow stepping into it?

Along the way, the episode looks at cases that have become famous among paranormal researchers and ghost-story readers alike, with particular attention to reported visual details, consistency of testimony, and how location history may fit the accounts.

Key Topics

[00:00:04] - Introduction to time slips and what they may be
[00:01:49] - Treasures House in York and the Roman military context
[00:03:06] - Harry Martindale’s 1953 Roman soldier encounter
[00:07:51] - Discussion of the York case and possible historical explanations
[00:08:50] - Dundee and the reported Dunnechtan battlefield time slip
[00:13:49] - The A21 “ghost road” and phantom lane reports
[00:17:37] - The A73 Kinmount Straight and multiple witness accounts
[00:21:38] - The 1962 haunting near Dumfries and Annan
[00:25:14] - Edgehill battlefield and echoes of the English Civil War
[00:30:29] - A personal encounter in Old Aberdeen
[00:31:21] - Closing thoughts and preview of Part 2

Relevant Links

National Trust – Treasurer’s House, York
Society for Psychical Research
York Minster
Edge Hill Battlefield
A21 road information
The Gazetteer of Scottish Ghosts

These stories blur the line between witness testimony and historical replay, but they all share the same unsettling feeling: the past may be far closer than we think. Whether you see them as hauntings, time slips, or something else entirely, the accounts in this episode leave plenty to ponder.

Thanks for listening, and stay tuned for Part 2, where the conversation continues with more haunted locations and unexplained encounters.

Episode 13 Haunted Roads Part 211 Aug 202600:27:11

 

Haunted roads can hold more than eerie legends, sometimes they seem to preserve the final moments of real people. In this episode, Karen Swanston and Graham Milne explore a series of ghostly road stories tied to the A3, the old Portsmouth Road, and other unsettling stretches of highway where tragedy, folklore, and unexplained sightings overlap.

From the infamous A3 “crash” that led police to a long-hidden vehicle, to the historic murder at Devil’s Punch Bowl and the grim legacy of Gibbet Hill, the discussion moves between documented history and encounters that feel like echoes of the past. Along the way, the hosts dig into apparitions, phantom figures, missing dashcam footage, and the strange question of whether some sightings are hauntings or something closer to a replay of trauma. 

Episode 13 Haunted Roads part 211 Aug 202600:27:11

Haunted roads can hold more than eerie legends, sometimes they seem to preserve the final moments of real people. In this episode, Karen Swanston and Graham Milne explore a series of ghostly road stories tied to the A3, the old Portsmouth Road, and other unsettling stretches of highway where tragedy, folklore, and unexplained sightings overlap.

From the infamous A3 “crash” that led police to a long-hidden vehicle, to the historic murder at Devil’s Punch Bowl and the grim legacy of Gibbet Hill, the discussion moves between documented history and encounters that feel like echoes of the past. Along the way, the hosts dig into apparitions, phantom figures, missing dashcam footage, and the strange question of whether some sightings are hauntings or something closer to a replay of trauma.

Key Topics

[00:00:00] - Introduction to haunted roads and the episode’s focus on unsettling roadside encounters
[00:01:00] - The A3 near Guildford: a reported crash that turned out to be a long-hidden vehicle
[00:03:16] - Christopher Brine Chandler’s disappearance and the discovery of human remains
[00:04:50] - Residual haunting vs. crisis apparition: what might explain the ghost car sighting?
[00:05:12] - The Devil’s Punch Bowl legend and the old A3 at Hindhead
[00:06:18] - The 1786 sailor murder near Thursley, Gibbet Hill, and the hanging of the killers
[00:08:24] - Gibbet Hill’s fearsome reputation, phantom coaches, and local superstition
[00:09:18] - The Celtic cross erected in 1851 and the 1945 aircraft disaster near Gibbett Hill
[00:10:17] - Highwayman Jerry Abershaw and other violent histories along the Portsmouth Road
[00:12:27] - Ghostly roadside figure on the A83 near Inveraray and Loch Gilp
[00:14:31] - Orpheus band story from Banff to Aberdeen: the figure in the road
[00:16:45] - Leatherhead dashcam encounter: the hitchhiker in the pale blue suit
[00:22:28] - Closing thoughts and a call for listener-submitted ghost stories

Relevant Links
  • A3 road overview: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A3_road

  • Devil’s Punch Bowl, Surrey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Punch_Bowl,_Surrey

  • Gibbet Hill, Surrey: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gibbet_Hill

  • Thursley, Surrey history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thursley

  • Portsmouth Road history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth_Road

  • Surrey History Centre: https://www.surreycc.gov.uk/culture-and-leisure/history-centre

  • Historic England listings search: https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/

  • UK road safety information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/road-safety

These stories show how haunted roads often sit at the intersection of memory, violence, and folklore. Some encounters may be easy to dismiss — until a witness describes details that later line up with real history, or a “ghost” vanishes from every camera frame.

If you’ve had an unexplained experience on a road, in a car, or near a place with a grim past, send it in — the next haunting may already be waiting to be told.

Episode 12 Haunted Roads Part 104 Aug 202600:33:06

Exploring haunted roads across Scotland and England, this episode dives into some of Britain’s most unsettling roadside legends, from vanishing hitchhikers to ghost cars, unexplained figures, and sightings that seem to leave more questions than answers.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston go on a tour through some of the best-known and strangest reports associated with the A229 at Blue Bell Hill, the M25, and the roads of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, the stories blur the line between tragedy, folklore, and the kind of encounters that drivers never forget.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain roads gather so many ghost stories or whether repeated sightings can be explained by history, memory, or something far stranger, this episode offers plenty to think about.

Key Topics

[00:01:23] - Blue Bell Hill and the ghost of the A229 in Kent
[00:02:36] - The 1965 car crash and the vanishing hitchhiker legend
[00:05:32] - Morris Goodenough’s encounter with a disappearing child
[00:06:40] - Further Blue Bell Hill sightings: the woman in light clothing and red headscarf
[00:09:02] - Phantom cars on the Isle of Skye
[00:11:16] - The old Austin, vanishing vehicles, and the “wee black car”
[00:15:02] - The M25 and strange roadside phenomena
[00:16:03] - The giant black cat near Chorleywood
[00:17:36] - The shadow man on Chorleywood Common
[00:20:08] - The spectral bride of South Mimms
[00:21:56] - The UFO sighting near the M25
[00:23:20] - Highland roadside visions and premonitions
[00:24:48] - The black car near Inverness and single-track road encounters
[00:26:52] - A family’s chilling ghost-car experience near Fort William

Relevant Links
  • Blue Bell Hill / A229: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Bell_Hill

  • M25 motorway: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M25_motorway

  • Isle of Skye: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isle_of_Skye

  • Secret Scotland: https://www.secretscotland.org.uk/

  • Peter Underwood, A Gazetteer of Scottish Ghosts: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1704519.A_Gazetteer_of_Scottish_Ghosts

  • A229 road information: https://www.roads.org.uk/road/a229

These stories show why haunted roads remain such a powerful part of folklore: they’re tied to real places, real losses, and reports that refuse to fade. Whether you lean toward superstition or skepticism, the recurring patterns — ghostly figures, phantom vehicles, sudden cold spots, and impossible disappearances — make these roads feel uniquely alive with memory.

If you have a haunted road story of your own, the hosts invite listeners to share it. More chilling journeys may be coming soon.

Episode 12 Haunted Roads04 Aug 202600:33:06

 

Exploring haunted roads across Scotland and England, this episode dives into some of Britain’s most unsettling roadside legends, from vanishing hitchhikers to ghost cars, unexplained figures, and sightings that seem to leave more questions than answers.

Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston go on a tour through some of the best-known and strangest reports associated with the A229 at Blue Bell Hill, the M25, and the roads of the Scottish Highlands. Along the way, the stories blur the line between tragedy, folklore, and the kind of encounters that drivers never forget.

If you’ve ever wondered why certain roads gather so many ghost stories or whether repeated sightings can be explained by history, memory, or something far stranger, this episode offers plenty to think about. 

Episode 11Haunted Theatres Part 228 Jul 202600:32:26

Haunted theatres have a way of turning performance history into something far stranger, and this conversation explores some of the most intriguing reports from Edinburgh, London, Aberdeen, and Kirkcaldy. From apparitions that seem to repeat the same route night after night to playful presences that nudge props and equipment backstage, these stories blur the line between folklore, memory, and the atmosphere of old performance spaces.

Along the way, the discussion touches on famous theatrical figures including the Man in Grey, Charles Macklin, Joseph Grimaldi, Tommy Cooper, and Al Jolson—along with the idea that some theatres treat their resident ghosts less like threats and more like a peculiar kind of good luck. There’s also a personal look at visiting old venues, the feeling of cold spots in derelict buildings, and how a theatre’s history can make even the most ordinary corner feel charged with something unseen. 

Haunted Theatres Part 228 Jul 202600:32:27

Haunted theatres have a way of turning performance history into something far stranger, and this conversation explores some of the most intriguing reports from Edinburgh, London, Aberdeen, and Kirkcaldy. From apparitions that seem to repeat the same route night after night to playful presences that nudge props and equipment backstage, these stories blur the line between folklore, memory, and the atmosphere of old performance spaces.

Along the way, the discussion touches on famous theatrical figures including the Man in Grey, Charles Macklin, Joseph Grimaldi, Tommy Cooper, and Al Jolson—along with the idea that some theatres treat their resident ghosts less like threats and more like a peculiar kind of good luck. There’s also a personal look at visiting old venues, the feeling of cold spots in derelict buildings, and how a theatre’s history can make even the most ordinary corner feel charged with something unseen.

Key Topics

[00:00:11] - Haunted theatres part two begins with a story from Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre
[00:02:10] - A patron reportedly becomes lost in a familiar building and sees a woman in old-fashioned clothing
[00:05:08] - Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s long history and its reputation for good-luck hauntings
[00:06:04] - The Man in Grey, the theatre’s best-known ghostly figure
[00:07:45] - The discovery of a skeleton hidden in the wall near the ghost’s route
[00:08:14] - Charles Macklin, the backstage altercation, and his alleged lingering presence
[00:11:31] - Joseph Grimaldi’s legacy and his kinder, protective ghost stories
[00:14:29] - Aberdeen’s Tivoli Theatre, its restoration, and the blue-clad figure linked to Florrie Ford
[00:21:04] - Tommy Cooper’s collapse on live television and the reported mischief at His Majesty’s Theatre
[00:25:10] - Kirkcaldy’s Adam Smith Centre and the sighting of Al Jolson in the dressing room

Relevant Links

https://www.edtheatres.com/kingstheatre
https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/theatre-royal-drury-lane/
https://www.hmt.co.uk/
https://www.thetivoliaberdeen.com/
https://www.adamsmiththeatre.com/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Cooper
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Grimaldi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Jolson

These stories suggest that theatres may hold onto more than applause and performance—they can also preserve old routines, old emotions, and old reputations that never quite leave the stage. Whether the hauntings are symbolic, atmospheric, or genuinely paranormal, the recurring theme is the same: these spaces feel alive long after the audience has gone home.

If you enjoy ghost stories rooted in real places and theatrical history, this episode offers plenty to explore. The next instalment turns toward phantom roads and spooky transport—where the journey itself may be the haunting.

Episode 10 Haunted Theatres Part 123 Jul 202600:38:33

 

Episode 10: Haunted Theatres 

When the audience has gone home and the stage lights have faded, are Britain’s theatres ever truly empty? 

In this episode, Karen and Graeme step behind the curtain to explore some of the ghost stories associated with Britain’s historic theatres. From unexplained footsteps and shadowy figures to mysterious reflections and performers who may never have taken their final bow, they examine the history, tragedy and theatrical folklore behind these reported hauntings. 

Why do theatres seem to attract so much paranormal activity? Could centuries of powerful performances and heightened emotion leave an impression upon a building—or do people working in the theatre simply enjoy a good ghost story? 

Expect haunted dressing rooms, spectral performers and the usual mixture of serious discussion and occasional distraction. 

We take the stories seriously. Ourselves? Less so. 

Episode 10 Haunted Theatres Part 121 Jul 202600:38:34

Haunted theatres, ghostly backstage encounters, and a few very human legends come together in this episode as Graeme Milne and Karen Swanston dig into some of Britain’s most reported paranormal playhouses. From elegant old venues to modern concrete institutions, the stories here range from affectionate apparitions to unsettling empty corridors, unexplained footsteps, and a few famous names who seem to have stayed on after the curtain fell.

You’ll hear first hand-style accounts and folklore around the London Palladium, Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre, Sunderland Empire, the old BBC Scotland HQ on Culduthel Road, and London’s Royal National Theatre. Along the way, the conversation explores why theatres so often collect ghost stories: long histories, strong emotions, backstage superstitions, and the eerie atmosphere of buildings that are often empty when everyone else has gone home.

This is part one of a two-part look at haunted theatres, and it balances spooky detail with the hosts’ familiar humour, making it as much about theatre culture and memory as it is about the paranormal.

Key Topics

[00:00:03] - Introduction to haunted theatres and the episode’s focus
[00:01:24] - The London Palladium: the woman on the stairs and Bruce Forsyth’s lingering presence
[00:05:54] - Aberdeen’s His Majesty’s Theatre: the tragic 1942 lift accident and “Jake” the ghost
[00:15:37] - Sunderland Empire Theatre: Sid James’s death on stage and the famous dressing-room haunting
[00:23:33] - BBC Scotland HQ on Culduthel Road: grey lady sightings, screams, and poltergeist activity
[00:26:54] - Royal National Theatre: shadow figures, moving trolleys, and ghost light traditions
[00:33:59] - Closing thoughts and what to expect in Haunted Theatres Part Two

Relevant Links
  • London Palladium: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/theatres/london-palladium/

  • His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen: https://www.aberdeenperformingarts.com/venues/his-majestys-theatre/

  • Sunderland Empire: https://www.sunderlandempire.co.uk/

  • National Theatre: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/

  • Bruce Forsyth (Britannica): https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bruce-Forsyth

  • Sid James (Britannica): https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sid-James

The episode leaves you with a simple question: are theatres haunted because of the stories people tell about them, or because so much life, performance, and emotion gets left behind in their walls?

Either way, the next time the house lights go down and the stage goes quiet, it may be worth checking the wings, the dressing rooms, and the empty seats one more time.

Episode 9 Haunted Houses Part 214 Jul 202601:23:32

Episode 9 HAUNTED HOUSES: PART 2

Just when you thought it was safe to turn the lights off...

We're back with another collection of chilling tales in Haunted Houses – Part 2.

This week, we ask some very important questions...

Why was Karen talking about an 80s pop group?

Who—or what—was knocking at Granny's house?

Which haunted home has left investigators scratching their heads for decades?

And what other strange encounters await behind closed doors?

As always, we'll be sharing a mixture of famous hauntings, lesser-known cases, and some of our own experiences, with plenty of laughs along the way.

So grab a drink, dim the lights (or leave them on—we won't judge!), and join us for another journey into the unexplained.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or visit our website for all listening links.

Have you ever heard unexplained knocking, footsteps, or voices in your own home? Tell us in the comments or send us your story through our website—you could feature in a future episode!

lightsonstillscared.com/episodes

Episode 8 Haunted Houses07 Jul 202601:14:48

 

Episode 9 – Haunted Houses

What is it about an ordinary house that can become the setting for extraordinary fear?

In Episode 8 of Lights On, Still Scared, Karen and Graeme step inside some of the world's most chilling haunted homes. From grand manor houses and isolated farmhouses to seemingly ordinary suburban properties, they explore the places where people claim the paranormal has made itself at home.

But this episode isn't just about famous cases. Karen and Graeme also share some of their own personal experiences inside allegedly haunted houses—moments that have stayed with them long after they walked back out of the front door. From unexplained noises and unsettling atmospheres to encounters that still leave them questioning what really happened, they reveal the stories they don't often tell.

Expect tales of shadow figures watching from the staircase, phantom footsteps echoing through empty rooms, mysterious knocks in the dead of night, objects moving without explanation, and families convinced they are sharing their homes with something they cannot see.

Are these experiences evidence of lingering spirits, echoes of the past, or simply the power of suggestion? Join us as we unlock the front door and discover why sometimes the scariest places aren't castles or abandoned asylums... they're the homes people still live in.

So switch the lights on... because after this episode, you may never look at your own house in quite the same way. 

Episode 7 Into Edinburgh's Darkness with Special Guest John Tantalon30 Jun 202600:59:47

This week on Lights On, Still Scared, we're joined by our first special guest, John Tantalon, creator of North Edinburgh Nightmares, paranormal investigator, storyteller, and one of Edinburgh's best-known voices on the city's haunted history.

In this special episode, Graeme sits down with John to explore Edinburgh's darker side, discussing the ghost stories, forgotten legends and unexplained encounters that continue to fascinate both locals and visitors. From haunted closes and ancient graveyards to chilling eyewitness accounts and the city's most infamous paranormal locations, John shares the stories and experiences that have shaped his own journey into the unexplained.

Karen joins the conversation throughout, listening in and offering the occasional insight from her perspective, making this feel like an evening spent around the table sharing ghost stories with friends.

Together, the discussion explores why Edinburgh has become known as one of the world's most haunted cities, how folklore and history often intertwine, and why so many people continue to report strange experiences centuries after the events that inspired the legends.

Whether you're fascinated by the paranormal, passionate about Scottish history, or simply enjoy a good ghost story, this episode offers a fascinating conversation filled with mystery, humour, and a genuine love of Edinburgh's rich and haunted heritage.

So dim the lights, settle in, and join us for an evening exploring the stories that still linger in the shadows.

Because in Edinburgh... history is never really buried.

Episode 6 Haunted Palace & Castles Continues23 Jun 202600:56:49


Lights On, Still Scared – Episode 6: Haunted Castles & Palaces (Part 2)

The ghosts are still rattling the chains, and we're not finished exploring Britain's most haunted historic buildings just yet.

In Part 2 of our journey through haunted castles and palaces, Karen and Graeme uncover even more chilling tales from some of the UK's most legendary locations. From phantom nobles and tragic queens to mysterious apparitions seen by staff and visitors alike, we delve into the stories that refuse to stay buried.

Why do so many ancient fortresses seem to attract reports of paranormal activity? Are these simply echoes of violent histories, or could something more sinister still linger within their stone walls?

Join us as we explore centuries of murder, betrayal, imprisonment, and unexplained encounters from Britain's most iconic royal residences and strongholds. Expect ghostly sightings, strange legends, historical mysteries, and plenty of discussion along the way.

So lock the gates, light the torches, and settle in for another night of haunted history.

Because when the lights go out, some residents never really leave... 👻🏰

#LightsOnStillScared #HauntedCastles #HauntedPalaces #GhostStories #ParanormalPodcast #BritishGhosts #HistoryAndHauntings #KeepTheLightsOn



Episode 5 Haunted Castles & Palaces16 Jun 202600:47:39

Episode 5: Haunted Castles & Palaces

From royal residences to ancient strongholds, castles and palaces have witnessed centuries of triumph, betrayal, imprisonment, execution, and tragedy. Is it any wonder that so many are said to be haunted?

In this episode of Lights On, Still Scared, Karen and Graeme explore some of the most fascinating haunted castles and palaces in the UK and beyond. From phantom queens and headless nobles to mysterious apparitions that continue to walk ancient corridors, we uncover the history, legends, and ghostly encounters linked to these remarkable locations.

Join us as we delve into tales from some of the world's most famous royal residences and medieval fortresses, examining the stories that have endured for generations. Are these simply legends born from history, or could something still linger within these ancient walls?

Turn the lights on if you must... but prepare to be still scared.

Episode 4 More Haunted Tales From Edinburgh09 Jun 202600:36:26

The shadows of Edinburgh still have stories to tell. In Episode 4 of Lights On, Still Scared, we continue our journey through the city's haunted history, exploring more chilling legends, ghostly encounters, and unexplained mysteries that have lingered through the centuries. From eerie closes and ancient graveyards to restless spirits said to roam the capital's historic streets, these tales remind us why Edinburgh remains one of the world's most haunted cities.

So dim the lights, settle in, and join us for another collection of spine-tingling stories that prove some legends never truly die. Will you make it to the end with the lights still on? 

Episode 2 Our Hometowns Leatherhead & Aberdeen Part 226 May 202600:51:01

Episode 2 continues our journey into the strange and unsettling stories surrounding Leatherhead and Aberdeen.

From eerie encounters in quiet streets and shadowy pathways… to chilling experiences that still can’t be explained… the stories only get darker from here.

What was the dripping figure seen inside a block of flats?
 Why do some people believe something still lingers near the old buildings of Aberdeen?
 And which terrifying encounter left us genuinely shaken?

Join us as we uncover more paranormal tales, ghostly sightings, and bizarre experiences that will make you think twice before turning the lights off.

🎧 Lights On… Still Scared — Episode 2.

Keep the lights on.

Episode 1 Our Hometowns Leatherhead & Aberdeen18 May 202600:53:39

In this debut episode, we dive into the eerie legends, ghost stories, and unexplained happenings from our hometowns of Leatherhead and Aberdeen. From shadowy figures and haunted buildings to local myths whispered for generations, we uncover the chilling tales that made us sleep with one eye open growing up.

Expect creepy history, personal stories, and the kind of hometown hauntings that hit differently when they happened right where you live. So grab a blanket, keep the lights on, and join us for a night of local legends and real fear.

Episode 3 Haunted Edinburgh: Beautiful By Day Haunted By Night05 May 202600:44:33

In this episode of Lights On, Still Scared, we journey to the historic streets of Edinburgh, a city often described as one of the most haunted places in the world. A place where we now call home.

From the shadowy closes of the Old Town to the infamous underground vaults, we explore the chilling legends, ghostly encounters, and dark history that have earned Edinburgh its supernatural reputation. Along the way, we share some of the city's most unsettling hauntings, eyewitness accounts, and paranormal tales that continue to intrigue visitors and locals alike.

We'll also discuss some of our own experiences and thoughts on the paranormal, examining what draws us to these stories and whether there may be more to them than mere folklore.

So dim the lights, settle in, and join us as we uncover the haunted heart of Scotland's capital.

Are the ghosts of Edinburgh simply stories from the past, or do some spirits still walk its ancient streets?

🎙️ Lights On, Still Scared — because some stories stay with you long after the lights come back on.

© My Podcast Data · Independent project · Data from Apple & Spotify